Pigs
Meet Ticket and Tailor, our ecosystem engineers!
Heal Somerset is now home to two Tamworth piglets called Ticket and Tailor, whose job on site is to act as proxies for wild boar.
Wild boar play a crucial role in a healthy ecosystem, by disturbing the ground through rootling, spreading seeds, creating habitat, redistributing nutrients and unearthing food for other species.
Boar rootle to look for food such as worms, insects and roots, using their snouts to churn up the ground and uncover what might be lying beneath it. This action has lots of benefits, read on to find out more.
Unfortunately, there are very few wild boar left in the UK. That's why we, along with many other rewilding projects, have turned to Tamworths to take on the role of their wild ancestors.
The benefits of bringing pigs onto a rewilding site
Seed germination
Tamworth pigs are great for seed germination and dispersal. Through rootling, they create the bare earth that plants need for their seeds to germinate. This action also churns up dominant grasses, giving a greater variety of species the space to grow. On top of this, their thick, wiry hair acts as a seed disperser. Seeds get caught in their coat and are then deposited in different areas as they travel through the land.
Microclimates
Through their rootling and wallowing, pigs create microclimates. Water collects in the ruts and divots caused by pigs rootling, creating tiny, ephemeral pools of water which are important for a range of invertebrates. The same happens when pigs wallow. They create mud pools which provide a home for amphibians, dragonflies and aquatic plants. The disturbed ground from rootling also provides warm basking spots for grasshoppers and burrowing opportunities for lots of species of bees, wasps and beetles.
Unearthing food for all
You’ll often notice other wildlife such as robins following pigs around. That’s because pigs rootle out worms, grubs, seeds and other delicious snacks that other animals can then eat.
Find out more about Ticket and Tailor and our decision to bring them on site via the Q&A below.
-
What do we need to know about the area before travelling to the site?Heal Somerset is just outside the small, peaceful, rural village of Witham Friary. We ask all of our visitors to be considerate of the local community when visiting the site. If possible, please pick a route that avoids travelling through Witham Friary village (travel info here). Please drive slowly as the local lanes are narrow and are used by pedestrians, cyclists, dog walkers, horse riders and farm vehicles. Please only use our designated car park on site.
-
Can I bring my dog to Heal Somerset?To benefit and protect wildlife, our site is dog-free. If you have an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome. Walkers can take dogs along the stretch of public footpath which runs across the Southern Fields and Eastern Fields but we ask that you keep dogs on leads to protect wildlife.
-
Where can I park?If you visit by car, you must pre-book your parking. Everything you need to know about parking can be found here.
-
Are you open to visitors all year round?The Southern and Eastern fields will be open to visitors between 1 March and 30 September. To allow the land to rest, the site will be closed to visitors between October and February, with the exception of the public footpath which will remain open and be maintained all year round.
-
What are your opening times?You can come to the site to walk in our Southern and Eastern fields at any time. If you visit in the week, our team is on site between 9am and 5pm. You're welcome to visit earlier or later than this, and also at the weekend, but there won't be staff on site to provide help or assistance if you need it.
-
Are there toilets on site?Yes, there is a portable toilet in the car park and a compost toilet in the Southern Fields. Unfortunately, we do not yet have accessible toilets (we are working on it!).
-
Are your paths wheelchair accessible?Unfortunately, the site is not yet wheelchair-friendly. We have mown paths in the grass, but they are bumpy and uneven, and would likely be a challenge to people with mobility issues. We plan to improve this in time, but we may not be able to meet your needs if you are a wheelchair user or find walking difficult.
-
How old do I have to be to come to Heal Somerset?The Southern Fields are open to visitors aged 14 and over, and 14-17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult. The Eastern Fields are open to visitors of all ages. We have this age restriction in place in the Southern Fields because this area will be grazed with large, free-roaming animals (exact timings TBC) and we want to ensure small children are safe
-
Where do I put my rubbish?We have very limited facilities for dealing with waste and recycling so like many places, we ask you to take your rubbish and recycling home with you.
-
Can I smoke at Heal Somerset?No, the site operates a strict no smoking policy.
-
Can I bring a picnic with me?Yes, absolutely, but please make sure you take your rubbish and recycling home with you. Please do not leave any food waste on site.
-
What should I wear to visit the site?For walking around the site, we recommend that you bring sturdy shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground. To reduce the chance of ticks finding their way inside clothing, we recommend long trousers tucked into socks. If the forecast looks like it could be warm, it's best to wear layers including a light cotton shirt or t-shirt and please bring sun cream and potentially a hat. We also recommend bringing a water bottle, preferably a reusable one. You will be able to top it up at the site. If you have hay fever, we recommend you bring antihistamines.
-
Can I access the site via public transport?Everything you need to know about travel is here.
-
I have a further query, how do I get in contact?For any other questions, please email somerset@healrewilding.org.uk