Devil's Dyke Restoration Project

Restoration Project

The Devil's Dyke was traditionally managed by sheep grazing. This helped to maintain the open, species-rich chalk grassland habitat that supports so many flowers and insects. However, during the 20th century grazing began to decline. This allowed scrub to start to dominate parts of the Dyke and shade out the chalk grassland. Today, Devil's Dyke is managed in a way that aims to protect and extend the rare grassland habitat and its associated wildlife.	Galley Hill (photo: Cambridge Evening News) click to enlarge
Between 2002 and 2007, the five year Heritage Lottery Funded Restoration Project started the process of restoring the site to its former glory and ensuring that the future management of the site is possible by establishing long-term management practices that are financially sustainable. Dense scrub can damage archaeology as well as reducing areas of open grassland. So by clearing back the scrub, we have enabled future generations to be able to appreciate the monument and its grassland.	Ditch Farm (photo: James Fisher) click to enlarge
Where areas have been cleared of scrub, the resulting bare banks are vulnerable to erosion. So locally sourced grass seed was applied to stabilise the slopes. 'Hydro-seeding' is a technique more often used on new road verges and has proved to be a practical way of applying seed to Devil's Dyke's steep banks. Mowing and grazing of the recently seeded banks helps to encourage the grasses and herbs and reduce the more aggressive annual species.	Hydro-seeding (photo: James Fisher) click to enlarge
Grazing animals encourage the wildflowers and herbs to flourish whilst keeping young scrub and weeds at bay. Several sections of the Dyke that are owned by Cambridgeshire County Council have been entered into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and this has allowed grazing to take place. Elsewhere on the Dyke, graziers have been encouraged by the Restoration Project to put livestock onto the recently fenced areas. On some sections of the Dyke where grazing is not possible, such as adjacent to Newmarket Racecourse, a new more wildlife friendly mowing regime has been put in place with the support of the landowner.	Ditch Farm (photo: James Fisher) click to enlarge
Monitoring of vegetation, insects and other key species ensures that the Dyke is managed appropriately. Areas of shrubs are retained on the banks in order to provide suitable habitat and cover for birds and insects. Hedgerows on either side of the Dyke act as wildlife corridors and as a buffer to surrounding arable land.	Contractors Burning (photo: James Fisher) click to enlarge
The southern section of the Dyke is mature woodland. This is to be maintained with some areas of hazel being traditionally coppiced on rotation. Mature trees are also being managed where they are a Health and Safety concern or threaten the integrity of the ancient monument. Access to the Dyke has been improved by installing steps on some of the more steep, slippery slopes. Stiles have been replaced with gates to improve access. Finger posts and waymarkers were replaced and paths well maintained. Interpretation panels have also been installed at appropriate points.	Sheep Grazing (photo: Helen Patterson) click to enlarge
Today we are working with landowners and managers to manage the Dyke in a more sustainable way with sheep grazing or mowing regimes established over the majority of the length of the Dyke.	New Hedge (photo: James Fisher) click to enlarge

Quadrat Monitoring (photo: Ian Nicoll) click to enlarge

Tractor Cutting (photo: James Fisher) click to enlarge

Quadrat (photo: Ian Nicoll) click to enlarge