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.