Saturday 31st May

Hot humid day on the Hill, heard a Lesser Whitethroat (according to Merlin), on the way up to the top gate. Unfortunately they weren't there, but found them grazing away just down from the corral. They all looked really good and happy. 

Fri 30th - staff and volunteer check

Ponies all looking really well and a lot of mutual grooming going on.  It was Hoopy and Doune this time with Kat trying to get in on it.  Water supply and salt licks all fine.

Thursday - staff check

Ponies all chilling out in the shade of the corral on Thursday, all looking really fit and well. A few flies 

Wednesday 28th May

 3 of us looking for ponies, started at the bottom, they were right at the top. The breeze up there might have been keeping some of the flies off them, They looked well. Both troughs full. Some pyramid orchids on the verge.

Monday 26 May

 The ponies were just out of the breeze at the top of the site. The troughs were full. No issues to report.

Sunday 25th May

 Ponies very relaxed on this bright but breezy day. All gathered in the corral.

Saturday 24th May

Muggy and humid day on the Hill, with the ponies conveniently cooped up in the corral...well not cooped up, although they did seem a bit fed-up. Even Flam was a little reticent to come and say Hello. But they all looked well, just maybe a few more flies today. Yesterday we were lucky to witness Kat and Hoopy having a mutual grooming session, particularly nice as hopefully it shows Hoopy has been fully integrated. 

Thursday 22nd May

 Sunny morning, and the ponies were clearly feeling mischievous.  No sign of them at the main gate or along the top path; or along the bottom path - until I got back to the main gate, and there they were looking somewhat smug:

They were all looking good,and the troughs were fine too.

A few speckled woods about, and a lesser whitethroat singing by the lower path - and I have snatch of recording on my phone as proof.  Also a yellowhammer just over the eastern fence, singing.

Not able to do next week - Fiona knows.

Wednesday 21st

 4 ponies were on the path from the water trough towards the bottom of the clump. They all looked well and sleek, Doune trying to nibble Hiromi's jacket. Stephen has pulled a muscle in his leg so she came in his place. Saw a young fox trotting down hill.

Trough full, quite a lot of litter by the roadside but I didn't have a bag. Noticed they've cleared the drain, ready for the next deluge.

Tuesday 20th May

Lovely day on the Hill, with the ponies still in the corral. Flam was her normal flam-buoyant self, and even Doune came over for a gentle sniff, which is a rare event. They were looking well, although Flam and Hoopy had a little moment, but all over very quickly. Had a wander around the site, looking great, and spotted the muntjac strolling across the main lower path (I was obviously upwind). Quite a lot of butterflies around, whites, blues, peacocks and small heaths. 

 

Monday 19 May

 The ponies were on the lower slopes and easy to find. All looking glossy and healthy. The troughs were full. No issues to report.

Sunday 18th May

 Another lovely day. Flam and Hoopy catching some shade by the corral this morning. Both looking well and Flam her usual inquisitive self.

Kat and Doune were further up the track only interested in breakfast.

Fri 16th May staff check

Ponies all looking great and enjoying plenty of fresh grass. We were on site all day and they were in various positions throughout the day. Flam took great interest in our staff site meeting and ran off with a map of the site - she's funny how she loves to get involved! Hoopy was pretty friendly too. Plenty of water, plenty of salt licks around the place.

Thursday 15th May

 All 4 ponies were near the top eastern gate and grazing.  A brief hallo from Flam who wanted to taste my polo shirt, but otherwise, eating was more important than pleasantries.  They seem to like using the area to roll about in the dust, and then shake it off in a big cloud. 

Troughs OK

Yellowhammer and common whitethroat heard from the top track, and a red-legged partridge scuttled away when I arrived..

Southern Water's efforts were particularly aromatic this morning - not in a good way.

Tuesday 13th May

Muggy but slightly overcast on the Hill today, and after partially completing a butterfly transect survey, found the ponies not at the top of the site, but towards the lower water trough. Well Doune was watching me intently from the trough, accompanied by Kat. Hoopy was moving towards the corral and Flam was being Flam a little way up the main path. She was very keen to say Hello, and looked in great shape. All looking well and nothing untoward to report today (apart from a lack of butterflies).

Sunday 11th May

 Ponies were all gathered in the corral sheltering from the heat.

Flam keen to say hello as I approached.

Monday 12 May

 Will it or will it not rain? Well it didn’t while I was there. The 4 ponies were at the top of the site near the gate. Both troughs were full. No issues noted. 

Saturday 10th May

Lovely day on the Hill, with the ponies towards the top end of the site, heading slowly down towards the main entrance, munching as they go. All looking in great condition, Flan and Kat being really friendly. And Hoopy is looking in great shape nowadays, almost as if she's now fully adjusted to life on the Hill. 

It also turns out I managed to take multiple photos and videos from my back pocket, here's the most artistic:

Friday 9th May

Ponies were obligingly up at the eastern end of the site today, enabling me to have a good look at them whilst filling up their water supply. They are all looking great, were covered in dirt from their dust bathing. Applied citronella cream to Flam, Kat and Hoopy fine, but Doune didn't let me get near as usual! PLenty for them to eat up there now :)

Thursday 8th May

 Chilly NE wind whistling down Plague Pits valley first thing this morning, but the sun soon came out.

All the ponies were by the top eastern gate; 2 were admiring the view, and 2 weren't:

All 4 looked fine if a little bored.  Trough levels OK.  Nothing adverse to report.

Tuesday 6th May

Apologies for the late post! Pretty nice on the Hill this afternoon, bit smelly at the main gate, but the Hawthorn reduces that and looks lovely on the walk up to the top gate. Rabbit spotted on the way up. The girls were having an afternoon nap and looked really chilled lying around by the top gate. Only Flam seemed slightly interested....spotted 4 crows fighting off a buzzard who got too close to their nests. 

Monday 5 May

 A cold and breezy morning but sunny. The ponies were halfway up the main path. The troughs were full. No issues to report. 

Sunday 4th May

 A lovely but chilly day on the hill. Ponies up by the top gate. Looking well but some chipped feet?

Saturday 3rd May

Lovely day on the Hill. The ponies were all at the top gate, just standing around taking in the sun, looking gorgeous albeit a little dusty. Everything calm today, but the hillside looks fabulous in the sun.

Thurs 1st May

POnies were all looking sleek and fabulous today. Doune was initially on her own in the corral enjoying the shade, but then they were all together in no time. Had a task today and the ponies were all up at the eastern end by the end of the day eyeing up the truck and bowser for a cheeky nibble. Water supply fine for the moment. Plenty of licks around too.