Donkeys benefit from wildlife haven

In 2022, the herd of donkeys who provide donkey-assisted activities at the sanctuary were given access to the area as part of their enrichment, and just one year on their browsing and grazing have helped it develop into a rich haven for wildflowers and wildlife.

The meadow, known as Bee Field, was initially sown with wildflower seeds ten years ago. Today there is an abundance of wildflowers, including knapweed, lady’s bedstraw, common vetch, yellow rattle and orchids, which in turn support an array of invertebrates, birds and bats.

This combination of flower-rich, tussocky grassland and big scrubby hedgerows create an environment for a range of species to nest, shelter and forage for food.

Donkeys are also benefiting from the diverse environment and seem to enjoy foraging among the variety of plant species.

Craig Dunton, Ecology and Conservation Officer at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “It is certainly interesting to watch how the donkeys behave when they enter the field. As well as providing a range of different grasses and flowers to eat, the area provides a selection of shrubs and scrubby material.

“Amazingly, they seem to love chewing on the prickly shrubs and plants, including thistles, and some of them seem to have their nose in the hedge the whole time! Access to this kind of environment not only provides them with an additional range of nutrients and minerals, but also provides them with opportunities to express natural foraging and browsing behaviours.”

Some of the plants found in Bee Field, such as cock’s-foot, ribwort plantain and dandelion, have deep roots, which means they provide a range of benefits including improved drought and flood tolerance, less compaction and increased soil health.

The natural action of the donkeys’ hooves and their foraging behaviour creates space and light for more delicate grasses and less competitive wildflowers to establish, further increasing the diversity of the meadow. They also help disperse the seeds as they move around.

The donkeys who graze here take part in the sanctuary’s Donkey Assisted Activities programme. These ground-based activities support people’s self-development and wellbeing, helping individuals to better deal with challenging and stressful situations in everyday life, while also promoting positive attitudes towards donkeys.

In turn, the Bee Field provides the herd with a valuable source of suitable food and essential enrichment, which allows them to forage and browse more naturally.

Lauriel Woodley, Centre Manager for the Donkey-Assisted Activities centre, said: “Our donkeys love spending time exploring the more varied grazing this area provides. We also use it as a location for enrichment walks, where we see the donkeys browsing different species as they walk alongside the hedgerow.

“Our staff, clients and volunteers all enjoy the peace and tranquillity the Bee Field provides and, living up to its name, we have certainly noticed it has become a little haven for wildlife, particularly bees and butterflies!”