All 4 cattle well, water level in ditch good, open at weekends...

 I checked the 4 early this morning and all were looking well - grazing to the east of the pasture pumps.

The water level in the ditch is good, comparing it to a photo i took in mid- April, it hasn't dropped. Checking the sluice there's still a small amount of water coming through from the silt reservoir. The troughs of the pasture pumps were half full, so I filled them.

I've now heard back from the MoD and Test Track is open this coming weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and every weekend in June. It's not open to the public during the week. If you're willing to ring the MoD Operations Room on arrival and departure from site, just to say that you're checking the cows, that can be helpful. The number is: 07484 516900 and give them the military code for test track, which is B4d. 

The pre-arranged MoD opening/closure times are usually accurate but in case things change if the pedestrian gate is locked and the red sign is showing No Access, then please don't go onto Test Track.

Many thanks. 

8am, Monday 25th May, unfortunately gate locked

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Sunday 24th May - All 4 seen

Shortly after 17:00 this afternoon, the cattle were gathered in the cool shade of the bushes near ///scored.yourself.reef at the northern end of the site. I suspect they had all been lying down and resting, but steer 200 got up to greet me as soon as he heard me approaching, while cow 201 stood peacefully in the bushes to the south. Before long, they had all got to their feet and started grazing in the surrounding area, enjoying a mix of long grass and leaves from the bushes. The boys all stepped forward to say hello as I made my way around checking on them, with cow 201 initially being a little more hesitant.

All four were content, relaxed, and in good condition, showing no signs of distress despite the intense heat. I said my goodbyes shortly before 17:30.

Before leaving, I wandered round to make sure there was still plenty of drinking water in the ditch.

The cows were all good today.

Saturday

 Couldn’t find them today and ran out of time after an hour at9am. 

Thurs 21st May - staff check

All 4 seen seen well grazing along the southeastern fenceline. Still plenty of water in the ditch.

Mon 19 May, forgot to say I did try and see the cows but was locked out again

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All 4 seen & well Tue 19th May

Saw all 4 in the middle of the site today and all looked well. 

I checked the water level in the ditch - it's still full of water, and is particularly deep at the far end, by the stone culvert, c. 1 foot deep and a small amount of water is still coming into the ditch from the reservoir sluice. No cattle hoof prints by the pasture pumps unfortunately! but plenty of water in those too.

I have tried to obtain more info on when test track is open to the public from my MoD contacts, but no luck so far! But the usual access always used to be every other weekend, so I agree that it's not worth trying on Friday's.  

Many thanks.