Thurs 28th staff check

I visited to fill the water supply at the western entrance and the ponies were all seeking ahed in the corral area. Thankfully untroubled by flies and looking extremely sleek and well. I love the dappling visible on their summer coats.

Thursday 28th May

 Marginally less hot today and with a welcome breeze.  The ponies were sensibly in the shade by the corral, doing very little:

They looked well if more than a bit bored, and not many flies today.  Trough near the main gate was fine - I didn't traipse up to the top one!

Wednesday 27th May

 4 ponies were at the top looking well, though Hoopy is a bit thinner than the others. all grazing in the cool of early morning. Troughs full. Lots of butterflies.

Tuesday 26th May

Very very hot on the Hill this morning, with the thermometer already touching 30 degrees. Luckily I met the ponies a short way up the main path, as I was starting my Butterfly Transect (in reverse order to 'flatten' the hills). They seemed well, no issues with flies and happy munching away. 

And when I returned they'd moved into the shade of the corral, still looking fine and still only a few flies. 

Monday the 25th

 Monday the 25th of May

All ok, ponies all in the shade but no issues standing out. Saw some walkers which is unusual for me but all ok. Water troughs full and being used frequently given the heat. 

Sunday 24th May

 A glorious day again! Ponies busy having breakfast when I arrived this morning, summer coats looking great in the sunshine.

Saturday 23rd May

Very hot on the Hill today. The ponies were at the top of the site, hanging out by the gates. None of them looked very happy, but Hoopy looked really down, hanging her head and hunching her shoulders. She was also a little away from the others. No obvious signs of issues with all of them, and not too many flies, so probably just the heat. 

Fri 22nd staff check

Ponies seemed to spend most of the day hanging out in the shade by the corral. All looking really well and have put on weight and the top water supply has been filled today.

Thursday 21st May

 A much warmer morning, and all 4 ponies were by the top eastern gate, somewhat troubled by tiny flies (as was I).  However, they seemed to be coping well, and looked very well and sleek.  Both troughs were full.

The fine weather brought a few butterflies out - brimstones and orange-tip in particular:

I didn't see any Dukes, but I may have been looking in the wrong place.

Weds 20th May

No sign of ponies when I entered at the top, then they all jogged up to me from round the corner. 

All 4 present and correct, top trough working. 

Tuesday 19th May

A bit blustery on the Hill this morning, and found the ponies right at the top of the site, looking a little sorry for themselves. Other than that they were fine, although Hoopy was having trouble staying awake 😅

Sunday 17th May

 A bright day on the hill. Ponies helpfully gathered by the corral this morning. All looking well.

Saturday 16th May

The ponies were along the top fence line up near the east gate. They were heading west back down along the top path, led by Hoopy, who came over for a sniff. All looked well, no obvious issues spotted. 

Fri 15th staff check

Ponies are looking sleek and shiny and putting on some weight which is lovely to see. No issues noted. Plan to replenish water next week.  New sign makes a great scratching post.

Thursday 14th May

 All ponies were conveniently on the main track, close to the beech clump and grazing enthusiastically.  A brief Hello from a couple of them, before more food called.  All looking well, and trough by entrance fine too.  Hoopy's little scratch seems to be healing well.

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