Hike through fields of purple heather flowers from Trough House to Egton Bridge, in North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire county, England, United Kingdom, Europe. British taxpayers subsidize this privately-owned National Park, where the high, semi-natural moorland is managed by farmers and landowners for traditional sheep farming and grouse shooting. Burning the heather encourages new growth to provide food for sheep and the native red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica, a subspecies of willow ptarmigan). Controversial killing of foxes, stoats and crows (predator control) is done to increase grouse density. While only a rich elite can afford the regulated hunt for grouse, hunting infrastructure supports the local economy. Heather species here are: 1) Ling heather (Calluna vulgaris) with very tiny pink flowers generally blooming in mid- to late-August; 2) Bell heather with dark pink or purple bell-shaped flowers. England Coast to Coast hike day 12 of 14. [This image, commissioned by Wilderness Travel, is not available to any other agency providing group travel in the UK, but may otherwise be licensable from Tom Dempsey – please inquire at PhotoSeek.com.]
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