Exmoor ponies to make return
ANIMALS HELP IMPROVE MEADOWS SITE – BUT VISITORS ARE REMINDED NOT TO FEED THEM
Picturesque ponies are set to return to a Wearside nature spot for the winter, it has been announced by wildlife bosses.
Durham Wildlife Trust’s (DWT) Exmoor ponies have begun to return to the organisation’s headquarters at Rainton Meadows, near Houghton, to spend the cold months, having done an excellent conservation job in recent months.
DWT brought in the ponies to graze on a number of its nature reserves because their method of grazing is good for wildlife habitats.
Their ability to graze on encroaching rank grasses and tendency to browse means that they naturally improve the species diversity of the sites they inhabit.
One of the biggest summer tasks for volunteer teams is the cutting and raking of wildflower meadows, but a conservation grazing programme meant the potrust’s nies did the work, enabling volunteers to focus on other essential conservation tasks.
Durham Wildlife Trust identified eight reserves on whichtheponiescouldgraze, including sites throughout County Durham and at the two visitor centres, Low Barns near Witton-lewear and Rainton Meadows.
Now, the ponies are returning to Rainton Meadows for the winter.
Mark Dinning, from the trust, said: “The past few months have seen the ponies based across our nature reserves, keeping grasslands in good condition. They have done a terrific job.
“Members of the public are being advised if they intend to go to Rainton Meadows to see the ponies, they are not domestic animals.
“It is asked that visitors do not feed them as it isn’t good for their health and they may bite.”