29 April Staff Check

All 4 seen and ok. No water in ditch only pasture pumps.

Entry to Test Track

Yes it's fine to go into Test Track if the gate is unlocked.

The Red Danger sign is displayed there permanently, which I appreciate isn't very clear.

Thanks for the question Carolyn. 

 

2.45pm Mon 27 April, the red Danger sign was displayed although the gate was unlocked, so decided I shouldn’t venture in? I couldn’t see them from the gate unfortunately.

Please advise if the gate being unlocked means it is okay to enter.

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 down 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 reservoir, 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 reservoir and still too far away for me to see them.