Money 30 June

 The ponies were near the corral and staying out of the sun. It was warming up this morning. The troughs were full. No issues noted.

Fri 27th staff check

So sorry for the late posting, I completely forgot. So glad to see that Hoopy's eye is a bit better. We had a good look at them all on Friday and applied citronella cream to Flam, Kat and Hoopy to keep the flies off. Doune wouldn't let me near enough. Also myself and Maggie got a headcollar on Hoopy and applied some cool tea to her eyes, which is an effective remedy.

Sunday 29th June

 Ponies back to playing hide and seek. Eventually found them on the middle track in the bottom of the site. 

All looked well, Hoopy’s eye looked a lot better.

Thursday 26th June

 The forecast rain was just a bit of dampness in the air.  The ponies were exceptionally difficult to find.  After a complete circuit of the site, I decided to give to top track another go, and there they were at the far end, which I had already checked, and where there had earlier been no sign. All 4 were grazing.   Hoopy's eye just a bit weepy but not looking to be a serious problem.  Some flies around.  Troughs full but rather murky.

A good  number of butterflies despite there being no sunshine - mostly red admiral, meadow brown, marbled white and peacock - others were too quick or too distant.

Several singing whitethroats and yellowhammers.  This one posed very obligingly:

Wednesday 25th

 All 4 ponies were in or near the corral. Hoopy's left eye has some white mucus and she has 2 scratches on her left flank. No bleeding. Other than that they all seemed fine.

Trough: Stephen cleared the vegetation a bit but there's still some grass floating in it.

Tuesday 24th June

Muggy day on the Hill, and after I completed the butterfly transect, luckily found the ponies in the corral. They weren't looking very happy, although Kat came over for a sniff. Hoopy seemed to have a problem with her eyes, particularly the right one. She was flicking her head and rubbing her eye on her leg and its started to weep slightly. It's also partially closed. Also the left is a little weepy. It was very muggy up there and there were a lot flies around. As I left, she settled down a bit, but she didn't look happy, but then, none of the others did either. Other than that they all looked okay, but please keep an eye on her eyes. 

Monday 23 June

 The ponies were relaxing at the top of the site. Both troughs were full. No issues.

Friday 20th June

Popped into check on the ponies, spotted Karen butterflying, who told me they were up the main path. And sure enough they were, just past the Beech clump, on the path and in the hedges munching away merrily. Flam popped her head up to check me out and had a mouth full of greenery. Very cute! Looking well though so no concerns that I could spot. Looks like Doune has a scratch on her side, or maybe her coat just needs a flatten (but of course she won't let you near to check), but looks okay.

Tuesday 17th June

Arrived to find strange vehicles parked in front of the gate, access was just about maintained. There was a group up the main path, but all wearing blue T's so assumed they were official, so kept out of the way. The ponies were handily in the corral, looking a little tired with a few more flies around today, particularly around Hoopy. Other than that they all looked well and in great shape. 

(Will be around Winch tomorrow, so will try and pop in and check on them)

Apologies for Weds

 Stephen and I won't be checking the ponies on Weds. Family visit to Oxford.

Monday 16 June

 The 4 ponies were gathered at the corral and looking chilled. The troughs were full. On coming back down the hill they were still there. A late start for them maybe.

Saturday 14th June

Lovely day again, but getting there was a nightmare, congestion and road closures all over the place 😃. Ponies not in corral for once, so wandered past the trough and along the middle section, before turning up towards the main path and almost literally bumping into Hoopy! I'm not sure who jumped the highest, although Hoopy regained her composure quicker 😂. She looked really well, too interested in munching to worry about me. The others were on the main path, huddled closely, again intensely eating. Flam stopped for 20 seconds to say Hi, then resumed the munching. All looking great.

Wednesday 11th

Ponies were well hidden, when we checked on the way up. On the way back found them along from the bottom trough grazing long and short grass. All looked well. Doune was being a bit over inquisitive, so I pointed my stick and told him to go away, in Russian. He seemed to understand 'poshol, von.' Bottom trough full, top not quite.

Tuesday 10th June

Found the ponies, in the corral, where I left them yesterday after my butterfly survey. Still looking good, a few more flies today, and by the look of it a few more butterflies too! 

Monday 9 June

 The ponies were at the top of the site and grazing.

The troughs were full. No issues noted.

Sunday 8th June

 A lovely day today. Ponies enjoying the cooling breeze accompanying the sunshine half way up the main track.

Saturday 7th June

Muggy on the Hill and only one short downpour whilst I was walking up to the main gate. The ponies were up there, just stood around. Doune was a bit jittery and spooked, so not sure what that was, but otherwise they all looked well. 

Lots of birds around, and even spotted the yellowhammer by myself!

Thursday 5th June

 All 4 ponies were grazing about 200 m along the top path from the main entrance:

unfazed by the rain, and only vaguely interested in my arrival.  They all looked in good form.  Trough by the main entrance is OK - didn't trail along to the far one.

Regret I am away for the next 2 Thursdays - Fiona knows!

Wednesday 4th

The 4 ponies were by the corral, Doune was lying down at first. They all looked well and the trough was full.

Tuesday 3rd June

Arrived when drizzling, so luckily avoided the downpours. For some reason, known only to the council, they were busy flattening all the grass verges, but at least it looks tidy 😠. Found the ponies sheltering against the drizzle, about 100 metres up the main path and down a bit. They were in a little hollow, using a bunch of scrub as a shelter. They were all lying down apart from Hoopy, who had obviously lost the game of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' and was on guard duty. Other than looking tired a bit miserable they were okay. 

Monday 2 June

 Maybe the last sunny day this week. It was glorious on the hill. The ponies were at the bottom of the site in the corral. The troughs were full. No issues to report. 

Sunday 1st June

 A lovely day with a pleasant cooling breeze. The ponies were looking great in their summer coats and wisely sheltering in the lower corral.