Leap day 29th Feb

 A wet morning.  All 3 ponies were at the eastern end of the top path, close to the trough - which was full.  They were happily grazing.  Flam came to say hallo, but the others were too busy.  They looked a bit wet but otherwise absolutely fine.  The other trough was also full.

Despite the dampness, certainly one and possibly two yellowhammers were trying to sing.  Good to hear - and see as spring approaches.

Wednesday

 3 ponies were by the corral, looking well and enjoying the lick. That trough was full. Didn't check the top.

Tuesday 27th February 2024

Well after my short break the ponies were really excited to see me. Not. To be fair Kat was nice enough to come and say Hello, but Doune in particular was very clear she didn't want to be disturbed whilst eating. Flam was by the corral and was using the post for a lovely looking scratch. They looked in good condition, coats good, no limping, alert and attentive. It was quite pleasant on the hill with a hazy sun and promise of better weather to come, fingers crossed. And the lake was still standing so that's great. 

Note, on the way up noticed the big yellow road closed sign saying that the road will be closed 09:30 - 16:00 from 29th for 7 days. Looks like it's the same stretch as last time. 

Also during my walking stumbled across a silver thermos flask buried in the grass. I suspect it's from a work party, but if it's anyone's just let me know (otherwise it'll stay in my boot until the next work party I can get to).

Monday 26 February

 The ponies were in the lee of the wind and munching as per normal. The troughs were full and apart from that nothing to report.

Thursday 22nd Feb

 Apologies for the late posting - a morning commitment meant that I id my round later than usual.  And a very wet round it was, not that that seemed to bother ponies, which were grazing about 100m east of the M'way gate.

They looked a bit bedraggled, but otherwise absolutely fine, and came to say a brief 'hello' before resuming lunch.  The trough at the W end was full and OK. I did not trail all the way along to the E end to check that trough, but with all this rain, it is likely to be full!

Wednesday 21st

Windy and rainy. The ponies were a short distance down the track from the top gate using the bushes as a wind break. All well. Bottom trough full, Oops, forgot to check the top one.

Monday 19 February

 All 3 ponies were at the top of the site. All looked bright and well. The troughs were full. The work parties efforts are looking good. Roll on the warmer weather.

Sunday 18th

Little work party at Deacon Hill today and the ponies kept us company for a while. They were all friendly, relaxed and couldn't wait to get into the blackthorn and start bark stripping it again! Hopefully the grass will all come up soon and they'll feast on that instead! Anyway, they all looked in fine fettle and were enjoying some lovely weather

Thursday 15th Feb

 All 3 were close to the corral this morning.  Kat was munching but the other 2 were having a slow moment doing nothing.  They all looked fine.  A lot of shooting on the range, where they would definitely not be 'at home'.  Trough OK, but I didn't check the far one, or indeed anything else.

St. Valentine's day

We started by the corral and walked up the track. 3 ponies were right at the top. all looking fine, troughs full. We saw a muntjack deer among the big trees on the way up. Then a lot of bushes with the bark stripped off, to about the right height for their browsing. 

To avoid the ponies pestering us on the way back we crossed over the road and took the footpath across the field and down the Dongas. Nice walk in the drizzle.

Tuesday 13th February

Wet and breezy on the hill, with the ponies working their way to the eastern end of the site along the main path. The ground is starting to churn up a bit and the poor ponies were drenched and bedraggled. But it wasn't stopping them munching away, I guess water and higher temperature means sweet young grass. Yum! They all looked okay, no obvious issues, with Flam and Kat both inquisitive and alert. Doune didn't stop eating. 

Just a reminder that I'll be away for a while, so next visit to the girls (and report) will be Tuesday 27th. Take care of them 😁.

Monday 12 February

 The ponies were at the top of the hill enjoying the sun.  2 were reclined and chilled. Although one broke wind as I walked by , charming! Tracks of 2 off road bikes seen on track. Evidence of them stopping half way down the track, probably to enjoy the view. Not good. 

Sun 11 Feb

 A pleasant day on the hill. Ponies looking well although have spent some time rolling in the mud! 

Saturday 10th February

Beautiful sunny morning on the hill, pleasantly warm in the sunshine. The hill was alive with the sound of music, well birdsong, it was lovely and the lake was brimming with all kinds of life. Seagulls, coots, swan and lots of other duck type things which I couldn't make out with my binoculars. In the other wet field there was a flock of lapwings (I think, black and white) and in the distance a buzzard was gliding over the fields looking for prey. And I even watched as a pair of deer, waded through the fields before opening their legs and having a good run. 

And as for the ponies, well, I suspect they've been up to no good. The fencing around yesterday's fire was lying on the ground and the ponies were stood in a row just above the still smouldering pile of  ashes. This was a little way along the main path. I can't say I blame them as there was still some nice heat coming off of them. I put the fencing back together, and Kat and Doune wandered off in search of sweet young grass, but Flam stubbornly remained by the fence enjoying the last of the fading heat. 

If you look up 'Guilty' in a dictionary this is the photo that accompanies it!

But other than being mischievous they looked good, no obvious issues, hopefully the sun will let their coats dry out a bit. Their trough was full to bursting, if not a little green.

 

Me: "What's that on your nose?"

Flam: "No idea and definitely not ash!"

Thursday 8th Feb

 What a miserable morning - and extremely squelchy underfoot.  Walking boots or wellies recommended.  The cattle were a short distance down from the path, a little way along from the entrance and happily grazing, including trying to remove blackberry leaves without encountering too many thorns.  They seem to be having a good time churning up the ground.  The ponies were further along the top path, also grazing happily, even if looking very bedraggled.

All looked well and the troughs were full.

Countryside Services were there doing more clearance, although their bonfire was understandably reluctant to get going in the rain.

Wednesday 7th

Ponies and cattle were just up from the west trough. All well, trough full. Ponies took off for a race around the reserve, full of the joys of spring.

Countryside services vehicle and a car were parked by the gate and we heard chainsaws in the distance but don't think they spooked the ponies.

Tuesday 6th February

Cows had moved a little way away from the trough, pushing the edge of their territory, but seemed very happy munching away and even nibbling at the hawthorn trees. The curly haired one was again apart from the others, so maybe there's been some sort of falling out there? 

In the background I could hear chainsaws and saw smoke and on further investigation bumped into some contractors who seemed to be reducing the height of the bushes/trees. 

Then up to the east trough, where literally stumbled upon Flam who was eating away amidst the trees and shrubs. A little more exploration and found Kat (I think or it could have been Doune) also hiding amongst the trees. 

However was missing one, but after a little bit of searching I found her halfway down the hill, still amongst the trees, merrily munching away. 

All animals looked well, no signs of injury or discomfort. In the distance looks like Southern Water are adding a new run off ditch, probably to cope with the wet weather we've been having, but hopefully it won't mean the premature demise of the lake (which is already starting to dwindle 😒)

Sun 4 Feb

 Cows happily grazing and ponies half way along main track today. 

Saturday 3rd February

It's looking like we have a cow and pony love in 😆 - they were all together close to the western trough. Kat was right in amongst it, whilst Flam had just woken up.

 

The cow with the curly hair was a little way away from the others, I suspect there's some hairstyle envy going on, but still attached. The ponies were looking well, as were the cows, although curly had a few bare patches of hair.

The trough was full but looks like it could do with a clean out, I think something is growing in there, or someone (mentioning no names) may have had an accident into it. Either way not looking very clean or appetising.