DARTMOOR PONIES ARRIVE AT DUNWICH

The Dartmoor ponies, managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, will graze the 700 acre northern section of Dunwich Forest which is owned by the Forestry Commission. One of the UK’s rare native breeds, Dartmoors are hardy and will be well suited to life in the forest. Their grazing will be an important management tool in the creation of a New Forest style landscape. The Forestry Commission will manage the transition from conifer plantation to broadleaved woodland.

Fencing has been replaced around the perimeter of the area to secure stock. However the forest will remain freely accessible to the public and horse riders via kissing gates and bridle gates.  The southern area will be managed by the RSPB with the aim of reinstating natural heathland on several conifer plots as trees are felled.

The project is part of a wider initiative involving Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Forestry Commission, the RSPB and Suffolk Coast & Heaths Unit to create a network of habitats that will provide a vital link between adjoining reedbeds and heathland, increasing the connectivity of wildlife habitat in a part of Suffolk identified for its rich natural variety. Species to benefit include woodlark, nightjar, green tiger beetle, silver studded blue butterfly and barbastelle bat. The Dunwich Forest project is part of the Trust’s Living Landscapes* initiative.

The new project will also benefit people by improving access and creating more diversity within the natural landscape thus enhancing the visitor’s experience of this part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. The venture is being supported by the SITA Trust which is providing £85,000 towards the £163,000 project through its Landfill Communities Fund. The Tubney Charitable Trust is also supporting the initiative. 

Dunwich Forest is designated a County Wildlife Site and sits within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. Adjoining land includes Walberswick Reedbeds and Dingle Marshes which are part of the Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve to the north and Westleton Heath which is a Special Protection Area of European importance, to the south.

Dartmoor ponies are one of the UK’s rare breeds and those in Dunwich Forest were sourced for Suffolk Wildlife Trust by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust from Devonshire breeders.

For more information please contact Giles Brockman can be contacted on 01842 816009.