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Ponies Trample to Aid Wildflowers
19 Oct
Summary
- Fell ponies graze and crush vegetation to help delicate flowers thrive.
- Grazing aids rare wildflowers, crucial food for Marsh Fritillary butterflies.
- Native breeds like Cumbrian Fell Ponies mimic ancient wild herbivores.
Conservation efforts in Swindale Valley are being boosted by the introduction of two Cumbrian fell ponies, William and Jasper. These native breeds are ideally suited to the rugged terrain and are crucial for managing dominant vegetation. Their grazing and trampling help to crush rushes and coarse grasses, creating space for delicate wildflowers to grow.
This project, managed by RSPB Wild Haweswater, specifically benefits wildflowers like Devil's Bit Scabious. This plant is the essential food source for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly. This species was nearly extinct in Cumbria in the early 2000s but has since made a notable comeback, thanks in part to these conservation grazing initiatives.
The ponies are part of a larger herd, and their grazing behaviour is said to emulate wild herbivores that roamed the UK thousands of years ago. They live outdoors, drinking from natural water sources and sheltering from the weather. Their natural hardiness means they require minimal intervention, with their hooves wearing down naturally on the rough ground.
Christine Robinson from the Fell Pony Society highlights the underappreciated utility of fell ponies in conservation grazing. Landowners working with the society have seen positive results, including increased plant and invertebrate diversity, which in turn supports a greater variety of bird species.
