Sorry All, but I twisted by ankle yesterday, and still hobbling today.
I decided to try, and walked up to both enclosures.
However, no cows were visible from the gates. I decided that the ankle would not hold up, nor do me any favours, by struggling around in the undergrowth to find the cows. So, I returned without finding them.
Again, I have to report a lot of dog poo in very many places on the canal path. I bumped into quite a number of walkers, some with dogs, who were all complaining about the amount of poo being left on the path. there were also a lot of dogs running around, a long way from owners, too.
I was asked by a few people to try and get something done about the poo, and some signage that is significantly more evident ie much larger specific signage, to instruct dog owners to:
a) keep dogs on a lead - I did point out the tiny print on the new signs, which raised a few laughs as to whether anyone would notice.....
b) to pick up the poo and put it in bins. Comment was also made about bags pf poo being left around too.
These are all things that I have raised in the past, along with other complaints from people - and me too, about cyclists using the Reserve/Canal Footpath. It is not a cycle=path and signage must be erected, that is large enough to see. maybe they will not read it, but it gives us something to refer them to, as well as members of the public being able to, as well. If the signs are not put up, then there is zero chance of people actually being aware that it is not a cycle path.
two other users of the path also said that the poo bin by the car park is extremely smelly and unpleasant o use. One mentioned finding another method of opening for the bin/another bin, that did not involve having to lift a lid to deposit poo. Not my field.
I said to all that I would report these issues, again, as I had raised them before.
In summary, we have a lovely area that is being trashed and made unpleasant/ dangerous to use, by a few irresponsible people. The area is also becoming very overgrown, and viewing both the canal and the Meadows from the Canal Path is becoming very difficult.
I am hoping that someone reading this blog, in authority, can take on board these public comments, have a discussion with me, and let's draw up some plans to deal with all the issues. It needs to be done.
A pleasant sunny evening and temperature. Nice new pedestrian gate coming off the canal path into the central path toward Ashley Meadow. Let's hope the vandals don't trash this too!
Ashley Meadow.
Yep, they know it's Thursday evening. Right up the north eastern end. Both appeared well. Pump and fence all working OK.
Western Fen.
The message hadn't got through on timing. One was actually at the pump, trying to get water out. The other two were a bit further up the eastern side, doing what the Whites do. All seemed OK, although the one by the pump had a lot of flies on him. We appreciated less of a safari through the fen, to find them today.
The pump was flowing some water, but the boy was having to repeatedly push it to get much up to suck out of the reservoir. I moved the pipe a bit and gave it about 8 full pumps and it seemed to flow a bit more, before he had another go. Quite a bit of air in it, although the other end of the pipe did seem to be in the water.
Do these things have non-return valves on them at the reservoir end of pipe??
My larger shirt has not appeared......
Ashley Meadows 2 cows near the pasture pump at 9:15am this morning. Checked electric fence and the pasture pump
Western Fen 3 cows along the eastern side of the fence close to the gate at the south east end about 10am this morning. All 3 cows were lying down which made them tricky to spot until I was very close. Fresh cow pats close to the pasture pump. There seemed to be an air lock in the pump as it wasn't pumping at all well. However, I left it for a while then had another go - seemed to pump better then and I could fill the resevoir
All 3 cows look healthy :-)
Checked cows, all well with working pasture pumps and fences and either munching away or sitting.
All checked around 3.45 to 5 pm - 14th August
Ashley Meadow.
Pump and Fence OK. Pump not the strongest supply, but working.
cattle fortunately together and only about 50 metres, up the western side, from the fence battery.
looking healthy and relaxed.
Western Fen.
Pump OK. No initial sign of any cattle. Walked in towards the middle and spotted the tiniest fleck of white (top of the back) of one a long way into the centre, which turned out to be nearer the far southern end.....
Couldn't see a hint of the others. So went to see the single one first, but had to go over to the western side of the enclosure to get up to it.
When I got to within about 4 metres, so I could examine (it was mostly hidden in undergrowth), I spotted one other virtually hidden, laying down, right by it. Still couldn't see the third one. Walked a little closer and the grass moved about half a metre in front of me. Nearly stepped on the third cow - or fell over it.
Anyway, it was a good workout getting to them, and getting out again. All three were looking very relaxed ... one was having the odd chew at a bush, the others were looking healthy and resting.
So, all was well, and I got a sticky workout. So did my brother, who reckons he is still kna......... tired out!
Checked Western Fen first at 10am. All three animals were feeding together as a single group close to the pasture pump. I filled the pasture pump reservior and one animal came to drink shortly afterwards. Yesterday was very hot and hopefully they have been making good use of it
Checked Ashley Meadows about 11am. Pasture pump and electric fence were both working. The two cows were hidden from the path and I found them feeding happily together on the left hand side of the enclosure in the north west part of the meadow
Could hear the pasture pump wasn't working properly for the cows today, so cleared and adjusted the hose position for them. Now working well.
Checked cattle today, the 2 in Ashley Meadow were near the pasture pump which made me worry it wasn't working, but it was fine. They looked happy enough and eating away, saw them later as I went back past and they were sitting in full sun, I thought it foolish not to be in the shade.
Onto the Western Fen and walked to the viewing screens first in the hope I might catch a glimpse of the 3 on my way by, no such luck. Opted for walking down the eastern fence line to try and find them, as I approached the reeds 2 appeared, walking on a mission, headed past me and towards the pasture pump. There was no sign of the 3rd cow, as I was stood in the middle of the fen with no indication which way I should go, I caught a glimpse of it at the southern end, munching away on reeds. So it appears they may not really be one herd as this meant the 2 groups were at opposite ends of the compartment. All of them seemed happy and well though.
Jo
Checked both enclosures 7.30 to 8.45 this evening.
Ashley Meadow.
Pasture pump, electric fence & battery all functioning OK.
Two cows, close together, at the far north-western end (bless them.....), munching away, gave me a cursory look and that was it. Looked fine at both ends.
Western Fen
Pump OK. Like the work on the new middle gate.
Cows way down on the south-western side. Clearly learnt from the others or vise-versa! All separated by about 30 metres each, eating well, showed a little interest in my presence for a minute and carried on eating. More interested in the music when my mobile rang! All looked well.
Jo, can I possibly have the combination for the padlocks. I have the key for the old locks, but not of much use now. I usually climb over, but have just had surgery to back and shoulder area, and a bit sore. Ta. (07484 790412)
Three animals present in the Western Fen at 9:00am this morning. Two were standing up and grazing close to the south end of the fen close to a large spreading willow tree in the south western corner. Third animal was lying down about 100m closer to the north end - I had to follow the track it made to find it, otherwise it was mostly invisible. Pasture pump working well
Two animals seen from the path in Ashley Meadows. Both grazing along the eastern fence edge approximately 200m from the gate. Pasture pump and electric fence both checked out ok
Hi All,
I checked the cattle yesterday and got the pasture pump working in the Western Fen, the hose had some mud on it and then just needed repositioning. The cattle seemed unbothered by the pump, they were sat happily in the South/Eastern corner of the compartment. Ashley Meadow 2 were all ok also.
In response to David, this cattle move wasn't planned in advance and had to happen quite quickly as the grazing team were then required elsewhere, therefore it was not possible to inform people in advance. Whenever it is possible people are notified of movements in advance. The cattle we have within HIWWT are carefully vetted and any problematic behaviour will mean we take them off sites where volunteers check them. If you could clarify for me if they actually charged at you that would be useful, if that is the case I will let the grazing team know and see if there is anything we can do.
Thank you
Jo
Hi Sam and Jo,
Just a simple request re our safety please.
Last Thursday (4.30pm roughly), the third cow testing "inconclusive for TB" was brought to the Western Fen.
At this stage, I was unaware that this was going to happen.
At the time, I was actually in the Ashley Meadow enclosure, checking the two cows.
I was between the cows and the electric fence, going from the battery connection after the water pump, moving towards the cows on the western side of the field.
When the cows spotted the trailer plus cow, coming to the Western Fen, one bellowed loudly and "stampeded" over to the south-western corner of the field and fence.
Luckily, I was not actually between it and its path to the fence corner, by the disused gate. However, had I have been, I might have been in its path! It may not have run at me.Who knows.
So, the request, after all this detail, is a simple one, please.
If cows are to be brought in, or taken out of any of the enclosures, please can someone, ideally, Sam as you are working all week, let the daily "Looker" know, beforehand, by mobile phone.
It might be handy if we all also receive a text as well, just in case we are standing in for anyone else.
(email or blog posts which can follow for all, do not guarantee prior receipt if we happen to be on our way, or already in the enclosures, or elsewhere, where we are not picking up such information).
Nothing like this has happened before, and it may be a one off - but I would rather be pre-warned, just in case, please. My number again, is 07484 790412.
Many thanks, and much appreciated.
David C.
