Late Tuesday afternoon

 At least 11 were grazing on the track heading  away from Long Bottom late this afternoon.  They were well spread out and it was too dark to get numbers.  From what we could see, all seemed well.  Lots and lots of walkers, runners and bikers, and a few noisy trial bikes too. 

0900 Mon 28th Dec None

No cows but we did see two deer and a pair of goldcrests, lovely. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

11.45 Sat 26th Dec.

 Long walk, lots of people sadly no cows. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Monday 21st December

 Found everyone on the far end of Sandy Hill. All looking well and appeared out of the bushes after a bucket shake. All good. 

0900 Mon 21st Dec

 We found 14, including the 3 youngsters, no tags, and the large grey, working their way up through the cut back area from Long Bottom to Sandy Hill. They were all eating along the way and seem content. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Four on Saturday

20, 21, 33 and 176 were grazing amongst the gorse shrubs alongside the track leading from James Bond Pond to the gate onto Beacon Hill.  No others were around but these looked really well.  Very showery and wonderful rainbows.

0900 Fri 18th Dec

Found 5, 159, 021, 020, 165 and 176, at about ///wonderfully.minus.lamp in the bushes near the pavilion open sandy area. They seemed content eating. None of the others were found. Stay Safe Marina & Des

Just six

A mixed group of six were grazing near the James Bond Pond early afternoon, looking very well and relaxed.  Unfortunately didn't have time to get the numbers.  A very beautiful day on Caesar's. 

All seen near where Mike Morton is clearing gorse. All good

Notice: Reporting of emergencies over the Christmas period

Please note that the Estates and Grazing teams at HIWWT will have a skeleton staff operating over Christmas and New Year.

If you need to report an emergency to us during this time, such as injured or escaped livestock or damaged infrastructure, then please follow the procedure below. As always, please DO NOT use the blog to report any urgent or emergency issues.

To report an emergency (e.g. injured or escaped livestock, damaged infrastructure where livestock could escape from a site):

1. Call the office on 01256 381190.
2. Wait for the answering machine message, which will detail the name and mobile number of the member of staff who is currently on call.
3. Phone the on-call member of staff who will then respond accordingly.

Please do not phone a member of staff directly unless you know they are on call. If you are unsure whether a particular situation qualifies as an emergency then please phone the on-call member of staff anyway so that they can make a decision on how to proceed.

And finally, many thanks to you all for your hard work keeping an eye on the livestock all year, and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all of you from all of us at HIWWT!

None 0900 Mon 14th Dec

 Usual Monday walk except we didn't get to the look out. We were on our way there when we heard shouting and went to investigate. Found soldiers in the woods having a naafi break and saw a rainbow but there was no rain. No beasts seen. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

None 0900 11th Dec

 We walked from the Bourley Road car park to Horse Pond, up through the trees to Ceasers Camp, across the back to the path by the fishing lakes, then along the path by the road back to the car park. None seen. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Thursday am

The herd spread out amongst the trees in the NE corner. The ones we got near looked OK

Tuesday 08th December

Found all well and healthy. 10 were up on Sandy hill laying down enjoying the sun and 8 were found about 200m from horse pond walking towards the big clearing area. Ponds had a very thin layer of ice but definitely accessible for drinking 

None again 0900 Mon 7th Dec

 We saw none of the cattle on today's walk. From Sandy Hill down to Horse pond and over to approx ///stealthier.prefect.crest, which is an area they seem to enjoy feasting on the acorns, up to the main path around to the back of Ceasers Camp. Over to the look out, but nothing today with such dense fog. Around to James Bond pond missing the contractors vehicles and passed the soon to be pond back to Sandy Hill. No sign of them. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

None 0900 Fri 4th Dec

None seen today. We walked from the Bourley Road car park along the path to the side of the road to the fishing lakes, up to the main path by James Bond Pond along there and then down to Horse Pond. Along Long Bottom to the large sandy area then back to the car park. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

16 found today

After a wide and long search we have found 16. Missing were 21 and 33 but they were seen by us on tuesday so probably off doing there own thing.

One, apparently on its own, west side Long Bottom on slope up to 'Camp', brown/white, looking very healthy. 

Just six, late afternoon, 1st December

Saw 6 - 5 brown and white and one back with white marking on side/belly area.  Too dark to see numbers but all were moving and grazing well - spread out on a large area on the track leading from the horse pond up towards Sandy Hill.

0900 Mon 30th Nov

 Almost at the end of our walk we saw 032, 033, 196, 194, and 198 along Sandy Hill. No sign of the others across the middle area. How is 195, Fagan will he be returning? Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Fri 27th Nov

 We found 13 beasts this morning at approx ///medium.marble.runner. They were eating acorns, gorse and a little grass and all looked well. 198, 196, 194, 168, 147, 165, 155, 021, 159, 176, 177, 940 and no tag. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Tuesday avo

All found. Five were down by the horse pond sunathing The rest were all up in the gorse between the sunken forestpond and the lookout All looked fine!

all found 0900 Mon 23rd Nov

 We found 5 cows at around ///inform.skewing.ambushed. 198, 194, 196, 147 and 159. happily eating.  Then later we saw 13 at about ///pampered.product.pave. Mostly settling down to chew the cud. No tag, 021, 020, 177, 023, 168, 155, 176, 035, 033, 030, 940 and 165 who had gone into the gorse. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Blank Sunday

 Couldn't find any cattle around either the Aldershot or the Beacon Hill ends of the site earlier today though plenty of signs they had been around.  Pretty packed with walkers, dogs, bikers and joggers, enjoyed lovely colours. 

1000 Fri 20th Nov

 We found 13 cows around  /// leap.arena.most where we have seen them before munching acorns. They were well spread out so the count might be slightly off. The Gelvert 3 were not with them. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

 Nine (and one pied wagtail) seen in vicinity of the large flooded gravel pit this morning.

Tuesday 17th November

 Found all 18 but split between two herds. 12 (including gelvert 3) were by the south east corner of james bond pond. The other 6 were found north of hungry hill. All looked well. 

Tue

Noticed whist driving past, a number of the strands of barbed wire, where the A325 fence meets the Pavillion fence, have been cut and the remaining two have been tied together, leaving a large gap underneath.

Scrub clearance

 Just to reply to the question about the work happening near Sandy Hill:  The Trust is managing various contractors who are clearing scrub from the heathland areas - the aim is to reduce the dominance of gorse and scrub to restore more open heathland, which supports a whole range of rare wildlife. Where we can we are also using the opportunity to increase the width of some of the fire breaks and have opened up one old over grown fire break as well, with the recent summer wildfires in mind. 

We have now finished the work in the Sandy Hill area but will be working on many other parts of the site over the next month.

Thanks.

0930 Mon 16th Nov

 We found 12 making their way up through the gorse along the side of Ceasers Camp from the main path. ///salmon.mountains.earplugs. then round to the look out point. Then a little later we saw the 3 youngsters along the Sandy Hill path ///feed.enveloped.modules. very focused on munching the grass. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

17 found....

 16 were lazing on the north side of the site, just above the Bourley Road and near the enclosed reservoir at lunchtime today.  Looked fine and very sleepy in the sunshine.  

A lone 198 was grazing near the corral close to Beacon Hill.  

No sight of the final one......

none 0920 Fri 13th Nov

 We didn't see any of the beasts this morning. We  walked from the Bourley Road car park around to Horse Pond via the main track to Ceasers Camp, back along Long Bottom to the large sandy area, then through the woods to the car.

Does anyone know what is being done to the Sandy Hill hill side, there is a lot of activity there?

Stay Safe, Marina & Des

18th cow found

I have found the lone cow in Gelvert and brought him over to Ceasars. Couldn't find any of the others after a quick scout around but am sure he will make his way too them eventually. 

17 seen today on the look out at Caesars Camp, no sign of number 198 on Caesars or Gelvert

0900 Mon 9th Nov

 We found approx 16 cows including the 2 youngsters at /// leap.arena.most troughing as many acorns as they could. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

0930 Fri 6th Nov

 None seen today. We walked from the Bourley Road car park across to Pavillion Road, then roughly followed the fence back in and out of the trees. No cows. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

cow 23 back on site.

The one taken back to the farm have been brought back to site. 11 others seen down by the sand bar.

Monday 02 November

All 14 found near sunny hill. All look in good health and very inquisitive around the truck trying to get at food

09.30 2nd Nov

Enjoyed a sadly cow free walk this morning. We walked across the top of Sandy Hill, down to Horse Pond, around that and up through the woods to the side of Ceasers Camp. Had a good look round from the look out point then walked to James Bond Pond, rounded that and back to Sandy Hill. No cow seen.   Stay Safe, Marina & Des

#23 Removed- TB test clear

We have taken #23, a red Shetland steer back to the farm. He was very tender on his feet during the TB tests and not happy.  He's going to get some treatment and be kept I  a barn to minimise walking around.  As soon as he is improved we'll bring him back to site.

The three Hereford crosses were on Gelvert as of Friday. 

Thanks,

Jack

Just 3- belated post for Wednesday

 The 3 from Gelvert were at the corral near the entrance to Beacon Hill - perhaps this is near their escape tunnel?   All well 

Monday 26th

Found them all in Long Bottom. All seemed fine. The Gelvert 3 were found in Gelvert!

Thursday 22nd October

Found the 15 shetlands at ///movies.bland.towns. all looking good. gelvert 3 must be off wandering but have seen them tuesday.

Tuesday 20th October

Found 15 (including gelvert lot) below the pill box on sandy hill, hoovering acorns. Could not find the other 4 despite numerous rounds!

Monday 19th October

found 13 near the corral, all looking okay. gelvert 3 had joined the herd again! will be back tomorrow to find the final few.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please watch out for symptoms of acorn poisoning

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

Three on Gelvert

Rather belated - apologies - but yesterday evening three were grazing happily on the grassy area alongside the metalled track between the fishing reservoir and the Bourley Road.  It was too dark to see numbers but they were all similar - small, white with black splodgy markings.   At least 12 others were alongside the metalled track from the brick shelter near the Bourley Rod car parking area and Long Bottom. Again, too dark to take numbers.  

GRAZING TEAM UPDATE.

One of the smaller cows on site was reported as being I'll to us yesterday. Since then we have taken it off site and had the vet out who believes the issue to be acorn poisoning. There is a very high abundance this year and once cattle start eating them it  becomes a bit of an addiction. It can cause very serious issues and needs to be treated as soon as possible. We are asking that people please be extra observant when checking and look for any unusual activity in the cattle. They will tend to be very lethargic(droopy ears, slow to react sunken eyes) possibly separated and as it gets worse some form of diarrhoea. Thank you for your continued vigelence and hopefully we can prevent any more issues.

195 taken off

Saw 16 today numbers 20,21, 23, 33, 35, 147, 155, 165, 168, 176, 177, 194, 195, 198 and the one with no ear tags. The other three could not be found. 195 was on its own and looking very lethargic and showed little interest in the nuts we tried to feed it. Had a call later reporting it lying down and bleeding, so went back to Caesar's tp where we last saw it and it was still there and we witnesses a bloody discharge from the back end. Ned turned up and we could not get it off the ground so called the vet. He thought it was either acorn poisoning or a tick born disease so we managed to get it into trailor and Ned took it back to farm. We had had reports of it being attacked by dogs, but could not substantiate this as their were no wounds. So only 18 on site now.

0945 Mon 12th Oct

 We didn't see any cows this morning. Walked from Sandy Hill around the tree drowned pond, passed James Bond and over to Ceasers Camp. We had a good look round from there then walked down through the woods to Horse pond, around that then up the slope back to Sandy Hill. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

0850 Fri 9th Oct damaged fence

 We found 2 places where the fence is damaged, reported to Richard, see photos. Loose post at approx ///upgrading.woodstove.darts. Further round clockwise the fence is very low, I was able to step over. No cows seen but we did see a deer. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Tuesday 6th October.

 Found all 19 together this afternoon, they were all laying in 13R cudding. All of them are looking well and there are no issues with #72's (no tag) eyes so all good.

0900 Mon 5th Oct. No tags eyes might need attention

 We saw 940, 021, no tag, and 030 by winter pond were the summer trees and shrubs get drowned. We think no tag's eye need looking at, see photos. Three of the youngsters were by James Bond pond 196, 198 and 194. Oddly 195 was no where to be seen. By the time we had reached Sandy Hill we think that we could see the same cows passing the steep side of Ceasers Camp. None of the others seen. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

0850 Fri 2nd Oct 030 has damaged ear

 We saw 10 this morning around the track leading straight from the Bourley road car park. All seemed ok except 030 who has had an ear tag pulled out see photo, no blood and Brian didn't seem to be bothered. 168, 155, 159, 020, 023, 177, 035, 147, 165 more interested in the acorns than anything else and one was eating mushrooms.

Yes Ian we will phone in with fence damage info.

Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Tuesday

I found the 15 originals down on the sandy open area near the queens pavilion and the 4 whites up by the dead tree pond. slight limp on one but not to bad will keep an eye on it

0845 Mon 28th Sept, slight limp and more damaged fence

A large group on Ceasers Camp and the rest at Sandy Hill. No tags was with 940 and I think 035 being very boyish so we didn't get to close. Mostly the rest were eating acorns but they all looked well except 198 who seemed to have a slight limp left rear leg. More damaged fence at approx ///tinsel.shun.somebody. see photo. Wow I think we saw all of them today. There was an unmarked blue van on the common see photo. Stay Safe, Marina & Des 

1 put back on site.

Little black shetland back on site after a lovely holiday away.

0915 Fri 25th Sept damaged fence

 The fence is damaged next to the gate at ///woes.crumples.desire. See photos. We found the youngsters at approx ///bubble.leaned.narrating heading off into the woods. They seemed fine although there was a lot of pushing and shoving between 195 & 196. None of the others were seen. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Wednesday eve

Just a handful - looks like the same group as found yesterday - 940, tagless, 23, 168, 177, 33 and 35 all seemed well and were ambling around in the large sandy area towards the Tesco end, ignoring the army exercises taking place around them.  

1 off site

We have taken 176 off of site and back to the farm for a test needed. Hopefully he will be back next week some point. 13 seen in total including 2 from over the fence.

Only found 5! Tuesday 22nd

Sorry for the late post. Yesterday, I found 168, 176 and 177 moving along Long Bottom snuffling up acorns (not seen this before, thought it was only pigs that ate acorns!).  35 was deep in the bushes browsing birch leaves but eventually emerged for me to have a good look and then 30 sauntered up. All looked well, but these were the only ones I found in 3 hours!  

Monday 21st September

 4 young ones and a shetland found under open barn at natural.texts.stable near Bourley Road. 

20 and 35 found at broad.pocket.stammer.

Another 6 found at the pill box on sandy hill.

Rest not found, will return tomorrow. 

0845 Mon 21st Sept

 We found 020 Bertie and 035 Buzz by the Cranmore Lane gate where there is a loose fence post shown in photo. None of the others were seen. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

0915 Fri 18th Sept

 No cows today. Spent 2hrs litter picking around the Bourley Road car park end of the fenced off area. We have a concern about the run off from the contaminated site which looks like rust but may not be. Even if it is rust should the cows have access to the water coming off that area? Photos from approx ///tight.swaps.fade. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Found 11 this afternoon including 4 of the six that Rich did not see s only two of 19 have not been seen this week

Wednesday 16th September

 Spotted  8 cows in the undergrowth (may have been more) at 10.30 in the dip down from Sandy hill.  3 words location: making.almost.public

Tuesday am

Only spotted a couple, from the sounds, it would appear that they are spread out, amongst the trees, all round the open area behind the Pavillion 

09.30 Mon 14th Sept

 We didn't see any cows this morning. Usual walk from Sandy Hill around the almost dry pond and James Bond, over to Caesers Camp where we have a good look. Down through the woods to the Horse pond and back up the slope to Sandy Hill. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Thank you

 Our thanks to Susanne, Graham and Rich for your help with identifying the caterpillar.

Thank you, Marina & Des 

0900 Fri 11th Sept

 The cow in the first photo seen with the 2nd group has no tags.

We found Edward 176 with 5 more near Horse pond ///striker.debut.panoramic. Then 6 or 7 more, including 195 one of the G4, coming from the shed approx ///bend.tins.stove heading towards the large open sandy area. All of them seem were eating and looked well. None of the other youngsters were seen. Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Wednesday 9th September

 4 (including 195) at shell garage entrance at 09.00 and then 8 near the look out at 09.28.  All happily grazing.

Tuesday 8th September.

Found all the cattle spread over a wide area all around the horse pond and Long Bottom vicinity this afternoon.

A couple of them have quite a few ticks but other than that they're all fit and well.

08.50 Mon 7th Sept

 We found the G4 making their way to ///croutons.extreme.dignitary where we also found a large caterpillar photo below 50p for size reference does anyone know what it is, we are sadly lacking in knowledge in this area. The youngsters same well eating and not bothered by flies. We then carried on round to Caersers Camp and found 4 from the herd, Bertie, Barry, Balti and Buzz, ///slick.betrayal.skidding. again eating well and no flies to speak of. Barry was enjoying an oak tree, having a scratch and eating any part he could reach.

Stay Safe, Marina & Des

 2 cows grazing happily near the water nearest to the Shell Garage - 3 word location - Branching.rash.fail at 11.15.  At 11.45 8 cows 10 metres from the shoreline diagonally opposite.  All happily munching away

Sat 11.31

 Took a weekend trip but found the GCA 4 this morning along side Sandyhill Estate.  

All well 

0900 Fri 4th Sept

 We found the Gelvert 4 ///easily.pinch.acting near James Bond pond, there was very little fly activity. We saw none of the others from the look out point, Horse pond or Sandy Hill.

Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Wednesday eve

Five, including Edd and Electra were grazing on the top near the Lookout at about 8 this evening - getting too dark to see the numbers but they all seemed fine.  No sight of the others.  Lots of runners everywhere on Caesar's this evening. 

Tuesday 1st

 Found the original lot all in two groups. 

A group of 4 were down on the large open sandy area and the other 15 were right up the other end of the site spread along the concrete cobble track.

All looked well.

Ian 

 Seven, all black/white, at south end of Sandy Hill and moving north.

0930 Mon 31st Aug

From the look out point we saw a few cows near where the gate is to the restricted area. They were heading towards the Bourley road car park. No more seen. 

The moor hens on Horse pond have two chicks.

Stay Safe, Marina & Des

Sunday am

No cattle sightings, just gangs of mushroom pickers.

 An hour ago there were at least 12 on eastern slope of Long Bottom above the Horse Pond.  All appeared well and to have put on much weight.  Some were grazing on the woodland floor where there is no grass - could it be that they were eating the recently fallen acorns ?

09.56 Fri 28th Aug

 None seen on our walk but I did see one as we passed the Cranmore road gate, next to the nursery. It might of been one of the Gelvert mob, I didn't get a good look.

Stay Safe, Marina & Des

0900 Mon 24th Aug

 Gelvert 4 found at ///sprinkle.usage.hobbist making their way around to the dome reservoir, all seemed content. We found 155 Electra, 165 Elaine and 147 Ezra on the high ground ///neutron.squashes.secures. walking towards Sandy Hill. all 3 troubled with the flies although 165 Elaine is really having a bad time but her eyes did not look infected as can be seen in the photos.

Stay Safe, Marina  Des