Today 27/2 2pm

All four cows laying down by the side of the main path running thro the heath field could hardly see them as its white with snow out here and still snowing. The trough is fine

All fit and very well; gathered around the trough at 1100 hrs today.  Trough OK, ice had been broken.

Late Post - Thursday 22nd February.

I spent the day working with a team of volunteers from one of our corporate supporters (Siemens) yesterday. We concentrated on cutting down some young pine and burning the arisings.

The cattle spent most of the day with us conveniently munching the young branches off the pine trees as they were felled! They then spent the last hour of the day gathered around the fire and as you can see from Jo's earlier post - they like to get nice and close!

They're all looking well and they provided some entertainment for the day.

Today (22/2) at 3.30

Very strange the 2 are standing really close to a fire, one set by the guy chopping trees in the bottom right corner of the heath field,
Keeping warm I guess.

looked at 12.30. Checked trough. Working OK but a dogwalker with 6 charges had dogs bounding around the trough and drinking from the doggie bowl. One large labradore jumped into the trough and took a bath. Suggested to the dogwalker that this should not happen and was assured it will not again! Found the cows among the trees in C12. They looked quite relaxed, not making any sounds. Cantor and Cleverclogs were lying down, Lola and Cronus just standing chewing cud.

Today (19/2) at 2.20

No sign today, didn't have long enough to do a full scale search. X

At 1345 hrs today, all lying cudding in L11.  Lola close with Cantor and Cronus, and Clever Clogs a bit further off but all looking fit and very contented.

Today 3.30

It's cow number 75 (can't remember his name) that's making very high pitched screech sounds. I must say it does sound odd coming from a cow. Perhaps his voice hasnt broken yet. X

Today at 3.30, 15/2

All four in the clearing at the top right hand corner of the heath field, all calm x

Looked this morning at 11.30. Found cows in L5 grazing on heather and gorse. They looked quite calm and content. No strange noises. Missed the trough but it is warmer now so no ice problems.

(belated report from yesterday by a local dog walker). Reported to Fleet Pond by accident.

Just had a nice chat with a lady from the Fleet Pond team regarding a lady walker her dog witnessing one of the 'cows' (could just be Lola) making very strange and unusual noises? Apparently this person had a farming background.

We get these reports a lot during this time of year. Its either about the 'lack of food' which I am hoping you guys understand is NOT usually an issue e.g. all of our herds changing diets to woodier vegetation during winter instead of the grass everyone expects them to eat), or 'charging' or disgruntled cattle which make noises.

I suspect the herd were attracted in one way or another to the person hoping for a snack, especially if said person had a plastic bag on them. They can get quite excitable and will definitely make loud noises, with a bonus skip and a jump. This will all look very out of place to anyone walking. Come April when the grasses start to grow again, these problems start to fade.

Please be aware of these scenario's and by all means advise accordingly, I can trust you guys to do us proud! And by all means pass on our number 01256 381190 for more information.

All the best,

Guy

Monday afternoon

Found them all out int he middle of the heath, they all came over to my van expectantly.

All looked fine.

Today at 3.40

All four eating gorse along the top path of the heath field, all seems well x

All fit and browsing heather and gorse in L7 at about 0920 hrs.

Friday 9th 18.45

All 4 fine and well this afternoon - unusually they were split up and took a bit of finding but all fine.

Today at 2.20

All three munching away in the gorse bushes in front of the group of pines at the bottom of the heath field. It's great they all still look quite fat consider the time of yr x

Today at 3pm

All four busy in amongst the gorse bushes by the path running through the center of the heath field. All peaceful and well x

Found all four in N5, grazing on gorse. All looking healthy. No sign of the cut on Lola's neck, must have healed OK. Took ice off the trough and noted water was flowing OK, full to the top.

Today at 5.30

All seems fine, but very cold. All four scouting around for food in the central area of the heath field x

Bit late posting! Seen at 1000 hrs.  All well. Lola's neck OK.  All browsing bramble in H11

Sunday 4th Jan @ 16:00 - all looking well

All 4 looking ok, all together healthy and happy no problems seen. Mike

Josh just had a good look at Lola and its as if the wound was never there. Awkward..

Bit of luck, no more problem. But if there is another bleed in the same area, we now know it'll more than likely be ok and sort itself out.

Had a good look over Lola's neck by sticking her head in a bucket if nuts..

The only way i was getting close  enough this morning was bribery. Closer inspection revealed a lump as reported earlier. The wound must have opened up again but was no longer bleeding by the time i got there. Sent pics and description to the grazing team who have concluded the following:

Caught / burst abcess from TB check (thus the lump). No concern if bleeding has stopoed. Please monitor for further bleeding. 

Lola doesn't appear bothered in the slightest. 

Thanks all. 

Neck injury reported on heifer at Bramshot

Just to let you all know that we have just had a report come in of an injury on the neck of one of the animals at Bramshot (looker reported that it was the heifer, but she could not see any ear tags).

A mark has been noted on her neck in the past few days, so it is possible that she has just knocked the scab off, causing a fresh run of blood.

We will be checking on her this morning and will follow up with the grazing team if required.

Thanks

Susanne