12.00, today it was wet and misty and with low visibility i did not find any of the cattle, i cycled around the whale tail and down long bottom where workmen were clearing the scrub, back up to Caesars camp via the blue barrel, and to beacon hill, and no sign of them.

A few hours later - all in open on Bricksbury Hill.

Hello everyone hope you all enjoyed your christmas I found cattle this morning 9 am they were on top of the bank to the north side of the gravel pit I watched them for around 15 mins all looked ok although one all black one looks a bit skinny but she was feeding ok all 12 were there one moved off westwards all alone the rest moved to the east I dont now where they went I thought they may be going to the barrel but I did not see them any more norman

All 12 on top of the plateau

Hello
Had a good look at all 12 this morning on top of the camp plateau.
All look well, and were tucking into the heather which is poking through the snow.
Have a very Happy Christmas, and thank you for your help.
Alex

10 only in a close knit group in birch some 400 yards west of water tower at 1 pm.  They looked well enough if not very lively.  Gorse must be rather lean fare.  Of the remaining two - no sighting.

I read a report in last week's papers about a cow, in the north west of England I believe, that had died a rather painful death.  The cause was attributed to its having eaten a chinese lantern.  It stated that cattle are attracted to these devices because of the bamboo they contain.  From this I assume that the paper envelope is, or can be, made of bamboo pulp.  Death was caused by a wire in the lantern which penetrated the animal's gut.  The report also suggested that this was not the first such incident in this country.

I have observed a number of these lanterns on the heath.  It would seem sensible to remove them if you happen to come across any.

Perhaps HWT would care to comment. 

16.00,unlike Steve i waited until it warmed up.so at -1, i set off on my bike brrrrrrrr,i managed to find 9 cows at Q14 they were looking for things to eat in the snow and looked o/k if a little chilly, i had i good look along the main tracks of the whale tail but could not find any others,and as the light was fading i had to set off for home.