Quote:
Originally Posted by LazyScot
Pigs are left out in the forest during the winter to eat the acorns (otherwise the horses suffer). As well as that, you also get donkeys out there. It's a very rich area for wildlife!
People who live in the forest often have rights (usually, I think) tied to the property to graze the forest and collect wood from it. There are a collection of wonderful words associated with these rights (I don't think they are confined to the New Forest, and are general ones): mast, pannage, turbary (and probably others I don't know or have forgotten).
As regards the deer, some are wild and some are owned. Generally you have to be careful of them throught the year as they are very skittish and fast moving. It's almost impossible to predict which way they will run and jump. And sometime, no matter how careful you are, when going through Forest the will just leap into the side of the car.
As for other (smaller) wildlife, apart from birds, you get badgers, foxes and rabbits (and doubtless others). The rabbits are most common, and like the deer run unexpectedly.
Oh. And squirrels.  |
It certainly is a beautiful place at any time of the year. I think my mother has the right to graze pigs on the forest, and her's is certainly associated with the house my parents purchased. I also agree with you with regard to the 40mph speed limit. It really is a place that needs you to stick to the speed limts as the top speed and often slower.