All fit and well in J13 at 1030 hrs, grazing and browsing bramble and the birch scrub.  All 4 very well with Lola keeping them in check with a head butt.

Looked at 3.00 pm. Found all 4 laying under trees in D15. As far as possible from the military exercises. The three teenagers were grouped around Lola who seemed to be playing mum OK. All four looked quite relaxed quietly chewing cud, no problems. checked trough all OK.

Communications and military training

Hello everyone,

Firstly I would like to apologise for what has been perceived as a lack of communicate with respect to the livestock which you all looker for us.  This time of year is always the time of year we have to re-shuffle our herd to make way for new calves and position females in groups who we are putting to the bull.  Historically this has never affected the herd on Bramshot Heath so things have never changed for you, however, this year we were informed by our grazing team that these changes were required a few weeks back and failed to pass on the advanced notice.  You have my apologies for this.

The grazing team did blog as soon as the move occurred which is what we ask of them.

Lola was left on site as she is so calm and good with the level of people and dogs on site so she will act a similar a perfect Matriarch (surrogate mother) to the new ones whilst they settle in.  The new ones will be nervous and s kitty to start with as it is a new site for them but this will soon settle down, and will do so quicker with the aid of Lola.

In terms of the military training, as you are all aware the area is owned by the MOd for the sole purpose of training.  In the past this site has seen little if any training as the vegetation conditions were not suitable.  One would think this would be a good thing but I think to the contrary.  Without the land actively being used for training, and because it is not a legally protected piece of land, it was at serious risk of being sold off for development or housing.  With works that have taken place making it more suitable for training we are now seeing soldiers and cadets using it regularly.  This activity will ensure the army are not forced to sell it off by the Ministers within the MoD.  By being able to keep it and train on it, it ensures we can continue to manage it for wildlife and see the results that's we are, which are all positive.

To put it into context the land directly to the east of Bramshot Heath, in between the road to pyestock and kennels lane, is owned by the mod, not used by the mod and is being sold to the developers as I type this.  This is exactly what would have happened to Bramshot Heath!

As a result of this support for military training it is with an element of accepted reluctance that's we have to allow our livestock to adapt to the trainings that takes place on the site and this will vary from site to site.  The livestock are very robust and adaptive.  What I woudl say is this is more than likely unfortunate timing.  In terms of the military not being able to train as new cattle were added this is not an option.  Military training takes priority in all occasions and we are not informed of their activities for security reasons.  These things will never change and are part and parcel of managing the MOD estate.

I hope that's this blog post is taken as the apology it I see meant to be as well as informing all readers about the relationship that we have with the MOD and their activities.  If any of you have further question should please email me directly on Elliott.fairs@hiwwt.org.uk

Many thanks all

Elliott

Today 4.53

I should have taken a photo but it was haling,. Are the army made aware that the very young cows are brand new to this area, is it OK to literally use them as cover whilst they open fire and do explosions!! The poor things didn't know what to do, they followed lol in the end who followed me. I feel quite sad now.

Insist

I really must insist on being informed please, why has this this been done, in the past we have always been told what's happening and reasons etc, by email usually.

Today 26/4 at 4.30pm

I am not happy, could we not have been warned of your planned change. Not only has lol a Been left with 3young males she is at this moment being used as cover by the army for their war games. All four cows are in the midst of gun fire and explosions Oh and hale stones. Lol a ran to me I have never seen her look so unhappy, she's following me, and the young ones simply don't know what to do. Thanks for the warning.

Now 4 animals on site

We have just had a change around.  We have left lola and there is now 3 young steers.  Making 4 in total.  Lola didn't seem to please at being left with three dopey teenaged boys,  so may be calling for a few days.

All 3 fit and well, and grazing grass (and the single bluebell!) in N5 and N6 at 1100 hrs today.  Spoke with a family feeding Lola and asked them not to feed the cows.  A really good discussion about the cows then ensued.

Yesterday at 7.30 pm

All three were happily grazing half way up on the railway side of the heath field, they all looked calm and happy x

Looked this evening at 7.30. Found all three grazing near the path in H4. No sign of any grazes on Kit Kat. All three looking quite relaxed and ignoring dog-walkers, dogs and noisy young children. No problems!

Taking shade Wednesday ago

I should learn on this site on a sunny day to check the woods near the CP first as its not the first time I've been around the site just to find them taking shade in these woods.

All laid up cudding.

All well and browsing bramble in F6 at 1130 hrs today.   Kit Kat's 4-inch graze behind her left foreleg is dry and OK; and looks like its healing up.

Yesterday 14/4 at 7pm

All three hanging around by the top gate ( the back road entrance) to the heath field, looking a little scraggy, I guess they are moulting but all together fine x

Today at 2.40

All present and correct two calmly grazing and one rubbing her head on a pine tree, all central heath field. X

all good and fenceline given good audit and upkeep

Hello all,

I visited today and went around the perimeter repairing the broken wires and replacing missing staples.  I also tightened the wire in quite a few places so the fence is looking as good as new.  It was very noticeable =that all of the grazing livestock signs surrounding the meadow to the west, had been ripped off quite recently.  It is a legal duty of ours to ensure that all gateways have signs up saying that there are livestock present on site.  I only had 6 signs with me so need to get a couple more up on the far western end of the site but will get this done next week.  Please let us know if you notice any of the signs being vandalised again.

The girls were all right up in the north east corner grazing the grasses along the railway line,.  They came running over to see me as I drove past in the truck.  they were disappointed that the bale of hay I had with me was not for them.

They all looked good and I have to admit I did not notice the mark on Kit Kats leg as I have only just seen this blog post.  I will make sure it is looked at next week

Elliott

Looked at 3.00 pm. All three grazing on brambles near to path in G6. Kit Kat has a largish bare patch on her right rear leg - appears to have rubbed on a tree maybe? Otherwise all look fine, in glorious warm weather.

Today at 7,30

All three happily grazing on the front path at the bottom of the heath field. X

All well - less for the flies - and found near the trough at 1300 hrs today.  Trough OK.  Minor fence repairs needed in areas F12, E13, F11, G11 - top line of barb loose in one place, over several posts, and down/broken in another.

Today at 8pm

Still fairly light and they all came over to check me out, just in ground from the railway track. All seemed well and they are looking rounder for sure. X

07th April 12:55

Cattle all in L14.  2 standing and grazing, the other chewing cud in the sunshine.  All had smiles on their faces.

Tuesday 4th April

Checked in on the cattle today and found them all in I6. All three looking really well, no problems to report.

Today at 11am

All three calmly grazing in the middle of the heath field. All seems fine, trough is working fine too. X

Today at 6.30

All three were standing like rhinos (heads down face on) down the path by the railway track as I came through the gate. Then disbursed into the heath field where they are now basking in sunshine, nibbling young gorse and making the most of fresh grass. Beautiful evening indeed

At 1145 hrs today all browsing bramble in E6; all fit and well.

Seen today at 5pm

All three relaxing among the baby silver birch trees central right side of the heath field. All seems calm. Trough is fine. X