All 3 ponies and cattle were near the bottom trough. Eleonor and Lavender had small scratches.
Trough was full and all the animals looked well.
The ponies were halfway up the hill between the path and the road. They were browsing on bramble leaves. The cows were in their area and were chilled out. Water trough ok.
Nice morning on the hill with a watery sun and promise of better weather to come. The ponies were close to the eastern gate and close to the road. They all looked a little dazed so I think I woke them up. Kat was yawning, Flam was nodding and Doune was literally asleep on her feet. Other than that they were alert and looked in good nick.
Surprisingly the trough had no ice and was full. Headed down to the western end and met up with the cows. When I arrived they were grazing away which was good to see, one was slightly away from the other two, but nothing to worry about. They probably don't know whether they are coming or going. Again they looked well and I couldn't spot any concerns.
Went to check out the Seagull Lake, thought I might use it to do the RSPB Birdwatch, and got up to about 30 seagulls before something spooked them and they became airborne and shuffled. At that point gave up, decided to stick to my garden for the survey.
The ponies looked a bit damp this morning after overnight rain, but they were grazing happily about 200m along the top track (from the motorway gate), and clearly breakfast was much more important than my arrival. They all looked well. Trough near gate full - apologies but I did not check the 'far' trough.
I cannot do my round next week, and Fiona is aware.
No ice here. Thankfully all ice appeared to be gone. Water troughs were full. The ponies we at the top of the site and were just below the ridge keeping out of the strong
A miserable grey day 0n the hill today. Ponies looking well and found near the top on the Morestead Rd side.
Broke the ice in the trough by the main entrance, some pretty big chunks in there. The drop in level seemed to start an incoming trickle. Then marched up to the top trough, found the ponies, and broke the ice, with an hilarious joke, no okay in the trough. Again pretty much frozen solid with loads of thick ice and somehow my rubber gloves had fallen out of my pocket so had to get my hands wet (and very cold!). The trough surrounds are all littered with broken bits of ice with the weather failing to melt them all. After that the girls came over quickly and started drinking contentedly.
They were looking well, inquisitive and alert. Flam looks like she's been rolling in mud as her coat is slightly matted in places.
Think I spotted the hen harrier agilely nipping around the sky.
All 3 ponies were enjoying the sunshine near the far gate - and making long shadows. They were all looking well.
Ponies were on the track near the clump of trees 2/3 of the way up. Looking well. Broke and removed ice from both troughs which were full. Claw hammer and sturdy rubber gloves, very helpful. Glad there were 3 of us so we could search from top bottom and middle at the same time. Bikes help to save time too.
A cold day but great with the sun out. The ponies were at the top of the hill and seemed content with the sun on their backs. The ice was broken at the top trough and I broke the ice at the bottom. All good.
Found ponies half way down the hill at far end beyond water trough. They were doing their best to hide, but eventually came out to enjoy some sunshine. All looking well.
A bit of dreary but still day on the hill this morning but plenty of birds flitting around and a kestrel (I think) sat on top of a bush surveying. Both troughs were defrosted and full and after a walk up and down the main path found the ponies on the hill side between the top and middle paths grazing away in amongst the hawthorn. Quite a lovely spot with great views of the lake.
All seemed well and received a cautious sniff from both Kat and Doune. I think Flam was feeling a bit rambunctious as there a little bit of jostling and kicking between her and Doune (or Kat!). Good to know I can still spring into action and dodge well out of the way in a spritely manner. It seemed to settle down, so I moved further away in case my presence was disturbing the status quo. The partridge family were feeding obliviously in the field across Morestead Road.
The ponies led me a merry dance this morning. No sign along the top path, or the middle one - I was expecting them in a sunny spot somewhere. I went along the bottom track and found fresh (unfrosted) droppings) but no ponies. I went back up to the top by the far trough, and there they were sunning themselves, lying down near the far gate. They were not there on my first visit, but at least I found them. They looked very dozy. Kat got up and yawned a lot, but that was the extent of the action. They all looked well.
Ice on both the troughs very thick - an inch or so - and tricky to break, but I managed it without a hammer (thanks for the warning, Fiona!).
In the course of my extensive trip round Deacon Hill, I startled several rabbits, 3 pheasants, 2 partridges, and 2 foxes (or maybe the same on twice); and on my way back to the main gate, there was a sparrowhawk enjoying the updraught.
Another bitterly cold but gorgeous day on the hill. The ponies were towards the east end of the site, between the main path and the road and were cunningly using a bramble bush for shelter from the wind whilst enjoying the bright sunshine. They look really well, and Kat (or Doune?) proactively approached for a nose stroke.
Picked a little litter on my way back to the west gate.
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| Flam caught mid yawn! |
A cold day but nice. Bracing! I only saw 2 of the ponies initially but carried on and broke the ice on both troughs. On my way back down the hill I saw the 2 ponies again. No sign of number 3, but about 100m from the bottom it was quietly grazing on the path. All ponies seemed oblivious to the cold.
Wow what a fabulous morning on the hill. The light was fantastic and the sun was beating down with plenty of bright blue skies. And exciting news, there's a flock of Barnacle Geese (I think) down on the lake, well the seagulls are on the main lake, but the rains have created an overflow which is the one with the geese. But either way really exciting!
The ponies were a little separated, but only about 100 metres or so. Flam and Doune were down by the main gate trough enjoying the sunshine, whilst Kat was further up along the path grazing away. Their coats, now they've dried out, look beautifully lush and soft, actually they looked in great shape.
On my way back up to the top layby, was lucky to witness a whole group (6 or 7) of buzzards (and possibly a couple of kestrels) riding the thermals. So graceful and beautiful, totally breath taking. Watched them for a while, as they soared higher and gradually drifted down the hill towards the motorway. Amazing.
No sign of ponies on arrival, but I walked along the top path, almost to the end, and saw movement. I was sure it was a pony, but it turned out to be:
...a muntjac. Fortunately, the ponies were very obvious, near the far gate, and were in fine form.
I collected some bits of rubbish, obviously thrown from cars - the ponies were intrigued, but not happy when artic lorries went by. Troughs full. Lots of redwings feeding on the hawthorn.
Happy new year. Well were were they ? I walked up to the top. Trough ok but roof of the IBC was in bits. Needs a repair. The bottom trough was full and lo and behold the ponies appeared near the bottom. They looked well and were grazing happily. All good.
The ponies were in good form and easy to find today! All 3 were on the main path about 400yds from bottom entrance.
