A fairly average week but with a burst of activity at either end…
Saturday, May 26. Sussex Pony Grazing at the village hall in East Hoathly. All went well and was well attended, finishing with an illustrated talk from the RSPB’s Wealden Sites Manager, Steve Wheatley on the advantages gained by pony grazing. More on Steve in the minute.
On Thursday, we moved the six Herd 2 ponies from off our stand-by ground up to the eastern compartment of the RSPB’s Broadwater Warren. This is the third year that we have grazed this particular area though it changed dramatically last winter with the felling of some 40 acres of scots pine plantation. It should be easier to find the ponies this summer!
Friday, and we gathered and corralled the ten ponies of Herd 4 from off Berwick Down near Alfriston, this achieved on our second gathering attempt. The day ended up a rather long one as we decided to use the truck and trailer – three trips up to our stand-by ground. Some of these ponies will later graze a new, small site for Crowborough Town Council and some may move on to the western compartment of Broadwater Warren, an area we have not grazed yet.
Talking of Broadwater, Friday was also the day that Steve Wheatley, left for pastures new – or rather that should be woodlands new, for he’s going to work for Trees For Life in Scotland. I’ve enjoyed working with Steve in connection with pony grazing for some ten years. Good luck Steve in the far north!