Crowds gathered around a small herd of cattle at Tolworth Court Farm ahead of a landmark scheme to reintroduce grazing animals to improve the biodiversity of the borough's largest nature reserve.

Dozens braved the drizzle yesterday, Monday 15 July, to celebrate the return of cattle to the nature reserve for the first time in half a century.

In grazing on the site's grasses, the animals help clear room for less competitive plants to grow, including smaller flowers that benefit nearby insect populations.

Crowds look on at Tolworth Court Farm's three latest visitors before setting off on a tour of the site. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

The tour was well-attended despite the disappointing July weather. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

The three cows – Gerty, Bilbo, and an unnamed male affectionately called 'Tibuk', or TBC by handler Shaun – only visited the site for the day, but there is a concerted effort to settle a larger group there permanently.

Elliot Newton, Kingston Council's Biodiversity Officer, heads a number of rewilding initiatives around Tolworth Court Farm, and says he wants to introduce "at least 12" cattle to Tolworth Court Farms before the end of the year. The scheme is the first of its kind in London.

"We're challenging the perception of biodiversity in our urban spaces [...] we're raising the bar," he explains.

'I must confess, I'm slightly scared of cows,' says Kingston Mayor Liz Green as she faces her fears with the help of Gerty. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

A triumphant retreat back to safety. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

Mr Newton is not alone in his work. Social enterprise Citizen Zoo and Kingston-based non-profit The Community Brain are helping to not only improve the biodiversity of the area, but also establish it as a green space for local residents to visit and enjoy.

This includes the creation of new entrances by students from Kingston University, nature-themed public art around Tolworth, and historical walking routes through the area.

Digby Wheeler, an urban rewilding officer from Citizen Zoo, says the organisation is "really excited about how the site will transform," describing it as "our flagship site".

Once established, the cattle will be rotated across different sections of the reserve regularly to ensure proper management of its grasslands.

Mr Newton is aiming to have 'at least 12' cattle grazing the site by the end of the year. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

Alongside cows, the project's nearly £400k of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Mayor's Rewild London Fund will be used to help restore the historic ecology of Tolworth Court Farm, bringing in other animals like pigs as well as reestablishing the natural route of the Hogsmill River and its wetland habitats.

More information on the ongoing rewilding efforts around Tolworth Court Farm can be found on Citizen Zoo's website here.