all cattle off site

All 4 cattle have been taken off site due too the lack of grass.

November 12

All seen by the gate...mooching again and not very lively...not grazing but look well otherwise.

Wed 11 Nov

 All seen at the beginning of my walk snuffling up the acorns amongst the oak and holly trees. I rescued one animal which had got its head stuck in between 2 branches. Later on I saw them all back in the corral eating the grass stubble. It does not look very appetising, are they getting sufficient nutrition from it?

Tues 10 Nov

None seen today.

November 9

forgot the blog but all seen...pretending to graze but actually snuffling for acorns...when there werent any though they were under an oak tree...

Mon 9 Nov

 All seen and look well.

Sun 8 Nov

 All seen this afternoon by the Ford gate and loving the attention of the passers by.

None seen

 

Sat 7 Nov

 None seen today.

Fri 6 Nov

All seen from a distance in the lower cleared area . I did not venture into the field for a closer look as it is very wet, muddy and uneven under foot.

November 5

All seen...just standing around in the fog looking wet but still fairly well covered over the hips. I could move the notices from the gates to these gates...email me if this would e good.

Wed 4 Nov

 Just 2 seen today. I suspect the others were deep in the undergrowth.

Tuesday 3rd November

 All found and fine. Drinking area is more than adequately full

November 3

I have just seen lots of sloppy poo in the north enclosure.. corral..which is presumably why I couldnt find them yesterday by the canal (and I checked the blog before hand this time). Are they meant to be in there? The middle gate was closed but there are no notices on the gates and the latch on the gate at the end of Pondtail road isn't working...and people have got used to leaving it open.... Some people won't go through when the cattle are there so they meed some warning.

Mon 2 Nov

 All seen quietly grazing by the gate leading to the Ford.

November 2

None seen after an extensive search.

Didnt see any when I went earlier

 

Sun 1 Nov

 All seen.

Thurs 29 Oct

 Only found 3 this afternoon grazing up by the kissing gate.

Wed 28 Oct

None seen this morning. There is a lot of sloppy poo about. Is this the result of too many acorns or just natural. 

Monday 26th

They were all spread out over the freashly cut area. Seemed excited about the area cleared of gorse. One looked a little thin. But all full of energy!

Tues 27 Oct

 All seen, very soggy but fine.

Monday 26th

 Spotted all 4 animals at 4.00 pm at the far end of the site, grazing along the path in C3. Several walkers (with dog) also on the path. Neither bothered by the other. These cattle are very docile. The cattle looked fit and well.

Mon 26 Oct

 All seen enjoying the sunshine at the Ford end of the field.

Sun 25 Oct

 All seen and all looking well.

Sat 24 Oct

 Just glimpsed the rear end of one of the cows. They are grazing deep in the dense undergrowth.

TB test Clear

The 4 youngsters have thankfully passed their TB test. The crush and hurdles will remain in canal section until Monday.

Thanks,

Jack

Scrub clearance works in canal section, cows in corral section

Just to let you know that HIWWT have contractors clearing scrub at present at Pondtail. They have finished one block at the bottom of the corral section today and will work on another block in the bottom corner of the canal section for the rest of the week. 

The 4 Sussex have been  moved into the corral section today as there's far less acorns there and the contractors will take down a short section of fence in the canal section to put the scrub arisings into the adjacent woods. The grazing team will check them this Friday 23rd as they are being TB tested. 

The areas cleared of scrub will look a little bare for a while but are essential work to prevent the heath disappearing beneath invading small trees and gorse. The resulting bare ground and pioneer heath will increase the range of heathland habitat at Pondtail. The wet areas should see some interesting wet heath species come back.

Also saw a Dartford Warbler there today too!

(Message from David Boddy!)

Tues 20 Oct

 All seen

Mon 19 Oct

 All seen and appear well.

Sun 18 Oct

 All seen still hoovering up acorns. 212 seems a little quiet but maybe I am imagining it given the signs and symptoms of acorn poisoning that we are looking out for. Trotted slowly behind the other three. Which animal was taken ill the other day?

None spotted

 

Sat 17 Oct

 3 seen in the distance amongst the dense undergrowth.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please watch out for symptoms of acorn poisoning in cattle

 Please note that we have had an incidence of acorn poisoning of cattle at Caesars Camp. 

There is a very high abundance of acorns this year, which cattle can sometimes get a taste for and start to consume in high quantities. 

The acorns contain a chemical which can cause the poisoning, with symptoms including:

• Constipation initially, followed by black watery diarrhoea
• Depression and loss of appetite
• They may be lethargic and slow to react with droopy ears and sunken eyes, and may be separated from the rest of the herd 
• Straining to pass faeces or to urinate - this is a very common symptom
• Weakening, collapse and death, usually within seven days of the onset of symptoms

Animals can survive this condition as long as symptoms are picked up early. Please be extra observant and let us know as soon as possible by contacting the staff member on call if you notice any unusual symptoms or behaviour. 

Thanks

Susanne, HIWWT

Fri 16 Oct

 All seen grazing by the kissing gate. Firecrest and Fox snuggling up to each other.

October 15

i went to look as i wasnt quite clear where the three to gelverts had come from but i saw none. wiill they be off for awhile? I cant look for two or three weeks now. the signs are still on the gates and the status says four cattle so i just checked to be sure e werent missing potentially sick animals...they have been busy in the acorns and there is a super abu dance of acorns this year. we havent had issues before.

Wed 14 Oct

 None seen

All 4 seen this morning and OK

Tues 13 Oct

 All seen sat down together chewing the cud. All look well.

October 12

All well, all found singly in the far south east corner. i will be unable to look next week and possibly the two following weeks, depending on lockdown .....

Sun 11 Oct

 All seen grazing along the canal fence.

None seen

 

None seen

 

Fri 9 Oct

 All seen huddled together under a tree near the gate. All appear well.

Thursday 8th October.

 Saw the herd mid afternoon and found them eating acorns along the path to the cattle drink. All four looking well.

Third 8 Oct

 All seen this afternoon. All looking well, still eating acorns.

October 8

None seen.

Wed 7 Oct

 3 seen alongside the canal fence hoovering up the acorns. 

October 5

All well...in two groups in south east corner.

Mon 5 Oct

 All seen and looking well. They all came over to me to have their noses rubbed!

Nil

 None spotted today or yesterday

October 2

ALL WELL today ...forgot itwas thursday yesterday...

Thurs 1 Oct

 All seen grazing happily. Firecrest and Fox came over to say hello and let me stroke their noses. They are lovely gentle animals.

Wed 30 Sep

 All seen up at the farm gate end. Firecrest was bellowing loudly with Fox joining in occasionally. Franco and Finch just looked on wondering what all the noise was about. Firecrest then strolled over to Fox for a cuddle. All looked well.

Tuesday early afternoon

I found them all by the drink. All looked fine

September 29

All four seen n passing. 197 alone and bellowing at the back ends of the three who were on the other side of the ditch and hedge and not responding..

Sep

I ONLY SAW 2 at 8.20... not shouting, just cant be doing with this editor!

197 back on

After a lovely holiday away 197 is back on site.

3

 3 spotted right in the corner of canal side and path onto site.  All appeared well.

Sept 25

 Forgot to post yesterday. Two seen from a distance.

Is the tick season over yet?

Carole

September 24

note to self...read the blog before heading out!. i can confirm that 197 is off site. the others look well.

197 off site

We have taken 197 off site and back to the farm. Hopefully will be back next week. The others all ok but have managed to get some of, a viral infection on there noses from being spiked by bushes. This hopefully will clear up but in the meantime it can be caught by humans so please be careful and aware if they come up and sniff you. Thanks

Grazing team

Monday 21st September

 All found along canal section. Noses a little crusty on edges, worth keeping an eye on. River access good. 

None seen

 

SAT 19 Sep

 One seen from a distance.

September 17

All well, by the farm gate. I talked to a chap who is already in touch with the Trust who will get in touch about being a looker. I won't be around on Monday...probably back on Thursday.

Wednesday 16 Sep

 None seen from the perimeter of the field.

Tuesday 15 Sept

As I walked along the tow path I spotted one cow in the deep undergrowth. Looked for ages but didn’t see the rest.

I keep getting bitten by ticks at the moment. I removed 4 of the little blighters from my left arm on Saturday. So until the tick season is over I will only look for the cows from afar. I won’t be venturing into the field.

Carole

September 14

ALL WELL, in the thick gorse near the canal at the west end.

None

 

September 10

All well, grazing in the south east corner. I found a piece of rope/bungee which has obviously made the inner journey from nose to tail...

Wednesday 9 Sept

 None seen.

Tuesday 8th September

All four were together by the field gate that enters the canal section from the track. All looking calm and well.

The cattle drink is ok too, lots of chub in there today.

September 7

I saw three in gorse...I banged about a bit but didnt see another. They were busy and calm. The heath was stunning this morning...all the gorse wrapped in shimmering web and the heather is fantastic this year.

None

 

Friday Afternoon

 Found them all just round from the gate towards the canal amongst the gorse.

All fine 

Sept 3

All well.

Sept 2

 All seen grazing amongst the thick gorse.

Carole

August 31

All well. The middle gate was open but no signs of excursion in the north enclosure, only an abandoned mask from the person who left the gate open and I found the cattle not far from the water. I shut the gate.

Nil spotted

 

Strange plant

Friday 28 Aug.
None seen this morning. According to my Seek nature app the plant that Helen saw is Weld.
Carole

Strange plant

I saw a strange plant ive not seen before..i have pictures but dont see where to upload them on this very frustrating blog site...it is waist height with narrow leaves and long seed wands like a huge plantain...its on the medical dump where the badgers have certainly been very busy and thereslots of stuff dug up. there are twoor three plants there.

August 27

All well today. my post on Monday failed to publish but I hadn't seen them anywhere.

fly sprayed

All looking well. Have sprayed them for fly and ticks as well.

Tuesday 25 Aug

None seen.
I will be away from Friday until next Tuesday so won’t be able to check on them over the weekend.
Carole

Monday 24th August

 All 4 found at oiled.shield.weeknight laying down. Water access good. Cows all good. 

None spotted

 

August 23

Seen in passing..looking well.

Saturday 22 Aug

 4pm

All seen grazing in the right hand corner of the middle of the field. In this area there appears to be an old/new dumping site of broken bottles and other broken glass items. The cows were particularly interested in this area. It needs to be made safe before the animals injure themselves.

Carole

Friday Aug 21

 3pm none seen. Carole

August 20

None seen. Is anyone else blogging on a iPad and having trouble with the touch sensitivity and keyboard quirks on this new format?

All seen near to canal fence

all seen

August 17

All well.

All spotted

 All 4 spotted stood grazing near the gate.  All appeared well.

Saturday Aug 15

 All seen grazing in the middle of the field. All look well. Fox let me rub his nose! Carole

Friday Aug 14

 7pm. None seen but there is fresh evidence that they have recently been at the watering hole. I expect they are tucked up in the thick gorse for the night! Carole

August 13

All well...seen this morning by the gates but forgotto blog...well done Carole!

Thursday 13 August

 None seen. Carole

Tuesday 11th August.

They were all laying in the shade by the kissing gate this morning. There was a bit of excitement when they realised that there might be a treat in the offing but they soon calmed down - likely due to the heat!

All four looking really well, plenty of water in the cattle drink too.

August 10

All well, browsing near the farm gate. Finch has a small bald spot right neck and a tick uner the right elbow. otherwise they are pretty tick free and only moderately bothered by flies.

Nothing seen

 

Friday Aug 7

 All seen near the top gate at 1730. There was quite a feeding frenzy going on.

Carole

Thursday

Saw the guys today about 13:00.  Called them with some nuts.  All looked well!

August 6

All well in the middle of the heath.

Aug 4th 4pm
None seen.
Carole

All doing well and came up to me when they saw me.

I shall miss these lil guys. All looking very well indeed.

Plenty of water and the usual fish

August 3 All well...how do you make this blog work?

Aug 2 4pm
All seen happily grazing
Carole

All seen close to the fence along the Canal. All seem relaxed and were grazing among the trees.
Noted the canal is very low on water and the flow to the stream along the site is barely a trickle. There is still enough to keep the watering holes filled but we should watch this if the drought continues it could become a problem.

July 31
All seen at the canal end of the field.
Carole

July 30

All well. They were lazing by the gate looking happy.

All in the main section sheltering under the trees parallel to the canal.

Hot day but all looking well. Funny how 2 of them always stayed a lil fluffy and lighter brown? Cattle drink had plenty of water. Middle gate still shut.

Tues 28 July
All seen and appear well apart from being covered in flies. Just as a point of interest is Ragwort poisonous to the cattle? There are a few plants growing in the field.

Sat 25th 1 pm.
None seen.
Carole

On site/off site gates etc

Not sure whether its related but I found the gate separating the two plots open on Wedneday roundabout lunchtime.
I shut it thinking it was left over by a member of the public.

Not sure whether it should be open or not....

All back on site.

All back in site after brief holiday. Water still all ok as well

July 23

They are by the gate waiting for you!All well.

Cattle still onsite, sorry!

Sorry all, please disregard my message from Monday regarding the cattle being offsite. I misunderstood the message from the grazing team - they only took the cattle offsite for the duration of the TB test, they brought the cattle back to Pondtail the same day.

Tomorrow is results day so they will be doing the same process which means the cattle will be offsite for the morning.

Monday 20th July - Cattle Temporarily Offsite.

The cattle have been moved over to Long Valley for a few days. They're being TB tested this week along with the Long Valley cattle so will be there until Thursday.

Sunday 19th 3PM

Boys were eating near the gate. Lots of flies around their eyes but seem clean for the rest.

When walking over to where they drink, they followed the old man and me about 3 min later.
Standing there spotting the fish in the water, they simply pushed us aside and had a drink.

They are certainly putting a bit of weight on and seem to be fine around people.

July 20

All well, just near the north water hole. I will be away next Monday.

Afternoon walk

Spotted 4 grazing the treeline just up from the gate in.  All appeared well.  I will be on leave for the next couple of weeks so unable to looker until mid-Aug.

July 18 1pm
All seen grazing in the shade
Carole

July 16

All well, browsing in the south east corner.

Wed 15
All seen, 2 curled up together dozing, 2 grazing.

Tues 14 4pm
All seen, all looking well.
Carole

Mon 13

All well...early morning by the gate but forgot to blog..

Monday 13th July

Found them over by the canal this afternoon in the SE corner. All looking good and lazily grazing away.

Nope......nothing

Walked the northern end of site then along canal at 12.30. No sign of cattle. Believe they were laying in the gorse! Will check next week.

July 9

All well...late post!

All looking well.

Sunday 5 July
All seen happily grazing in the field alongside the canal

Saturday 4 July, late blog post

Late afternoon, all 4 grazing happily near the gate at the scout hut. Looking healthy and clean.

July 6

Not seen in 45 mins.

Morning walk

None seen

Thursday - Was it a bit like this Helen? Haha!

All doing very well and met at the gate. They clearly thought I had something  of great interest to show them so they followed me to the cattle drink where they proceeded to do exactly as Helen described in her blog.

July 1st
None seen

July 2

A late blog..this morning they were all fine .

June 29

All well. They were all in the bath at once...all standing in the watering hole...I’ve got a lovely photo but not sure how to upload it...

Morning walk

None seen

25th June

The four relaxing by the kissing gate in the shade

June 26

Seen in passing...cuddling and pooing on the north path

June 25

All well, found east of the medical dump

24th June grazing team

All looking well and I have sprayed them for fly and ticks.

June 22

All well...found in two groups of two...under the poplars and on the far side of the north south ditch. No ticks. The wart has come off the nose of ?211... a small red patch left.

Morning walk

Walked round but none seen

Walked the boundaries of the site on Saturday and looked around the northern end. difficult to see any animals as the undergrowth and bracken is now quite high. Spotted one brown animal from the towpath laying down in E9 area.

June 18

No show except for two deer. This herd is more difficult to see than any previous...I’ve been on site ad hoc several days a week and searching or not, I don’t see them. There are several inaccessible areas on the site now and the perimeter track I use to get to the copse by the footpath behind Barford Close, has a lot of brash, ?from the canal. But it’s rained!Hallelujah!

Wednesday evening 17/06

All 4 were around the poplars, happily grazing after the rain. The one with the damaged ear and tag missing followed me around a bit, gently shoving me in the back. Was happy with a bit closer contact.

All look healthy and happy!

Tuesday 16th June.

Found all four just under the trees near the canal boundary in F10 this afternoon. It looks like two of them have only partially moulted but all four looking fit and well.

June15

All well along the western section of the towpath fence. They were rootling around in a pile of dumped oak leaves looking for acorns?

Afternoon walk

All 4 spotted cudding or snoozing near the main entrance.  All appeared well.

None seen

None spotted whilst cycling the towpath

Afternoon Walk.

Walked the boundaries of the site yesterday - taking our exercise. No sighting of the cattle. Will try again next week.

June 11

All well. In my extensive travel round the site I came across a collection of antique bottles unearthed by the badgers...too dusty I think to be a fire hazard...and two orchids...I’ll see if I can post the pics I took

Monday Afternoon

Found them all quite quickly on pond tail. All looked good.  Drink flowing well.

June 8

All well, in the poplar corner. 2 cuddling, 2 grazing, all clean, hairy and well rounded.

Morning walk

None seen

Friday evening 5 June

Found the team under the poplars happily grazing away around 21:30..
All look healthy and happy...

June 6

Seen in passing. All well

All looking very happy and content at the cattle drink. No issues or concerns.

June 4

All seen under the poplars by the medical dump again. Looking nicely rounded and the bald patches are well covered in new hair.

June 1

Not seen. I walked across the heath and then around the perimeter outside the fence but no show.

Morning walk

Easy spot.  4 by the gate cudding or snoozing.  All appeared well.

Saturday early evening

Having a sit down up from the gate towards where the land opens up into the corner to the scout hut.
Out of the sun, relaxed and chewing away they were.

All look fine, couldn't their arses as they were sitting, eyes look clean despite the many flies.

Friday 29th

Found them all hanging around in near the canal, looking sleepy

Morning walk

None seen

May 28 All under the poplars

May 27

All well, in the poplar corner by the medical dump....and managed to blog before bedtime...

May 27

Contentedly cuddling by the gate...seen in passing

May 25

All well.

Number 197, 23/05

Appears to be missing his left ear tag and part of his ear...

Afternoon walk

None spotted.

Morning walk

None spotted

Friday evening May 21

Found the 4 happily munching on fresh growth in the corner near the scout hut.
All looked very chilled and were happy enough to let us near.

Might need to borrow one to do my front lawn. I put him back where I found him once done...

One point though: I believe it's number 222 or 220 seems to have a growth on his nose on the left hand side. Looks like wards. He was happy enough me having a feel around and it did not seem painful or inflamed/puss filled.  Not sure, might warrant a look by someone more in the know. 

May 22

All well

May 21

All well. Very late blog...

Tuesday 19th May.

Found them all laying in the woods this afternoon. #210 has quite a large bare patch on its right shoulder but I think this is a combination of moulting and some wear & tear from being the barn. We'll keep a close eye on it though.

All four looking fit and healthy.

May 18

All well, found by the gate. Please could we have the list of days allocated or ad hoc again...I’m not sure what I’m doing....🤔

Morning walk

None spotted

Thursday 14th May.

Another easy find today - yep, they were laying up near the gate again! All looking fit, well and content.

Easy find, all laying up by the gate. I've missed these guys 😊

These are the lil chaps I had over winter at Bassetts Mead 😊 Apart from the patchiness which is more than likely the removing of their winter coat (not rubbing raw at present) they're looking well and I've now sprayed them all. Ticks be gone!

Cattle on site. 5/5/2020

4 small sussex cattle added to canal side.