Wednesday 13th

 4 ponies were by the corral, looking ok. Hoopy has a scratch at the top of her right shoulder, no longer bleeding. Trough full.

Tuesday 12th May

The ponies were again up by the fence line but quite close to the top of the site and the contractors, Flam particularly. All looked really well and were very happily eating. Doune had a mark along her back, but obviously I couldn't get too close to check it, so it is probably just the knap of her coat caused by the scrub. She didn't seem bothered so its probably nothing. 

Sunday 10th May

 A blustery day on the hill. Rich greenery everywhere and ponies’ summer coats showing nicely. They were all up at the top trough this morning.

Saturday 9th May

Lovely day on the Hill, and found the ponies by the fence line and adjacent to the Beech Clump. They were all grazing frantically and looking in good condition. 

Thursday 7th May

 4 ponies munching hawthorn about 300m along the top path, and a little way down the hill, making them difficult to spot but the occasional blow gave their presence away.  A brief hallo and then more munching.  Trough by main entrance is OK - didn't check the far trough.  

Met a bird-watcher who had popped in on his way to work, bemoaning the lack of water in the SW 'lake', which used to attract interesting birds like wood sandpipers.  Plenty of blackcap song plus a few whitethroats.

Weds 6th staff check

All four ponies looking fine, just below the eastern entrance, munching on the haw flowers. 

Went for a Duke hunt at the bottom too, but no luck. 

Tuesday 5th May

Reasonable day on the Hill. Started at the top of the site and spotted Hoppy in the distance along the fence line. By the time I got to her, the rest of the gang were coming along, stopping regularly to munch away. Hoopy was really friendly today, a sniff and allowed a stroke and pat. All looking well.

Sunday 3rd May

 A cooler day on the hill which is bursting into colour. Ponies were difficult to find today, I needed help from Hoopy who was also looking for the others, she called out a few times and they were finally reunited amongst the thick hawthorn scrub below the top trough. 

Saturday 2nd May

On the early today to avoid the rains that were forecast (although it's brilliant sunshine at the moment). The ponies were tracking up the main path, stopping every now and then for a nibble, a right little procession. They all looked well and fine. It's weird that I've never noticed before, but when you look at their legs from behind they look really skinny, I think its probably their knobbly knees fooling my eyes. Also have you noticed where Hoopy's summer coat is coming through light, it now looks like she's wearing long socks or stockings or maybe it's just me. 

Hoopy at the back in her long socks

Tuesday 28th April

A little overcast on the Hill today, but amazing to see how dry the ground is already. Bumped into a lovely healthy looking fox along the main path, I guess I was down-wind, as he nonchalantly strolled into the scrub. 

The ponies were at the top of the site, all trying to eek out any shoots of grass from the dusty path. Only Kat gave up and started on the hawthorn/blackthorn. They all looked well, no issues with flies or watering eyes.

Sunday 26th April

 Another lovely day. Ponies found amongst the hawthorn on the lower slopes.

All looking well.

Saturday 25th April

Gorgeous day on the Hill, and the ponies were a short way up the main path, eating the new shoots or attacking the blackthorn. All looking well, and the flies not too much of a problem, although there were a lot of midges (or something?).

Thursday 23rd April - St George's day!

 Beautiful sunny morning and the ponies were about 100m along the top path, happily grazing and munching on hawthorn.  They all looked well.

Water in trough by main entrance looked a bit green but trough full.  I didn't check the top trough.

Nice whitethroat displaying.

Wednesday 22nd

 4 ponies were near the top gate. Not trying to browse through the fence. Hoopy has some mangey patches and tried to nip me. The others looked well and happy. Both troughs full. Noticed some fly tipp over the road.

over the road.

We're away for the next 2 weeks, Fiona informed.

Fence alterations update

Hi all - we have shifted the spacing on the barbed wire protecting the hedge along the top boundary. Thsi si to hopefully stop the ponies sticking their heads through the wires! Let us know if you see them doing it again please, and also tell us where if so. Thank you :)

Tuesday 21st April

Late to the Hill today, and no sign of the ponies. Not at the top, nor along the top path, or the main path, or just along from the corral. Presumably they were down in the far corner, but ran out of time to check.

To confirm ponies not seen today. Sorry. 

Monday 20th April

All 4 ponies were looking fine up at the Eastern entrance. 

We're going hunting for a Duke next. 

Sunday 19th April

 A lovely day! Ponies doing fine new coats looking good, Hoopy also!

Saturday 18th April

Gorgeous sunny day on the Hill, butterflies flitting around, and no trace of rain. The ponies were at the top end again, grazing along the main path and way too busy to stop to say Hello. They all looked well, Kat is looking very sleek, to me Hoopy looked well (the coat is a bit patchy around her brandings).

Thurs 16th staff check

ponies found all together up at the eastern end of the site, happily grazing away and far too busy to take any notice of me! All looking well and all fine on the hill. Lesser WHitethroat heard :)

Wednesday 15th April

 4 ponies were lying down near the top gate. I see what you mean about Hoopy's skin patches. She wasn't scratching but those areas did twitch a bit. She looks somewhat dejected. Other than that they all seemed fine.

I noticed that some of the traveller's horses are on the bit of the waterworks with  newly dug ditches.

Troughs full and cleanish.

Mon 13th April - staff check

Visited with Kirsty and 2 work experinec students Bill and Tash. We filled up the water supply at both ends and gave the troughs a good clean out you should be pleased to hear! Saw the ponies at the western end and gave them a good inspection. Slightly concerned about Hoopy's coat still as it is looking like she has lost a few patches of hair, more than the usual moulting. Please keep an eye on this and keep a look out for signs of itching. She seemed unconcerned and otherwise they all looked great. They seemed very happy with the new water!

Tuesday 14th April

Calm day on the Hill with a bit of a chill in the air. As I entered the site a Red Kite swooped down to check me out, seemed quite small, so a youngster? Found three of the ponies about 200 metres up the main path, all very calm and focused. Couldn't find the Boss (Doune) for a while, looks like she was bringing up the rear but in amongst the scrub. She was fine though. Looks like lots of cowslips on the way up.

Sunday 12th April

 Ponies happily grazing on the main track. All looking well and enjoying fresh green shoots.

Saturday 11th April

Sunny but windy on the Hill today. Found the ponies at the top of the site getting slightly wind swept, but at least no flies. They were a bit huddled together and not looking overly welcoming of company, but other than that all seemed okay. 

Thursday 9th April

 All the ponies were conveniently by the corral:

They looked fine, if a little bored.  Nearby trough was fine too, if a bit green.  I didn't check the top trough.

Wednesday , 8th April

 4 ponies were on the track near the top. Quite frisky, all looked well. Both troughs full, a bit skanky. 

Tuesday 7th April

Lovely morning on the Hill with a bit of breezy chill going on. On the way to the top of the site stopped to watch a pair of stunning Kites soar over the Hill. The ponies were at the top end of the site on the top of the main path. They were busy eating, breakfast I assume, so not really in any rush to greet me. Hoopy's branding is starting to show through, and Doune's black spot is visible again too. And unfortunately I have to report that the flies are back in force. Other than the discomfort of that they all looked well. 

Lots of butterflies around, well Brimstones mostly, a pair of blues and my first Orange Tip of the year. 

Also the top trough is looking a little like pea soup, with the lower one only a little better. 

Sunday 5th April. Happy Easter

 Ponies up and about enjoying the sunshine. 

Saturday 4th April

 A bit blustery up on the Hill, but managed to avoid the rain. The ponies were at the top of the site, the three dark brown girls were surrounding Flam who was laying down. No problem as far as I could see, she was looking well and was happy to sniff my hand. All looking well, Hoopy still a little muddy and dusty. 

Maundy Thursday 2nd April

 Quite a chilly morning.  All 4 ponies were about 100m west of the top gate and close to the Morestead Rd.  3 looked very sleepy:

1 was grazing nearby.  They all looked well and troughs also good.

3 mewing buzzards overhead while I was with the ponies, and then a small flock of linnets flew over.  Blackcaps singing, but no other migrants yet.  Southern Water's 'lake' has indeed vanished.

Wednesday 1st April

 4 ponies were on the main track near the clump. All looked well, grazing and browsing. Hoopy tried nipping Stephen's sleeve, no harm done. Bottom trough was full. Lake is shrinking.

Tuesday 31st March

Nice and sunny on the Hill but still a bit breezy at the top, which is where ponies were. They were happily grazing away, Doune stopped when I arrived to monitor me. Her eye looks to have cleared up now, so that's good. An amazing pair of Red kites swooped low over the Hill so got a great look at them, so beautiful! All good. 

Sunday 29th March

 Ponies up at the far end of the track this morning. Winter coats rapidly disappearing. 

Saturday 28th March

Bright on the Hill but with the threat of rain approaching. The ponies were towards the top of the site, but a little way back down the path. They were all busy grazing so not really interested in stopping to say Hi. Checked Doune's right eye and it's still watering a bit, she seemed a little jumpy today. Flam and Kat started some mutual grooming, well Flam seemed to be trying to pull Kat's hair out?!

Thursday 26th March

 All 4 ponies were close to the top trough and grazing happily.  Obviously moulting a bit but looking well.   Nothing unusual to report.   Troughs OK but getting quite manky. 

While I was there, 3 red kites and a kestrel were enjoying the thermals,  then joined by a buzzard.  I met a couple of enthusiastic bird- watchers, who pointed out to me that it looked as if kestrels were going to nest in the large nest box at the bottom of the hill and on the boundary with the sewage works.  Certainly there was a kestrel perched on the entrance.   Otherwise,  chiffchaffs seen and heard.  

Wednesday 25th

 4 ponies were a few hundred meters up, quite a bit down from the path. All looked well. no signs of eyes watering. Trough full.

Tuesday 24th Mar

The wind was whistling over the Hill today, and it was freezing! If I only a lovely double layer coat like the ponies 😆. The ponies were at the top of the site, just below the gate/mound, Kat was hogging the water trough along with a bit of nose rubbing. Hoopy came to say Hello, but just an excuse to try and nip me. Cheeky. She looks like she's been rolling in the mud. Doune and Flam were on the main path. Doune's eye looks a little better, but still signs its been watering. Other than that all looking good. 

Friday 20th March - staff check

Apologies for late posting. We were visited per usual on the volunteer task - Hooopy having a good nibble of the tea kit and some of the mugs. Ponies have been enjoying our clearance works and getting into the new glades created. They are all starting to moult a lot. We have woven a load of cut branches into our cut Blackthorn stems - partly to keep dead wood on site for invertebrates and fungi, partly to create a nice dense habitat for nesting and for small mammals to use. But also of course for ponies to have a good nibble and bark strip, and they were getting stuck in to this straight away! I think Hoopy is looking a little skinny - she is longer in the leg than the others so that does make her look thinner, but please keep an eye on her. We would expect her to lose weight over the winter but I really hope that now she should put some weight back on. The site is looking gorgeous with the Blackthorn coming into flower, and I had a walk around and spotted Peacock and Comma butterflies.

Sunday 22nd March

 Another lovely day and what a difference a few days of sunshine does to clear the mud on the tracks. Ponies very relaxed, very very relaxed this morning. Coats now dusty rather than muddy.

Saturday 21st Mar

 Lovely day on the Hill, and found the ponies in their favourite spot right at the top of the site. They were eating and moving slowly towards the top gate, so I suspect they were having lunch before an early afternoon nap. Ah the life. They all looked well and nice and fluffy, although Doune had a weeping right eye. The left seemed okay. Something to keep an eye on. 

Thursday 19th March

 All 4 ponies were very drowsy, and close to the top gate, having a snooze and a sunbathe. Looking quite brown already.  They seemed to be fine, but unwilling to move.  Both troughs OK, but the water is looking a bit green.