Monday 31 March

 The ponies were reclined at the top of the site and seemed to be enjoying the sun. The troughs were full. 

Sunday 30th March

 A beautiful day. The ponies were at the top gate, only Hoopy was upright..the others content to sit and enjoy the sunshine. 

Saturday 29th March

Lovely morning, bright blue sky not a cloud in sight. And to cap off a perfect morning, the ponies were all grouped by the top gate. They were mostly barely awake when I arrived. Flam, followed by Kat, wandered over to the gate to say 'hello; and then proceeded to yawn continuously, which was very infectious 🤣. Hoopy was still resting as I left and Doune was breakfasting along the top fence line. They were all looking to top shape (albeit a little tired). 

Thursday 27th March

 A misty morning.  All 4 ponies were close to the W trough, one actually drinking:

They came to say hallo briefly before resuming drinking and grazing, and they were all fine.  Trough level also good - didn't check the other trough.

Wednesday 26th

 4 ponies were on the main path, about 50 meters from the clump. All looked well, though Hoopy's forehead was a bit mangey. Bottom trough full.

Tuesday 25th March

The lake is shrinking rapidly now, and I suspect it'll be a puddle this time next week without anymore rain. The ponies weren't in their regular places today, neither on the hillside or at the top of the site. However, whilst walking back down along the fence line came across them. They'd spread out a bit, but all looked really well. Doune was grumping giving me a little neigh to stay away and Hoopy literally ran away, but otherwise all good. 

Monday 24 March

 The 4 ponies were found at the top of the site. The troughs were full. No issues.

Sunday 23 March

 A nice dry day on the hill and making conditions much better under foot!

The ponies were at the far end of the site and looking well. 

Saturday 22nd March

Warm and muggy day on the Hill, and for the first time in a while the ponies were at the top end of the site, mostly having a lie down. Hoopy was looking a little scraggy and standing funny, but otherwise okay and the rest all looked very healthy. 

Thursday 20th March

 All 4 ponies were just visible from the M'way entrance gate, beyond the trough and slightly down the hill.  They were grazing and barely acknowledged my arrival.  Trough level fine, if a bit green.  I didn't check the far (east) trough.

Wednesday 19th

 4  ponies were near the bottom gate, browsing happily.  All looked fine and that trough was full. If we'd remembered a bag we'd have done some litter picking on the roadside.

Tuesday 18th March

Lovely day on the Hill and the ponies were a little spread out into 2 x 2 factions. Doune and Kat were up near the main path and a little way up, whereas Flam and Hoopy were down towards the lower path, but level with the others. All of them were munching away and my presence wasn't welcomed today. They looked in great shape, and looks like coats might just be starting to moult (although that could be my imagination). 

Monday 17 March

 The ponies were at the top of the site on this cool morning. Both troughs were full. No issues to report.

Sunday 16th March

 Another beautiful day albeit with a very crisp breeze but the muddy track drying out nicely! The ponies were up at the far end looking great in their woolly coats.

Thursday 13th March

 All 4 were at the far end of the top track, by the gate:

They looked well, if a bit bored by just watching the passing traffic, but one came to say hallo.  Both troughs were fine.  Nothing else to report.

Wednesday 12th

 4 ponies were visible from the bottom gate. They were a little way up the track quite close together grazing. seemed well, a bit skittish. That trough was full, didn't go to the top.

Tuesday 11th March

Reasonably sunny on the Hill, but the wind chill was threatening to strip the skin off my bones! Found the ponies laying down in their new usual place (not far from the trough, but down the hill and along a bit), possibly trying to keep out of the wind, which was coming up off the valley. They looked well though, if not a little tired still. 

Spent a bit of time checking out the lake, lots of wildfowl down there, and also watched a kestrel being chased away by a crow when it got too close to the crow trees.

Monday 10 March

 The ponies were near the bottom of the field with one laying down sleeping and the others standing guard. Both troughs were full. No issues noted. 

Sunday 9th March

 At last, a few days of sunshine and the ground drying up! A beautiful day on the hill and it seemed like a good time to catch up on office gossip around the water cooler for the ponies.

Saturday 8th March

Lovely morning on the Hill, fingers crossed Spring has finally sprung and is here to stay! On my way up the main path, I inadvertently disturbed a roosting buzzard, but was rewarded with fantastic close up views as it glided and swooped away over the hillside. Amazing. The ponies were a little way further up, looking like they were nibbling at the shoots appearing on the bushes and trees. They looked pretty well, and shining in the sunshine. 

Thursday 6th March

 Hooray - all 4 ponies were grazing close to the trough by the M'way gate, easy to find.  They briefly acknowledged my arrival, but eating was the priority.  The trough was full - but I didn't check the other (eastern) trough.  They all looked well.

Wednesday 5th

We looked high and low for the ponies but didn't find them. Having said that, we didn't tackle the steep slope to the bottom path. The troughs were full. I hope they're easy to spot tomorrow.

Tuesday 4th March

Lovely day on the Hill, and there were the ponies as I arrived, as if waiting for me. Well maybe not, Hoopy was having a drink, Kat looked like she'd been rolling in the mud and Doune and Flam were chilling in the sunshine. They all looked super well, albeit a little muddy. 

Bumped into a walker/birder visiting the site and we chatted about birds and the site for ages. Loads of life on the lake today.

Monday 3 March

 A crispy morning and the mud was solid. Well on the way up the hill only. The 4 ponies were at the top of the hill enjoying the sun on their backs. I broke the ice on both troughs. No issues seen.

Sunday 2nd March

 A beautiful day on the hill this morning. Normal service resumed with the ponies and their game of hide and seek. What started as a pleasant walk aided by the ground frost making the going underfoot pleasantly passable, after a couple of sweeps up and down the main tracks soon turned into a slippery muddy challenge. Ultimately I had  concede defeat as I just couldn’t find them. Hope Nick has more luck tomorrow. 

Saturday 1st March

You know it's nearly spring when you see your first male Brimstone of the season. A beautiful yellow boy he was too, very exciting. Also beautiful morning on the Hill, although a chilling breeze to remind you it's still only 1st March. And as luck would have it, the gang were chilling (having a lie in after the recent horrendous weather), not far from the main path and a little down the hill. Seemed to be quite a sheltered spot and they all seemed in a sun induced trance. They were looking really great though, coats all dried out and shimmering in the sunlight. Flam's coat was very snuggly and warm. It's good to see them relaxed in the sunshine, rather than miserable and drenched, roll on spring!