Here
on the North Cornwall coast the Holywell to Tintagel ranger team
recently took delivery of nine beautiful Dartmoor ponies, including
three foals born earlier in the year. They seemed delighted to have
arrived when they completed their journey, instantly galloping around
and exploring the picturesque territory of their seaside winter
vacation.
Several
of the ponies have returned here from last year, where they
previously grazed over the winter months. They are to be found on the
cliffs at either Epphaven or Doyden (they alternate between the
neighbouring locations), where they help to reduce and control scrub
such as gorse, brambles and blackthorn. This is part of an ongoing
scheme that has already spanned almost a decade, with the dual
purpose of providing an environmentally friendly (and cheap!) method
of keeping the scrub down, whilst at the same time creating and
enhancing a habitat suitable for wild flowers to flourish within, and
a whole host of associated insects and birds.
Jon Gardner
(FTV Ranger Holywell to Tintagel)
