Today at 1300 hrs the 3 girls were in J11 grazing some short grass and new heather.  They are fit, very clean and contented.

cattle checked with trainees

Checked the girls today, all good grazing gorse in k6

Visited today at 1015 hrs.  All three well and contented, two browsing bramble and one gorse in G and I 11.

Tuesday 22dn December - Site Check

Called in to do a site check today and found the three girls in H11/H12 all looking very well. They were nice and relaxed and after briefly checking me out they carried on with their cudding and grazing.

Trough working and all ok.

Grazing at this time of year: A quick note following on from Joanne's post below.

Joanne will not be alone with her concerns for the cattle during these leaner months, we fully understand (and are grateful) for your thoughts on our herds well being). I t’s good to know you are out there! : ) But please don’t be worried. At this time of year all of our cattle on all of our sites will be changing their diets to woodier vegetation such as bramble, heather, and gorse, and in doing so they are doing a fantastic job of keeping the scrub in check! All very normal, very natural. Get fat in the summer, leaner in the winter. Rest assured we keep a watchful eye on their condition at this time which is of course reinforced by your good selves. Mineral blocks ‘licks’ are sent out to supplement those sites where the cattle are a getting a little thin. In Bramshot’s case, the girls are fat with plenty of ground  / forage : ) Our stocksman (Jack) is very happy with their progress. So again, please don’t be concerned at this time of year. And importantly, please, please don't feed them as this not only affects their diet but their grazing habits which in turn effects the site as a whole. They do a fantastic job, but they must have freedom to express normal behaviour.

Thank you Joanne : ) And thank you one and all for your efforts! They are as always greatly appreciated. And Merry Christmas!  

Today at 1pm

They are all standing very near the gate near the big woods staring at the lush grass in the field. I'm sorry but I am worried they are hungry. What can I bring here for them. X

Visited today at about 1330 hrs.  The ladies are fine and browsing/grazing in N7/8.  Met the Trust staff member visiting today too and had a chat.  Thin the ladies will look forward to the cattle nuts he has!  Grazing/browsing material on the area looks a little thin now.

visited today at 10.30 am

All the girls fairly close together very near the reptile watch area in central heath field, heads down munching away. X

Today 12.36

as if by magic I lookup from blogging and there they are eating gorse and bramble leaves a litthe up from the trough. X

At site now

Thanks for clarification about cattle movement for winter that's great. I haven't had long today so haven't found them yet but yesterday they seemed happy trotting from one side of the heath to the other. Xx

Cattle plans for winter

Hello all,

Further to Jo's question about cattle plans we aim to keep the livestock on site all winter.

Historically we have taken them off, mainly at the request fo the previous grazier as they were concerned about forage levels.  However, as these are our own cattle, they are in very good condition and we are more confident about their ability to find food within the site, we are hoping they will be able to stay on all winter.

As winter progresses we will obviously be keeping a good eye on their condition, particularly their back bone by their tale, and their hips, which is where their condition will deteriorate first.  Should we need to they will be able to be taken off at very short notice but hopefully this will not be the case.

By being on all winter they will have to alter their diet to go from the grasses to the shrubs which means you will likely see them eating more bramble leaves, holly, gorse, oak and birch branches and heather.  All of these are pretty abundant on site, hence our confidence on food availability, and the effect of grazing on these species should be beneficial to the heathland as a whole.

Best wishes

Elliott

visited today at 3.40

The girls are hanging out by the first gate in the car park. Just wondering when they leave for winter. Is there still enough food here. Just wondering because they are usually gone by now. Xx

Today at 1215 hrs the girls were together laying and cudding in K10.  A bit dirty from browsing under tress and scrub but they are contented and well.

Visited today at 1315 hrs.  The girls a bit separated.  Rosemary browsing bramble in H11 and Kitkat and Lola grazing pretty poor grass in I10.  However, all look very well and very content.  The trough is OK too.

visited today at 12

The girls were all laying around expecting rain I imagine in the small bunch of trees in the top left corner of the open heath area. I Brought alone two bags of apples they had trouble at first trying to chew so I crushed them all with my feet and they hungrily devoured the lot. Is this ok.xx

Tuesday 1st December - Site Check.

After a bit of search I found the girls down near the cattle grid in D6/D7. Two of them were searching for acorns while the other one was munching on brambles.

All three looking fit and well.

Today 2.55pm

Just as I was about to give up I found the cows happily grazing in the undergrowth near the first gate from the car park. All seems well altho I don't think I would enjoy eating brambles. Are they allowed apples that have fallen from my apple trees. X

visited Sunday and Monday and today

I haven't been able to find the girls for 3 days now, I'm here now and will continue to look for the next 40 mins or so. Where can they be hiding. Xx

Wednesday 25th

All three girls were hidden away in the undergrowth but cam out with a shout and a rattle of a bucket. Please to have a few nuts. All looking fine.

visited today at 3.30

All the girls grazing in the center of the heath field. X

visited today at 2.30

All three girls spread out along the top edge of the heath field eating gorse and reachable pine branches. X

Early visit this week at 0830 hrs today.  3 ladies fit and well in H9 - albeit a bit dirty from rubbing up against wet birch - and grazing some grass but mostly browsing bramble and gorse.

visited today at 2.30

The girls were slightly spread out in the trees at the top of the heath field adjacent to the road. Again eating the pine needles they could reach. Bless em,I might start bringing the fallen apples and the veg peeling. X

As we found out when we met, the chap with the stick was me!  The cattle are fine and well, browsing gorse in H8.

Today

Madly enough my dogs are being really protective over the cows there's a fellow taking pics of them he has a long stick. They didn't like it lol. X

visited today at 2pm

All the girls grazing amongst the gorse and fern in the top left corner of the heath field near the track. Wow they have actually resorted to eating gorse rather them than me. X

All found in the middle section among the heather.

All looking good, not impressed by the weather. 063 slightly thinner but not a concern at present, it may be my imagination.

Nice on the blogs today guys, I wasn't sure when I would be out so it will always be a random day, thanks for blogging after me.

On the subject of what they are currently eating, could I ask a small favour? Now is that time of year where concerned members of the public start to worry about an apparent lack in grazing on a lot of our sites, if you asked, it would be fantastic if you could allay their fears for us with some simple facts / information. For example:

·         A lot of people  will not realise that gorse, heather, bramble, birch and scrub in general are a very natural and seasonal change in the diet of our cattle. Summer they put the weight on, winter they loose a little.

·         They are constantly being monitored by your good selves as well as us so rest assured then that when we feel they are starting to loose condition, they will get the licks (mineral blocks) and if required they will be taken off site.

·         Importantly, it's now that are cattle really crack on with the conservation grazing, this grazing removes the thick grasses, scrub and dense vegetation, allowing the wild flowers to germinate and thrive, and remains one of the best tools we have to maintain our precious heathlands!

Thank in advance all, and thanks again for your efforts and support!

Guy

Visited today at 1315 hrs. All 3 fit and well and browsing thin gorse under the trees in M7.  Difficult to tell them apart in their winter coats, and to read their ear tag numbers, but Kitkat has a small gash at the top of her left hind leg.  It's dry and healing, however.

visited today at 12.20

All the cows grazing on heather in the middle of the heath field. X

visited today at 3.50

All three hanging out under the laurel bushes by the front main gate. One still has a very black head.lol.x

visited today at 3pm

All the girls happily grazing on the path at the top of the heath field, one of them has got a completely black muddy head. I guess she's been rubbing in something fun. Xx

Visited today at 1500 hrs.  3 girls around E15 very intent on searching under a complete carpet of sweet chestnut leaves; presumably for sweet chestnuts?  I could not ascetain what it was they were eating but it wasn't the leaves, and there was no grass under the leaf carpet.

They all look very well, in great condition and set for winter.  The trough is OK too.

visited today at 12pm

All the girls are sniffling around under the chestnut tree just up the path from the trough, they are searching for and munching on chestnuts.the crunching is soo loud. I could watch them doing this all day. X

Tuesday 3rd November

Found the girls in N4 this afternoon all looking well. Trough full and ok.

2/11

Did visit yesterday evening but with the fog I couldn't find the girls. X

visited today at 2.30

All seemed pretty serine today as they grazed on brown long grass at the top corner of the field at the train track side. Is it just me or are they looking a little thin.x

10:15 this morning, the girls were between the trough and the gates again, must like this area at the moment. All had their heads down munching what they could find and all looking good.

visited today at 1pm

All happily grazing in the grass adjacent to the train track in the top corner. Sorry about the strange Co ordinates but I can't seem to get the map up on my phone. X

visited yesterday at 3pm

All the girls were happily grazing around the gate near the trough.there poo seems a strange colour very light brown and very soft.

Spread between H4 & H5 at 10:15am, one sitting the other two munching away wagging their tails. They all looked very calm and didn't move at all when we approached them. Looking good. Will they be staying through the winter?

Thursday 29th October

Found the girls in F4 under the Oak near the gate. As with the cattle on a lot of our other sites at the moment they were feasting on acorns. All three were well and relaxed.

Beaten to it!

We have dropped the girls back today after their TB test (all clear). They have been in the pen with a few other cattle which always gets a bit messy and a little stressful for them which will be causing the messy back ends. Also the field they have been grazing was very lush which will also contribute. If it does not clear up in a few days then let me know. Cheers,Jack

Bit concerned

On follow them up to the top corner it actually seems that they have had or got explosive diarrhoea. They are all covered in it back there. Is that as a result of them tb jabs. X

Nice to see the back after there little holiday. X

visited today at 2.30

As in arrived and parked alleged the girls walked straight over to the gate by the car park had a look then walked all the way downloaded the path the runs along the railway.they all have black mud on the rear ends, quite amusing as tho they have been sitting in mud. X

visited today at 1pm

All the cows heads down amongst the fern in the right hand side of the main heath area. Can any please identify all this black poo that's around it often has lots of berrys in it?  I've Google it but can't get an answer. X

Me again

And the fallen chestnuts.didn't realise they did that.x

Today at 1.23

172 is eating fallen acorns off the path, crunch crunch cool.x

visited today at 1.15

All the girls grazing with a few metres of the trough. Wow they suck up an amazing amount of water when they drink.there's a bit of a wind and there are spike sweet chestnuts falling all around us the cows don't seem at all bothered altho they are all just out of range, wonder if that is deliberate. Xx

Three well-built ladies - with their thicker coats - looking very clean and fit in F4 at 1800 hrs tonight.

In C & D15 by the gate at 08:15 this morning, all heads down munching away on what they could, tails wagging. They looked very calm and relaxed and not bothered by us at all. I thought they looked quite healthy actually

As per Joanne's post, all near the gate and looking well. I've dropped off a lick and bucket at the trough.

You can't miss it, it's bright blue! If you can, pLease tell one of us when its empty : )

VIsited today at 3pm

All their cow's happily grazing near the gate today's the car park. X

visited yesterday at 4.30

All the girls seemed quite happy if a little agressive towards each other. I know it's gross to mention the vulva problem but it seems very red all around now and is seeping sticky fluid. Sorry must mention that tho. Xx

visited today at 6.30pm

All good here one is rubbing herself crazily on a pine the others munching happily away. Now they are rubbing heads together very sweet,oh now it looks like they are having head argy barge. Crickey now all three are head bu tying one another. Xx

visited today at 11.00am

Two of the girls happily munching young silver birch trees and the other rubbing her face like mad on a pine trunk about 20 mtrs away. All looks fine. Oh in the heath field. Xx

There about an hour before Joanne.  The 3 were hidden in the bracken in N9 doing a bit of trampling and grazing the grass beneath the bracken.

visited today at 3pm

All the girls happily grazing away in the fern about 50 metres in front of the far right gate in the heath field. Xx

All heading toward the trough along the track from H12 to G13. Calm, happy, healthy.

Trough ok.

visited today at 1.30

All happily grazing central heath land. They seem very calm and contented. X

visited sat 4th at 7pm.

All the girls were gathered near the gate by the trough,all seemed well .x

visited friday

all the girls very calm and contented in N4/5,they seem to like this corner at present,x

Army on the area today but the 3 (well rounded?!) ladies were contentedly munching in I13 at 1745 hrs today.  They really do look well.

visited today at 11.45

Looked for an hour to no avail must be hiding .

visited yesterday at 4.30

The three girls were happily munching away about 10 metres down from the far top right pedestrian gate. All seemed calm.

All 3 soptted together looking very calm in the middle (K8/L8) area.

Looking good and healthy, very calm and relaxed. No problems to report.

visited today at 7pm

All the girls happy mid heath mounting each other but seeming very calm.x

trough

Well done to Elliott trough is working fine. X

visited today at 12.20

Two of  the girls were gathered in the trees in the top left over near the railway track, 172 was crazily scratching in a low pine branch and also eating pine needles from time to time.190 is amongst the fern an gorse near by. Xx

visited Tues and we'd at 11am

Both day the girls were grazing happily in the grassy areas to the far right of the heath land. All seem very pieceful and they weren't at all bothered by us being very close.

All 3 in J10 at 1745 hrs today; looking calm, relaxed and very, very good

All 3 Spotted just down the path of the main exit. 2.55pm.

Kitkat slightly apart from the other 2, Lola being a little moody but calmed down. Bit of bulling. No ticks, no problems with 2 groups of dogs passing by including a couple inquisitive pups. All good.

visited today at 10am

I couldn't find the girls at all on weds or Thurs but this morning they are happily grazing around about the portaloo .they looked very calm.IWas going to mention that the trough wasn't filling when I checked it yesterday but Elliott is on it. X

trough update

I have purchased a new unit and attached it to the trough.  However it is not filling as I ran out of ptfe tape so could not seal it so it leaks under pressure.  I will look to remedy this early next week.  In an ironic kind of way the trough was more full when I saw it on Wednesday than when I saw it on Monday morning......rain!

Visited today at 1800 hrs.  Army on the area.  The ladies were in tucked away under the trees/in the bracken in N8/N9.  They  look very well.  Checked the trough - it's fine.

visited yesterday and today at 2pmish

Couldn't find the girls at all yesterday but I did check the broken trough and it still had loads of water in it. Today the girls are happily grazing mid heathland.  They seem calm and content .

Trough properly vandalised

Hello.

A good job has been done on the trough.  I suspect more theft than vandalism but broken either way.

Off to shop to get replacements but trough now off in meantime.  Plenty to last them a week in there and weather forecast for week ahead should extend that.

Searched for girls and found them all in North East corner.  No signs of stress or injury so think angst was taken out all on trough.  I have spoken to fleet pond Rangers and was informed that they too have had a series of three cases of trough vandalism in last 6 weeks, so possibly a common fashion in fleet.

Elliott

Just called Dave to report the trough problem as I was concerned about possible cost implications/water loss etc

Saturday & Sunday visits

Saturday at 08:30 the girls were in O2 on the road with one down the ditch on the railway line side but obviously ok as she was wagging her tail at she was looking at me. All looked fine.

Sunday at 08.00 I spotted one them in F4 not far from the gate with the others further over in G5, again they looked fine, wagging their tails, heads down munching away.  I then carried on walking, when we got to the water trough I noticed the ground was saturated.  The spout/overflow or what ever it's called (front right with brown piping around it) is pouring out water.  I looked to see if I could switch it off but no luck I'm afraid.

Visited today at 1415 hrs.  Army training on the area.  The ladies all round the trough out of the Army's way.  All look very contented and well if a bit troubled by lots of flies as its very warm and sunny.  Lola up for a head scratch as usual the others, as usual, not quite so brave.  Trough OK too.

Monday 7th September - Site Check

Found the girls really quickly today as they were tucked around the corner in E4 near to the car park. They were all looking good. There was a bit of bulling between Lola and Kitkat but other than that they seemed nice and relaxed and enjoying the sunshine.

visited 4th/5th/6th

i have seen the cows all over the weekend they seen fine and very calm,i have however been keeping and eye on 190 as she seems to have a part of the vulva sticking out quite far.Sounds like a strange thing to say but it is being knocked about by her tail and must be uncomfortable and may get sore.It is quite pink and my be a slight prolapse. I havent noticed this before now and feel the need to mention it.

All found tucked away in the corner at A7.

They couldn't get any closer to that pedestrian gate bless'em. As discussed in my comment to Joanne, other than some bulling going on (172 mounting 190, 190 attempting to mount 063), there is nothing else to report.

visited yesterday @6.30 pm

kitkat seemed a little upset not quite sure why she seemed to want us to go away and on our approach i could see her running at the others,strange really because shes usually the calm one. Any way they were all in j/k 5,otherwise all seemed well.There has been and oil spill [some lovely person dumped oil butts and it all spilled out into th puddles ] in the carpark that was being treated as we left yesterday,lets hope it has no adverse effect on out girls.

At 0800 hrs this morning the girls were in C4 seemingly having "just got up".  All seem OK.

At 9am this morning we found 2 of the girls by the main entrance in E4, couldn't see the other anywhere though.  172 Rosemary looked like she had caught herself (left rump area), it might be nothing but please check. They did look a bit messy like they have laid in something but other than that they looked fine.

Visited today at 1000 hrs.  The girls were - for the second week - by the main gate in E4.  They are fine.  With so little walking necessary to find them, I decided to walk down to the trough.  It's fine too.

visited today at 12pm

sorry for the lack of blogging im hoping now my computer woes are over. i have however been visiting bramshot alot and so i have been keeping an eye out. 190 has seemed a bit moody lately,a few times shes seemed to be trying to see me off. also quite alot of coughing has been noted. I do find it hard to tell the difference and its real hard to see their tags. However today they seemed very calm all standing together chewing,they were remarkably still other than their mouths,in the middle of the heath. x

in K12

I saw all three cattle in K12 as I went through the site today on my way to pondtail,

they were up and grazing and looking well.

Elliott

The girls were in E4 right next to the main entrance this morning tucking into leaves and brambles without a care for the fleets of dog walkers going by.  All 3 look very well.

9:15 this morning, the girls were walking around from H4 to H5 with their heads down munching away and wagging their tails. They didn't even look up at us as we passed them. All looked fine.

The ladies were in E14 happily munching at 0845 hrs this morning.  Rosemary has fresh blood trails around her tail - from a freshly squashed tick, I expect.  This was not bothering her.

All Ok Tuesday

I found them out on the open heath quite quickly. They all looked good no problems. Tested the trough. All working.

At 9:15 this morning the girls were spaced apart between M12 & M13. They had their heads down munching away looking quite contented. I did see lots of flies but they didn't seem bothered by them.

visited today @ 6pm

   two of the girls were in k11 happily munching one of them [silly me forgot to check her no.]was lying down amoungst the fern in k13 pretty difficult to find but with me very close and my dogs running around her she didnt get up or even attempt to ! she had hundreds of flys and wasps on her eyes and nose and i was left feeling quite concerned,especially as the other evening i was surprised to see one of the girls a way from the others. xx

The girls were conveniently in F2 and F3 this morning - after I'd walked round the whole area first!!  However, all well and eating brambles and elder.

Good to see the  cow's as I couldn't find  them anywhere yesterday in the morning or the afternoon. This evening at 8pm they are strangely  very spread out in the  centre of the heath. Looking very  chilled indeed. X

All good Tuesday afternoon

They were grazing out in the middle of the heath, chomping Molinea amongst the bracken. No problems were apparent.

visited today @8pm

the girls were all hanging out in e4 right by the gate in amongst the rhododendrons . x

visited yesterday @7pm

all the girls peacefully grazing in j5. x

At 0830 hrs today the ladies were all well and grazing in N14 and 15.  Lola did sneeze a couple of times but she looks fine.

visited today @ 8.30 pm

was walking around til about 10pm at near the end of my walk about 9.30 i suddenly came face to face with three white faces with their ears very errect and their eyes wide,was a lovely picture indeed. they were in the ferns in g6.All very calm and interested. x

visited today at 3pm

Sorry for my lack of blogging my computer is up the Creek. Anyway I visited most days last week and all is calm and we'll. Right now the girls are happily grazing in the top corner of the heath field (I can't access the map as I'm on my phone and don't want to lose the thread. Alls lovely and calm here. X

At 8am this morning, 2 were together in K6 with the other in K8. All had their heads down munching away. Didn't get too close but all looked fine.

Visited at 0900 hrs today.  Found the ladies in H13, with Rosemary deep in the thicket there going for the longer grass under the bracken and shrub.  She has a backside that looks to have had ticks (not a good look).  Otherwise all 3 are fit, contented and well.

All found under the oaks, centre of the reserve.

Kitkat had a case of the snots bless her, and Lola was a little out of sorts, I suspect the flies and GIANT horseflies had something to do with it however. Of the 3, Lola seemed to be the inquisitive one, and was first to the truck. All looking very clean, barely any ticks, no problems to report. Very quiet day at Bramshot, its 2.55 and not a soul about.

Found the girls under a lonesome pine in L12.  All well and contented, though Kitkat has what look like bloodstains from ticks on her backside.  Not very elegant but they don't look anything significant or of concern.

visited today @ 2pm

the girls were spread alone the path in e5 near the car park entrance,they do have an awful lot of ticks some live some popped with blood smears is this dangerous to them . x

visited yesterday @ 2pm

All the girls were chewing and munching on low branches in amougst the fern in j/k 6. x

Popped into see the ladies today and found them in H7.  All fit, well, contented and munching heartily.

visited today @ 2.30 pm

All the girls happily grazing away in j5. x

No sighting yesterday or today but was good to see some of the English White's in Winchester yesterday along the river Itchin, all looking good relaxing in the sunshine

All good

All 3 ladies were happy and sunning themselves in the shade. All looked good and were very calm.

All 3 together in K14 at 11:40 this morning walking along the path in the woods towards us. They appeared to circle us so I did put Rosie on her lead just in case! I have to say that For the very first time I was a little weiry of them but managed to get through whith them just starring at us.  Apart from that, all looked fine.

visited yesterday @2pm

All the girls were happily grazing in h 5/6. x

Looked in on the girls at 0830 hrs today.  Very contented and well, lying chewing the cud, in a shady patch by the main track in in B5.

visited yesterday @ 2pm

All the girls were laying down facin the way they were walking at the end of the little path in d6.They looked like they had just flopped where they stood,i'm guessing they were expecting rain. xx

The Bramshot 3 were there waiting for me just off the side of the track to the main MOD gate in the car park.

While checking I had some time to talk to some dog walkers and was glad to see some that I had discussions with on cattle behaviour and approach techniques the last time I was in. Things have progressed nicely for them, and they described how before they would avoid the cattle but now actively seek them out. I tried some salesman techniques but failed to recuit them.. So far anyway ;) The Bramshot 3 are doing very well, they look good and healthy, very relaxed, often curious by dogs but never chasing. No ticks, no sun burn, no problems.

I found the dead bird in the trough and picked it out yesterday

trough

forgot to mention i picked loads of feathers out of the trough ,lots of them were in sections so im a little worried theres a dead bird in there. i also cleared away lots of fern ,nettles and a few brambles but they proved a little spikey for me. x

visited today @3pm

The girls seemed very calm and content in l5. x

visited yesterday @3pm

All present and correct happily grazing in j10. Flys look very annoying i need bless em,i feel like putting some repellent on them lol. x

Even I found them second time around in tall bracken in H13, then to the trough for a mega drink. Trough working well!! Cattle fine but I too noticed the odd bloody spot on them.

All 3 very keen to greet the truck today. All looked well, albeit with a few blood streaks from squashed ticks and quite a few flies.

visited yesterday @1.45pm

all the girls were in the little ditch near the big patch of pines in j5,they were pretty huddled together in a small amount of shade grazing fairly happily,they were so close they were keeping the flies and wasps of each other as well as themselves. x

Visited today 0830-0930 hrs but couldn't find
the girls anywhere; just lots of empty cans of lager!!  Will try again later in the day.

visited yesterday around 10.30 am

The girls were grazing happily in l/k 14 x

visited yesterday at 8pm ish

All the cows grazing away happily in and around the trough area,they seemed very interested in my kids ,the cow with the sore nose took a definate like to my daughter which was very sweet indeed. Off out now so fingers crossed they decide to show themselves to me today. x

All found happily grazing in the sun just off the track in L5.

Very relaxed, very happy. The odd bit of head rubbing, and I got licked.. Good feedback from a passer by.

visited today at 2pm

Yay found them at last,they were all happily grazing and or rubbing themselves on the trees in j/k 13. i can relax now. xx

Visited at 0915 hrs today for some 20 mins spent with the cattle.  They are all fine, in the shade, in M3 where the grass is nicer.  Lot of dog walkers, some with dogs that raced in and barked at the cattle but not one of the ladies flinched.  All the owners immediately called their dogs back but not all dogs immediately responsive!  I think a dog would have to get very close and be very aggressive and persistent to bother these three ladies.  Will pop back and re-fix one of the cattle notices coming loose at entry O13.

even more worried

Been looking for over an hour now and the nearest I've got to finding the cows is some wet poo on the path towards the water trough. How strange. X

worried

i visited weds thur friday no sign,i wasnt well mon so no walk and no sign tues or yesterday,i did try to contact the office but no one got back i left a message for elliott but im worried are they still there. i will be heading over a little later so fingers crossed. i see they were there last thurs,have they found a new out of way hang out that i havent found? please help. x

Visited the cattle early; 0730 hrs this morning (before the changed NERT this week).  All 3 are fine, looking good all over and very contented munching the longer grass under the trees in K4.  On some gates some notices could do with re-fixing as the odd staple or tie has come off.

frightened running cattle

I have had a report that on Monday lunchtime at just after 12noon the cattle were running fast through the site and into the wooded area near the car park. They went into a path in the woods and continued running. Fortunately the chap that reported it was able to get out of the way and has walked past the cattle every other day before this without incident. Of note is that also we had another report that on Monday an out of control white dog at Pondtail, chasing and lunging at the cattle (just down the path past Fleet Pond). This was at 12.30. Although I can not be sure it is possible that the same dog chased the girls at Bramshot Heath on the way through and that is why they were running. We checked the cattle as soon as we were notified yesteday and they were all calm and ok. If you see any dogs chasing the cattle or the cows behaving erratically please give them a wide berth and let one of the team know. Details of dogs/owners is also useful to us, if you feel their behaviour is inappropriate. Thanks Laura

visited tues @2pm and wed 2pm

sorry forgot to blog yesterday but all the girls happily grazing in e6/7 and no joy today altho i looked for over an hour,i even had apples for them. x

All found this afternoon

All found grazing together up by the railway line. I couldn't see any problems . They all looked very well.

seen today @5.30ish

All the girls were gathered in the vicinity of the water trough which is working fine. The girls seemed happy and calm,i was giving my dogs a drink out of the bowl and the cow with the sore nose came over and my dog silver and said cow sniffed each other nose to nose,their noses were actually touching above the trough,it would have mad a great photo.Quite a sight to see to be sure. x

visited today @2pm ish

All the girls happily munching away in L/M 5,everything seem ed very peaceful today,i must say i do love the intense eye contact they give me,i really think they recognise us already. x

Visited today at 0945 hrs.  Ladies serious munching in L and M8.  All well and content.  190 (Lola)'s nose seems fine and 172 (Rosemary)'s scar is just that; it's fine too.

visited today @ approx 2pm

All the girls very close together in j8,when i say close you couldnt get closer as they seemed to be trying to mount each other and they didnt seem to mind which end either,lol.Prehaps its a way to discover whos 'top dog' as it were.

visited yesterday @2pm

all the girls happily grazing in n/m4. There does seem to be some skin irritation on the the cow with the scar on her side [just near the scar],it looks like it maybe getting a bit scabby. I meet Andy there at the same time so nice to meet a new face. I love how brazen they are with the dogs ,its nice to see that the dogs are healthily scared of them. x

visited today at2pm

All the girls having a really good munch,the barely looked up,they were all close in L9.She did look up long enough for me to notice that the cow with the sore nose looks much better,the edge of the sore is going white so healing i think. Trough seems fine. x

Visited today at 1715 hrs. Found 2 girls and - after some time - 190 several hundred yards away on her own.  She was then spooked a bit by an aggressive black dog.  Had a word with the owner.  Was a touch concerned but after 20 mins all 3 ladies got together again round the water trough and then stayed together.  190's nose looks as though its healing; no fly activity around it.

nose

sorry just noticed you already know that lol. x

nose

i just wanted to say i got quite close yesterday and noticed that one of the cows has a sore on the end of her nose,it does look quite red. x

In G13 at around 1ish this afternoon, trotting along the road, seemed very happy & just ignored us. All appeared fine & didn't see any flies around them

Visited about 0815 hrs.  Eventually (!) found the ladies - all looking very well - moving through the southern wooded area to the water trough.  (Trough OK).  Quick drink then on again northwards - probably to mix it with the soldiery on the area.

All 3 ladies relaxing in the sun almost dead centre of the reserve. Looking good.

Well, they 'wree' relaxing up until the army boys had an excercise with some flash bangs and small arms fire haha. I think the girls will just need to get used to that. They dissapeared into the woodlands while it was happening, thier not daft. Please note cow 172 has an old saesarean scar on her left flank, it looks a little strange but we are aware so no cause for alarm. WE suspect its getting some sun which has made it dry. Cow 190 has got her self a small wound on the end of her nose bless'er. It was seeping a little today and attracted some fly activity, have let Jack know who will probably sprey it next time he goes. Other than that all good, tought on.

new cattle

i didnt recieve an email about the cows being back so havent been walking that area saw them this last week though so i guess i'll start blogging. They definately seem to love rubbing there heads in the soil piles ,its very funny,prehaps they are trying to camoflague themselves. x

Between 10:30 & again at 11:15 this morning, all 3 girls were sitting in the same place in I11 chewing the cud.  They looked quite contented considering the weather!

At 8:30 this morning all 3 girls were together on the triangle in L/M9, heads down and taking no notice of us at all which was good.  All appeared fine.  Talking to a fellow dog walker, who informed me of an incident recently they saw whereby a Golden Retriever was barking/frolicking around the cattle. This is the same dog that was causing issues last year (if you recall).  Not sure how you want to play this one?

All grazing in j6

All three were looking lovely as they grazed the grasses and birch.  Eyes clear. Clean coats. All tags present. Happy days

Visited c1100 hrs today. CCF contingent doing basic training and living out tonight on the area.  The ladies grazing serenely but determinedly amongst the training groups in I, J and K 13!   All look well; CCF more wary of them!!  Some of the staff asked me about the cattle.  But, 200063 (I think, though her ears kept constantly moving to ward off flies!) has a noticeable, 6-inch graze on her right flank.  I do not think it's anything to be concerned about, however.

Nearly gave up today but double backed along the path parallel with the boundary fence when we saw the girls coming towards us in H8/9 at 12:45. Gave them a wide birth as they passed us, all looked fine.

Impromptu first visit to the 3 ladies today at c1450 hrs.  In determined transit, line astern, moving S to N on the path H11 to H8.  All looked jolly well.

Thought I'd blog as I was over there today.  All together in M3 at 10:15am.  Didn't get too close as they were amongst the trees, brambles etc with heads down, looked fine though.

Site Check - 20th May

Checked in on the three girls today and found them all in G13. They seemed a little skittish at first but soon got their heads down and continued to graze. All three looking well.

Trough full and working ok.

Spotted the cattle at 1410 in K11, heads down & tails wagging. Looked up curiously and didn't appeared bothered when Rosie tried her luck, they just moved away from her. By the time we crossed the road & walked through the woods (within 8 mins) they were in C/D15!  not sure how we are going to identify them though if any problems do occur as they are all alike 😃

3 cows added today

Hello All, 3 cattle have been added to the site today. They are a breed called British whites and I will update you soon with their names and ear tag numbers. Best wishes all and happy lookering Elliott