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many thanks as ever to paul sampson of w.c.c.p for keeping us up to speed.
A new Konik foal was born late last week at South Foreland Valley, St Margaret's at Cliffe. Due to its important chalk grassland habitat South Foreland Valley is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, this means it is legally protected for future generations of people and wildlife. The current herd of Koniks arrived in the early autumn of 2011 and have been grazing the chalk grassland over the winter. In 2000 grazing was introduced across the whole site which is owned by St Margaret's Parish Council and with the management of the site guided by the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership..
Grazing on this site with cattle and horses is vitally important because it encourages a greater range of chalk grassland flowers to thrive and it helps to reduce the cover of trees and bushes which shade out the much rarer chalk grassland habitat.. There is access available, on foot, across the whole site for the general public. There are plenty of ways that people can become involved if they would like to help manage this beautiful and important site. You can come along on one of the regular work days, volunteer to check the grazing animals, report to us the wildlife you find or all three!
Contact David Hart of St Margaret's Parish Council on 01304 852612 or the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership on 01304 241806 for more information.
