Cattle move off site

We have moved all 4 cattle off site and to a bit of drier ground. Thanks for all the looking.

Grazing team

Robin Findlay | Wednesday 19th October

 All 4 cattle seen about 4pm

2 in the trees close to the east west path at the northern end of the pylon field

2 others were 100m south of the east west path near the pylon

All animals were feeding actively

Peter Manning | Tues 18 Oct

Cattle well spread out but not far from N fence. All seemed well. Male 179 coughing a few times, but didn't seem serious. Pasture pump working OK. Whole field now seems quite a bit wetter.

Sunday 16th October 2022

Checked the cattle mid-afternoon. They were sitting down in the reeds by the scrub near the western fence, so I had to go and find them.They all were alert: they looked up when I approached but stayed sat.

 Pump works ok but like yesterday it is surrounded by water.

Richard 

Saturday 25 th October 2022

Checked the cattle midday-ish.

They were in the bushes beyond the pylon. Hard to find them. Two were by the western fence and two a bit nearer the pylon, so could not see all four at the same time. They were all happily eating the bushes.

The pasture pump works ok but it was surrounded by water. 

The western end of the field is very wet. The rest of the field is wet but not as wet as the western end. Definitely need wellies.

Richard 

Friday 14th October 2022

Opened car park gate and then cycled on to the pylon field. Could see only three cattle from the canal path so went into the field. Found all four happily eating just beyond the reeds by the gate.

I did not check the pasture pump.

Met several dog walkers and, on the way back, chatted to a bird watcher by the first viewing platform. Nothing to see at the time.

2 cars in the car park when I got back there.

Richard 

Peter Manning | Tues 11 Oct

Cattle near N fence in Pylon Field. Take care if you go in the field, you need strong ankles with the terrain. Cattle all on their feet and eating, 101 has a small gash on the neck, probably from the barbed wire. Pasture pump working well (when I managed to find it! Thanks to Richard & Elizabeth for the steer).

Saturday

 Checked the cattle on Saturday, they were all under the stand of trees near the entrance gate, looking bright eyed and relaxed. Also checked the pasture pump which was working well. 

Jo 

Friday 7th October 2022

First venture into the pylon field. We were hoping we could see all the cattle from the canal path but only two were visible. 

Found three cattle behind a clump of bushes a little way north of the pylon. Eventually saw the fourth one hidden in bushes  west of the pylon. They were eating and seem ok.

As I was a long way into the  field by then, I went to find the pump. It works ok and pumps clean water. To find it, start at the southern end of the clump of small bushes just north of the pylon. Go directly west and it is by the western fence behind some small trees.

As Jo has said, to.enter the field, at the gate go immediately right along the fence. I found that  once you get near the end of the row  of tall trees along the fence, if you go diagonally left towards the pylon you will find a big area of much shorter vegetation which is easier to walk on. 

Overtrousers and a stick are useful because a lot of the vegetation is waist high and wet, and the ground is uneven and  in places very soft.

Richard and Elizabeth.

Peter Manning | Tues 04 Oct

Cattle in Pylon field, but more of a challenge for humans to get around in that terrain. All looked healthy, and chewing, 2 standing and 2 lying. 132 looked a little tired, but he often does! Did not check the pasture pump as I didn't open the email in time to know its location.

Peter Manning | Sun 02 Oct

 Sun 02 Oct 17:20. Cattle all towards SE corner eating the sedge. All looking quite healthy, on their feet and moving around. Even got a moo! A couple of them looked a bit untidy and dirty on their backs, but I put that down to all the rain over the last 36 hours. Fence and pasture pump all ok.

Friday 30th September 2022

8 am opened car park gate and then walked to.the meadow.   Cold sunny morning then. The dew glistened on the grass and reeds and on the spiders webs. Mist hung low over the fields.

At the meadow, the pump works ok. 

I think the electric fence is not working. I tightened up the loose red terminal, but I could not hear any clicking. Have reported that to Jo by email.

The cattle were half way up.the meadow and spaced all the way across it from.the west fence to the east fence.

When in the field I could find only three of them. Elizabeth, who stayed by the gate, phoned me to tell where the fourth one was: hiding behind a bush by the east fence. ( It was 132 of course.)

All four then followed me to the gate.

All were alert, clean and eating.

Richard 

Peter Manning | Tues 27 Sept

Cattle all in their usual spot by the W fence in S Ashley Meadow. 3 standing and one lying, but alert. All looked well. Male 132 had a small gash on his tail, looked like it had been on the barbed wire. Pasture pump and electric fence all good.

Cattle

 The cattle were checked by David at the weekend and all were well, I checked them yesterday and again all well, moving around and feeding. 

On Monday 3rd Oct they are being TB tested, so we will check them during that, the reading will be done Thursday 6th October, so again we will  check them during that. Following the reading on the 6th I intend to put them into the pylon field for a couple of weeks. I will send an email about this though. 

Jo 

Fri 23rd sept

 Cattle, pasture pump and electric fence all OK. 2 sat together and the other two a distance either side stood eating. All very relaxed and minding their own business.  Jo 

Peter Manning | Tues 20 Sept

Cattle all within easy sight of the gate over to the west, the large male, often a little apart from the others, was near the pasture pump. Electric fence and pasture pump both working well. Cattle all on their feet and eating, all looked well.

Sunday 18th September 2022

Electric fence ok and equipment working. Pump worked too. The four cattle were by the western fence near to the big reeds, happily eating grass and small reeds.

Went on to the viewing screen where we saw a kingfisher several times, catching fish. Had a glimse of a second one too.

On the way back the cattle were by the western gate. They seem to prefer that area.

Richard Pratt 

Saturday 17th September 2022

Three of the cattle by the gate at the far end of the electric fence, happily eating. The fourth was chewing the cud by the pasture pump.  All looked ok.

The electric fence is intact and the energizer working. The pasture pump had water in its trough.

Richard Pratt.

Peter Manning | Tues 13 Sept

The cattle were all not far from the electric fencing in Asley Meadow. All in good form, standing and eating, later lying down. Pasture Pump and Electric fence working well, though rain is causing the Horsetail to grow quickly under the E fence.

Friday 9th September 2022

The four of them were sitting by the gate at the far end of the electric fence, calmly chewing the cud.

 As usual they were clean and alert.

Only a few flies around them.

The electric fence was intact, but I could not get to the energizer because one of the cattle was sitting too close to it.

The pasture pump was full of water (rain?). The pump works ok.

There is still a lot for them  to eat in the meadow.

Richard 

Peter Manning | Tues 06 Sept

Cattle all in mid S of Ashley Meadow. All looked the happiest I have seen them. Not too warm, and juicy wet grass to eat! Electric fence and pasture pump working fine.

Peter Manning | Sat/Sun 03/04 Aug.

 Sat/Sun 03/04 Aug. Sat 10:00, within easy sight of the gate, all looking good though the male 132 lying, more flies and looking more lethargic than the others. Sun 16:30, had to tramp most of the way up the W fenceline to find all 4 in the longest reeds. Checked them over and they then followed me at a good distance all the way back to the gate. Even running at one time, think they thought I was going to let them out! Electric fence and pasture pump good on both occasions. The pasture pump in Ashley Meadow does seem to work quite a bit better and easier than the one in Western Fen.

Friday 2nd September 2022

The cattle were spread out by the eastern fence about 2/3rds of the way down the field. They were eating. They were all calm. No.flies about. All were clean and alert.

The electric fence is ok. The pasture pump.works well.

Richard 

Peter Manning | Tues 30 Aug

 All 4 cattle by a tree in the middle of Ashley Meadow, not too far from the gate. Two lying and 2 standing and moving a little. All looked well and all cudding. They have been moving around in the past week as vegetation has been widely disturbed, but they do not seem to eat much. Pasture pump working well and electric fence seemed ok.

Cattle checked by David Sat & Sun and Jo Tuesday

 Cattle all ok over the weekend as was the pasture pump and electric fence. 

This was the same when I checked today. All cattle under the large willow in the centre of Ashley Meadow. All look well and relaxed, not many flies around them, 3 sitting down and one having a scratch on the tree. 

Peter also saw them today and found them in a similar situation. 

Friday 26th August 2022

11 am.  Ashley Meadow. Walked beside the electric fence and checked the fence equipment: all working ok. Checked the pump on the way: it was fine.

Cattle were together by the western fence  a little way north  of the electric fence.  All four together, 3 in the shade and one sunning itself.  All four clean and alert and not bothered by flies.

Richard 

Cattle move successful

 The British Whites have now been moved into Ashley Meadow, they seemed pretty keen to move and were happily eating straight away. 

Please remember to check the electric fence is working and the pasture pump is when you carry out your checks. 

Thank you for all of your help so far this season. 

Peter Manning | Tues 23 Aug

All 4 cattle munching near the east boundary, about 3/4 of the way down. All looked good, though 056 had noticeably more flies on his/her nose. The pasture pump now seems to be working better.

Friday 19th and Sunday 21st Cattle lookering

Friday 19th 8.30am,   the cattle were by the southern gate, clean alert and looking well.  Sunday 21st 2.30 pm the 4 cattle were sitting together  under a tree in the middle of the fen level with the southern gate. They were.alert and clean and there were no flies on them. The pasture pump works well.

Richard and Elizabeth 

Pasture pump

 I've just adjusted the pasture pump and it's working well. Jo 

Peter Manning | Tues 16 Aug

 Concern over the pasture pump. When I arrived the tray was almost dry. It took a while of pumping to get any water, the impression and noise was as if the pipe to the stream was almost empty. After that the water flowed reasonably, but the arm didn't seem to go to its rest position correctly. When left there was a slight noise like escaping air. Suspect the pump inner diaphragm may be split/damaged/leaking. One of the large males did use it, but when my fill of the tray was emptied (in a couple of gulps) he seemed to have difficulty getting enough water out. Perhaps doesn't help that the whole pump and tray is leaning back a little, but certainly to my mind not working as well as it should/did.

Four cattle were all on their feet and eating by N boundary, not so much troubled by flies in the slightly cooler weather. Male 132 a little troubled with rubbing face/neck and rump on tree/fence; perhaps a little lethargic with a not so wet nose.

Sunday 14th August

All four cattle ok. We know the pumpworks because we watched one take a very long drink from it. The other three also came to it for a drink.

Richard and Elizabeth 

Friday 12th 22

Checked cattle- all ok. 

Lots of dog walkers, one with four dogs some of which were not on leads. One on a lead was frantically paddling in the canal stirring up lots of silt.

Chatted to a bird watcher at the screens.Great white egrets and a heron but not much else to be seen there.

We think we saw an osprey from one of the viewing platforms along the canal.

Richard and Elizabeth 

Cattle Monday and Tuesday

 Cattle and pasture pump checked after Keith reported it wasn't working too well, Jack and I were able to get this sorted so it is working well and drawing plenty of water. I also checked it Tuesday afternoon and it was still working well. The cattle were all sat down in the shade looking relaxed. 

Friday 5th August

Opened gate just before 8. Immediately after man drive in asking about the whiskered term.

Met other bird watchers along the canal path, some looking for the tern

 Another said it had not been seen yet this morning but the osprey had been seen.

After checking the cattle (all ok), went to the screens. We think we saw the tern flying over the South lake.

Two great white egrets on the North lake, squabbling as usual. Heron there too.

Lots of dog walkers along the canal path.

Richard and Elizabeth 

Peter Manning | Tues 02 Aug

Cattle in mid-southern half of the fen, just spotted from the gate. All lying down, troubled by flies around the eyes. All looked well, but just looked tired out, sometimes lying with heads on the ground. Maybe a struggle with the warmth and humidity. Pasture pump working OK.

29 July, Friday

Elizabeth and I did a butterfly survey on the way to the western fen. Arrived at the fen gate soon after 11 am and found the 4 cattle near the gate. The two steers were standing side by side head to tail by the pasture pump. I noticed the trough of the pump was dry so I carefully checked it and refilled the trough. One of the steers was somewhat irritable and was not happy at my presence so I left.

I think it and the others were irritated by the flies around their eyes.Other than that they were clean and soon after moved a little way to eat.

We then resumed the butterfly survey. We found 9 different species: the best this year by far.

Spoke to a lady and gentleman on the permissive path: they requested more seats.

Several golden ringed dragon flies  and an emerald damsel fly along the canal.

Richard 

Peter Manning | Tues 26 July

 Cattle in the mid-southern half of the fen, luckily just visible from the gate so didn't have to search. All looked good, munching away mainly on the trees and not so bothered by flies. 132 led them back to the main gate so they could all get a good drink. Just a thought - is there enough water supply for them all in the very hot weather? They do seem to have roamed now over the whole fen, but they don't seem to eat nearly as voraciously as the small Devon Reds last year!

20th July

 Checked the cattle this lunch time, all near the pasture pump, which one of them demonstrated was working well. Less flies on each of them today, likely due to the cooler weather. The grazing team have let me know that they plan to visit this week to spray them. 

All looked well and relaxed as usual, I would like to see a bit more roaming around the fen from them, I'm not entirely sure they are eating much throughout the fen other than near the gate. Will give them a few more weeks in that compartment though. 

Jo 

Peter Manning | Tues 19 July

 Cattle all conveniently by the Western Fen gate, all lying down in a bit of shade at around 07:30. The larger male especially tucked in good shade right in the corner and was more reluctant to get to his feet when the other 3 did. All troubled with many flies, but all looked alert and in good health. By 08:00 they were in a line walking by the E fence moving south. Pasture pump all working ok.

18th July

 Checked the cattle at 8am this morning to avoid the worst of the heat. They were all in the shade under the trees by the gate. All relaxed and taking it easy and all sitting by the time I left. Pasture pump working well. 

On Friday I did see a spotted flycatcher on one of the willow saplings near the pasture pump for those that might want to keep an eye out for it. 

15th July

 Cattle all looking well, near the pasture pump again which Is working. A few had quite a few flies around their noses, but the grazing team let me know they will come in the next week or 2 to spray them. I later heard the cattle walking down the fence line while I was on the permissive path, so does seem like they are doing some exploring. 

13th July

 Cattle all by the pasture pump again today, which was working well. Looking well and relaxed. Thank you to Pete for putting some WD40 on the padlock, it's working well now. Jo

11th july

 All cattle by the gate about 11am. Some had a fair few flies on eyes and nose, but it is a very hot day. Other than that all OK. 

6th & 8th

 Cattle near the gate for me both days, I'm surprised they weren't in the shade already today. Nonetheless all look well, less disagreements today. Probably too hot for it.

The padlock is a bit sticky and requires a fair few yanks to open it and a fair bit of bashing to get it locked again. I will bring some wd40 next time I'm out to try and loosen it. 

5th July

 Cattle checked by Peter, near the gate, 2 having a disagreement, but all ok otherwise. 

Cattle arrived 4th July

 The british whites are back at Fishlake and have gone into the Western Fen. Ear tag numbers are 132, 179, 56, 103. I checked them today and they all looked fine, some slight disagreements between them, but still altogether in a group and looking well. Already done some good trampling.