Monday 27th April - Test Track Water - Pasture Pump

I had intended to get in touch today to ask whether the pasture pumps belonged to HIWWT and were for the cattle, so thank you for the update. I spotted them yesterday while making my way over to find the cattle. Below is a photo of one of the two pumps.

Water Test Track

 Good to see you managed to get onto Test Track Gordon. Apologies that it's not easy.

Just to add that I'd be very grateful if we can all keep an eye on the water levels please. They have 2 sources of water (there's no mains water trough):

the ditch flowing out from the silt reservoir at: graver.clincher.tabs

and (hot off the press!) we fitted 2 pasture pumps in there last week, at:

barbarian.notice.honest

We will train the cows to use the pasture pumps! if necessary, but they usually pick it up very quickly for themselves. 

Thanks for all your help. 

Sunday 26th April - All 4 seen

At 14:45 this afternoon, the cattle were gathered along the eastern side of the pond, near ///could.stitching.admit. Cow 201, along with steers 200 and 208, were standing in the shade of the trees, while steer 207 was lying down nearby, resting comfortably. The three standing cattle were curious about their visitor but initially kept their distance before cautiously approaching one by one to give me a sniff. They soon began to relax. It was a lovely, warm afternoon, although the sunshine had brought out the flies.

The cattle were happy for me to sit beside them, and by 15:10 they were all lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. Before settling, each took a turn scratching against the trees. Steer 207 remained lying down throughout, even stretching out fully on his side at one point.

I said my goodbyes at 15:40, leaving them all resting peacefully. They appeared happy, relaxed, and settled into their new home. It was lovely to spend some quiet time with them this afternoon.

The cows were all good today.

Friday 24th April - No access to Test Track section

I visited the site a little later than usual this afternoon, hoping the gate into the Test Track section would be open. Unfortunately, even after waiting until after 18:00, it remained locked.

It was a warm, pleasant afternoon, so I passed the time with some litter picking before checking the fence along the eastern edge of the site, all the way to the far northeastern corner. Even from there, though, the cattle were down by the pond and still too far away for me to see them.

Cattle on Test Track - restricted access; only possible when the gate is unlocked

 Please note that public access to Test Track is very limited to times when the army are not using Test Track. 

Access is different from Brocks Hill, where the ponies usually are, for health and safety reasons, as the army trial new military vehicles and use the site for driver training; sometimes with large vehicles driven at high speed. 

You can only access from Brocks Hill when the metal kissing gate is unlocked. 

Unfortunately prior notice of access times is currently not possible as the army are on high security status due to the situation in the Middle East. 

Thanks

CATTLE ON SITE - Test track side

X4 large British White crosses are now grazing Long Valley Test track side of the site now (next door to the pony side Brocks Hill)

They have tracking collars on

Thank you for your continued support

The grazing team

Sunday 19th April - Pony Update - Tilly has had her foal

Nicky let me know that Tilly has given birth to a beautiful foal this morning, and I’m happy to report that both mum and baby are doing well.

The foal looks absolutely gorgeous. ❤️