A LAKE District herd of Albion cattle have had a busy transfer window helping to safeguard the breed.

Over the winter 23 went to homes across the country and a new bull and 13 expected arrivals are welcome additions to the herd at High Lickbarrow Farm, near Windermere.

The farm was gifted to the National Trust in October 2015 following the death of Michael Bottomley.

Directly managed by trust staff it is the charity’s only ‘in-hand’ farm in the north of England.

Surrounded by housing, the land is full of wildflower-rich pastures, abundant bird song and becks with native white-clawed crayfish. The farm is also home to a rare herd of 18 Albion breeding cattle and one bull, making it the largest in the country and central to the breed’s survival.

Farm manager and countryside ranger John Pring explained what has been keeping him and his rangers busy:

“In the last year we have been getting to know the land and producing a plan to look after it,” he said. “We had a busy winter reducing the herd to numbers which the farm grassland can support while being good for nature. The busy transfer window saw 10 cows, 12 calves and one bull sent to conservation graziers and breed enthusiasts to set up new herds and expand existing ones in West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Cornwall and Cheshire.

“We are pleased to welcome a new 22-month-old bull, Ironstone Blue John from a farm in Leicestershire. He will be siring the next generation of the herd and we look forward to seeing the results.

“With winter over, the cows are back on the land grazing at High Lickbarrow and Moorhow, helping to conserve the incredible wildlife. Calving has started and we have welcomed five blue heifers and six bulls, with two on more on their way.

“Other additions include a barn owl and a kestrel. An otter has been spotted in the beck, which is great news unless you happen to be one of the many native crayfish living there.”