Lovely day on the Hill with a bit of a stiff breeze. I was loitering by the corral, pondering starting a butterfly survey, when Flam and the gang came running along the path only to stop pretty abruptly when they spotted me. I took that as a good sign. They looked alert and were moving well, so continued with the survey and at the end they hadn't moved far and were munching the new shoots from the bushes.
The ponies were halfway up the hill near the road. They appeared to be good. Trough’s were full.
A nice afternoon on the hill, just before the rains arrived. Ponies were up the eastern end up by the road fence. They were happily eating, and pretty much paying me no attention at all. They looked good, no obvious issues noted.
A bit of hide-and-seek this morning. No sign of the ponies when I arrived, but after going to the far (eastern) gate, down and back along the middle path, all 3 were waiting by the corral. They looked well, even if they weren't doing much. Troughs were full, but I agree that the water is getting a bit murky.
Stephen checked them as |I have a tummy bug. The 3 ponies were by the fire place half way up the track. All well, both troughs full.
Sore for the lateness. The ponies were fine but the bottom trough is murky. I suggest it is emptied and cleaned.
Instead of standing in a 4 hour queue outside a record store for Record Store Day, visited the Hill and the ponies instead. It was a bit nippy and there was a stiff breeze, but the sun was out so no problem. The ponies were at the eastern end of the site, grazing away and nibbling at the new tree/bush growth (not the Elms!). It all got too much for Flam who had to have a sit down and a bit of a nod.
The ponies were enjoying the sunshine on the little 'knoll' by the eastern gate, but otherwise not doing much. I noticed some small lumps of horsehair on the top path - not sure how that can have happened, but the ponies all seemed happy. Both troughs OK.
A few butterflies around in the sun - including this obliging peacock.
3 ponies were half way up the track to the clump, spotted a small patch of mange on this one's back.
A blustery but sunny morning/lunch time on the Hill today, with lots of human activity! On the way up the main path I met a gang of Ramblers (15-20). I stopped them for a chat, told them all about the hill, and lake and the ponies. Looks like we are now on the regular Rambler route! They asked if there were other paths and I had to say yes, but that they were incredibly steep and very very muddy. So hopefully that'll keep them to the main path 😁. But they were very friendly and interested so hopefully they'll be a good ally.
Also bumped into a man and two kids on mountain bikes. They were a bit more reticent to engage, and I made my way to the ponies before they got there in case the kids got a bit excited, but in the end they showed no interest at all, which was a shame as I was looking forward to singing the girls' praises.
The troughs were full.
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| A Speckled Wood |
The ponies were by the corral when I saw them - a bit troubled by flies, but otherwise looking fine, if a little muddy. Trough full.
Ponies were browsing the bushes beside the path on the road side fairly near the bottom. All seemed well. bottom trough full.
Bit of a chilly morning on the hill, but didn't seem to bother the ponies who were grazing happily on the main path just short of the clump. So much in fact they barely stopped to say hello. Doune seemed to be missing a little hair on her back, so not sure if they've been fighting or if it's just my imagination. Other than that they looked good.
No difficulty finding the ponies today. They were all at the corral and seemed chilled. They looked well .The troughs were full and gates secured.
A warm and muggy morning, no sun but pretty warm. The ponies were loitering by the corral and looking half asleep still. No obvious signs of issues though, so left them to it and attempted a butterfly survey, but still a bit early and cloudy. On my return to the main gate, the ponies had moved into the tussocky area and were grazing away merrily.
Apologies for the very late post! Work party on the Hill today, and the ponies were very nosy and hanging around planning mischief. They looked well, a little muddy in places, but alert and perky.
No photo's, and I havn't checked the ponies, so not really an update either! But I wanted to say just how much I enjoy reading all your posts and sightings, and to thank you, as always for the time and dedication you provide. I will never be able to say enough times how much we appreciate and value you all. Thank you.
3 ponies were grazing the track, halfway up towards the clump. All looked well, creating a lawn along the track. Bottom trough full, didn't get to the top. 2 swans on the pond below.
Cloudy and overcast on the hill today (which put an end to my butterfly survey), and found the ponies halfway up the main path. Kat was on the path whilst Flam and Doune were under cover in the clump of trees. Looked like Flam was drinking from the base of a tree and others were grazing happily.
Also bumped into a Trust person installing new dormice tubes, which was excellent. She said there was an old nest in one she was replacing, so that hopefully bodes well for the hill's population.
What a difference a week makes. The grass is growing well and the leaves on the trees and bushes are starting to grow. The troughs were full and the ponies elusive. After going up and the down to the bottom I found them where I started near the coral. They all seemed well.
