Grazing on the Commons – August 2024
The following message is from Andy Mitchell, Countryside Officer:
- Lane End Common – Cattle currently grazing
- Red House Common – Exmoor ponies currently grazing – the 4 ponies will be joined on 5th August by a further 3 ponies making 7 in total. No cattle are currently grazing Red House Common.
- Memorial, Pound and Romany Ridge Commons – Cattle currently grazing
Several people have contacted me about ragwort which is growing well on the commons this year. We are aware of the risk to livestock if they eat it but as it is unpalatable to them and there is plenty of alternative grazing, the risk to them is minimal. Please do not pull ragwort and leave it on the common as the cut plant becomes palatable once dry.
Please let me know if any are signs are missing. Please also report any issues with gates or fences to me and do reply to me if you no longer wish to receive update emails.
If there are any problems with the cattle, please report this to the farmer directly on 07710 031820.
And a reminder that fly-tipping is dealt with by Lewes District Council along with litter, dog nuisance, car parks or bins – please contact them directly here: https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/report-a-problem/
If you see a dead animal on the commons or roads such as a deer please report it here Report a dead animal in the Lewes district – Lewes and Eastbourne Councils (lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk)
Please keep dogs under control so they don’t chase or worry the livestock. Dog fouling remains an issue – and Neospora is a parasite that causes cattle to abort calves. Please clean up after dogs and don’t allow them into the cattle troughs, this water is for drinking only.
