cattle off site tuesday 6th October

All 6 cattle have been taken off site and back to our farm.

Thanks for all the checking on them

Grazing team

Cattle due to depart today

 The cattle are due to be taken off site by the grazing team today. I will update with whether that is the case or not later. 

Jo

Cattle check 05/10/26

 Hi All

Checked cattle today between 09.30-10.00, amazingly the cattle were all midway in the Meadows, could this be a result of my weekly chats with them... Anyway, all 6 present and correct, look content, 5 up grazing on Brown and white laid down as I approached, no flies present, meadow boggy in some areas, but otherwise no concerns. 

Water pump working well, clear water when pumped, no wildlife, other than one girl out running, who informed me it was her first run for months...would explain her shortness of breath. 

KR

John B

Friday 2nd October 2026

Arrived at the fen around 8.15 am. All the cattle were sitting under the willow by the north fence. All looked well and clean.  Very few flies about.

Later they were in the same place but standing.

Pump works well.

Richard 

David's Check Thursday 1st October

 A lovely evening. The pump still working well with decent flow of clean  water.

The cows were way down the enclosure on the western side spread over 100 metres from fence towards the middle. As usual when I seem to get there late evening.

Underfoot, still very firm walking along the northern and western boundaries, where I found my mate ....236, the Herefordshire, on his own by the western fence. A few soft words, an appalling rendition of Rawhide, and over he came, gently moo-ing, to say hello.

They all looked clean and healthy, on their feet, grazing, with a white and the other Herefordshire playing (I think).

I started to walk back and .....236 came with me. The others decided that they must be missing something, so they all - bar the black and white, came right back to the gate with me. So, that was an enjoyable trudge to the extremities, for just the exercise.

David

Wednesday 30th September

 Checked the cows at 9.45am. All 6 present and feeding actively at the south end of the fen. One Hereford was browsing on a willow bush

Checked pasture pump

Put up 6 common snipe

Friday 25th September 2026

The cattle must have read John B's report

 They were all by the gate this morning.

4 were sitting chewing , one white was munching grass and one of the Herefords was eating the willow tree.

All were clean a free of flies.

Pump works well.

Richard 

Staff check 23rd sept Jo

 Cattle all well and grazing towards southern end of fen. 3 British whites and one Hereford sat together. Some magpies were picking flies off them, cows didn't seem bothered by this and I couldn't see any sore areas they were targeting. Other Hereford and Angus Cross were stood and grazing nearby. 

Cattle check 23rd September

 All 6 cattle checked out at 10.15 this morning in the middle of the fen

One white ( 179) sitting down, the others feeding

Pasture pump checked

Cattle check 21/09/26

 Hi

Checked cattle between 10.10-10.40, lovely warm sunny morning, all 6 cattle were up the far end of the Meadows, have requested to them they think maybe next time I visit, that they could all be down by the gate..! 

They all looked content, half were up grazing the others content laying down, one white one had a group of flies around head, but the others were fine. 

Water pump, working well, no issues, ground a bit frier than last visit, but still a workout to get to the top and back, saw couple runners and people generally enjoying the area. 

I am away next Monday, but will let Jo know.. 

John B

Cattle check. Wednesday 16th September

 I checked all the cows at 8.30am on Wednesday 

They were all active, feeding in the middle of the fen close to the western boundary. One white cow was feeding on its own away from the group - from memory it's ear tag was 179

Pasture pump Ok

Friday 18th September 2026

Pump.works well.

Having checked it I tried to walk directly to the cattle which were half way down.the fen on the western side. Glad I was in wellies. That route was very very wet on places.

Cattle all moving slowly whilst eating.

 No flies about presumably because it was quite cold at 8.15am.

They were clean and looked healthy.

They have eaten a lot of vegetation now.

Richard 

David's Cattle Check - Thursday 17th September

 Went over about 6.30pm and left 7.30. probably a bit late as the evenings are drawing in fast! dark as I walked back down the canal. 

Pump and water supply all good. Cattle all over SW side and spread over 75 metres in towards the S. Central area. Cross-breed and a White playing, others eating. All looking clean and healthy, no issues spotted with flies. My brown mate still inquisitive and friendly.

Walk around the perimeter, to reach them, was pretty dry and firm underfoot. A bit wetter towards the middle with a strip of surface water. Old green Hunter wellies protected from surface water but pretty useless for any ankle support in the deeper wet rutted bits. Suppose it would have been predictable to expect this...........

Spotted first murmuration of the year as they went down just after 7pm. Rather early this year? 

Wednesday 16 September 2026

At the meadows in.the afternoon to do a butterfly survey and heard the cattle on passing so went to see them. All 6 near the gate some eating the Herefords sitting and others just standing.  Checked the pump which is working well

Richard 

Cattle check 14/09/26

 Hi all

Cattle checked between 10.30-11.00, water pump works well, clear water output, good sitting. 

All 6 cattle up and grazing at far end of Meadows, "of course they are"... All look well and in good health, very minimal flies today. 

Today there was a really lovely, I think I'm right in saying a Muntjack deer in the meadow, please correct me if I'm wrong, but a tiny thing, beautiful, ran a bit then then turned slightly to have a good look at me, then shot off into bushes. 

Ground very soggy under foot

Otherwise no concerns

John B

Cattle check 11 September

Pump works well pumping clean water.

The cattle were on the west side about 3/4 of the way down the field.

All were clean. 4 of them had quite a lot of flies on their faces but did not seem bothered.

3 were sitting and chewing and the other 3 standing and eating the vegetation.

Richard 

Cattle check. 9th September

 Checked cattle between 10 and 10.30am

All six cows on their feet and feeding happily in the middle of the fen within a wide circle of about 150m of each other

One of the English whites was watching me intently a little bit distant from the rest of the group whereas the others just ignored me and had their heads down

Pasture pump is working fine today, pumping clean water

- Robin

Staff check 7th sept

 Checked cows today, all sat in a loose group toward the southern end of the compartment. All very relaxed and didn't seem bothered by flies too much. 

Also saw John's heron while scanning the fen with binoculars. Gave it a wide berth so it didn't fly away. 

Cattle check 07/09/26

 Hi All

Checked cattle between 10.15-10.45, all 6 cattle sited, far end of the Meadows. 

One brown one in long grass, very boggy in there, and advised her to move out as soon as possible to protect her feet?! 

Others fine 2 lying down, 2 eating mostly bushes, they are eating it down, very few flies around cattle, but more pestering me, must be my aftershave. 

Water pump working, clear water, they are st some point going to demolish the fence around the pump, there are a few protruding nails visible now.

Otherwise, no concerns

John B

Friday 4 September 2026. cattle check

Checked around 12.30 pm.

Pump works well.

The cattle were spread across the fen a little way north of the south east gate.

The 3 whites and the cross were in the middle. One of the whites was sitting and had lots of flies around its eyes but did not appear bothered by them 

 The others were standing and eating and had only a few flies. All were clean.

I eventually found the 2 herefords sitting and eating by a tree near the East fence on the very wet tall reeds. I filled both boots with water.

The herefords looked ok as far as I could see.

Richard 

Cattle check 31/08/26

 Hi All

Cattle checked between 10.15-10.45

Water pump works well clear water, not re sited, all 6 cattle at far end of the meadows 3 lying, 3 up grazing. Considering how muggy it was I'm surprised there were not more flies, cattle seemed content.

Meadows wet after all that rain... disturbed a lovely Heron, who was determined to hang around.

No concerns 

Thanks 

John B 

28 August Cattle check

The pump works well and pumps clean water

All 6 Cattle in far south west corner and close together eating grass.

All clean and unbothered by flies.  

One of the whites was briefly chewing the end of its tail.

Richard

David's Check - Thursday 27th August

 Saw the cattle, from the gate, over on the west side flank half-way down. So, decided to check pump first before a few showed interest.  Mainly the  black and white Angus cross-breed initially. Pump still working fine, and now easy to re-position if required.

Went over to west side flank, around perimeter to check fence too. Cattle loosely bunched, on their feet, grazing. Looked OK. My brown mate came over to say hello, interrupting his demolition of as much as he could reach, of a tree! Pulled a few branches down lower to assist reach - he seemed grateful and continue a very low-volume appreciative "moo". Spent some time just watching them, so peaceful and relaxing. 

On the subject of flies, my brown mate's body was fine, but his face and eyes had a considerable number, and clearly irritating him.

Can the grazing team please hand-wipe some repellent, from the spray, around his face - if he will let you.  The others also had a few that I could see from further away, but I did not get very close to them, nor disturb them, leaving them to it.

I'm now away for two weeks, if anyone else can keep an eye out?

David

Staff cattle check 25/08/26

 Checked the cattle yesterday, they were spread out across the width of the Western Fen but thankfully all visible from the pasture pump. Pasture pump was working well. The aberdeen angus cross was sat down in the shade of the trees next to the gate, but got up and came over to say hello. It seems to have more flies around its face than the others, but didn't seem to be bothering it too much. I will pass this on to the grazing team though. 

Cattle check 24/08/26

 Hi All 

Well, weekend sounds eventful, checked cattle between 09.10-09.50, 5 cattle present at far end of meadows, took me another 15 minutes to track down the other white one who was playing the Monday game of hide from John...

They all looked well, some grazing, some lying down, some hiding...a few flies around heads, but not serious.

Water pump works well, did several pumps to ensure water flowing, clear and no issues for me.

Thanks 

John B 

David's Sunday Extra Visit - Pump Check & Clearance

 Hi Jo,

Just to let you know, I popped into the Western Fen late afternoon, to check pump was still OK. it was pulling well. I have cleared and cutback a lot of the vegetation on the stock fence and barbed wire, so it is far easy to get at the hose over the back of the fence, to reposition if necessary.

Great to see the Sunday evening dog-walkers too lazy and inconsiderate to pick-up after their dogs! Plenty of comments about it too, from passing members of the public.

Surprise Saturday Visit - Glad I did

 So, out walking around the back, and did a quick check on the cattle, even though not my usual Thursday slot.

When I was at the end of the corral, one of the brown cattle obviously saw me or heard me calling them. Appeared from nowhere, further down the Permissive path flank, and went up to the pump. Clever this one, it did it a few weeks back.

It goes there, nudges the pump and looks at me. Clearly an issue. Went in and the others drifted over. So, all 6 OK.

The pump wasn't. Bone dry and sucking zero. It took ages to get it into clean water and about 5 throws to get it clear of silt, after cleaning a load of muck on the filter. Surrounded closely by cows offering encouragement. Very friendly. Must like my singing Rawhide............

Anyway, the pump is working OK, but needs keeping an eye on it regularly.

Jo, a thought for next week. If you are out there with some loppers, could you cut some of the bramble and nettles the other side of the barbed wire and stock fence to make it easier to retrieve the hose? If not, perhaps tie some thin rope on to the hose further down its length, towards the water, and tie the other end back on to the pump stand somewhere - so we can pull on that, and easier to retrieve it? Ta.

Friday 21st August 2026

I was in luck this morning. 5 of the cattle were under the willow trees by the gate and the sixth was standing at the water pump. All.were clean, four sitting and chewing, and the  black one was eating willow leaves. 

Not.many flies about.

I could not check the pump while one of the white ones was standing in front of it so I went away for a while and returned to find one of the Herefords drinking from it, so I know from.that it works. 

Richard 

Cattle check 18th august

 Checked the cattle yesterday with new trainee Abbie. They were all towards the southern end of the fen in a loose group. They were all sat or eating happily. They then followed behind us towards the gate and watched us go. 

Pasture pump was working well. 

Jo

Cattle check 16/07/26

 Hi All 

Cattle checked between 09.15-09.50

Water pump works well, clear water, one of the wooden rails has come away from upright post, nail exposed, I have tried to fix as best I could, but will need some repair/ maintenance on it

All 6 cattle at far end of meadows, all up on their feet and grazing quite happily, all looks well and minimal flies present.

Thanks 

John B 

Friday 14th August 2026

The pump works well and  it pumps clean water.

The cattle were on the western side of the fen about half way down. Easily found 5 of them but after a search spotted the 6th, one of the Herefords, in the shadows behind a dead tree by the fence.

All were clean, moving well and feeding. Not many flies about.

Richard 

Missed cattle Check today - Thursday 13th

 Hi,

I have to apologise to all, and the cows. The heat has got to me today. After recent medical treatment, I felt most unwell today, and could not carry-out my usual Thursday Check.

David

Cattle check 10/07/26

 Hi All 

Cattle checked between 10.20-10.50

All 6 cattle present, although only saw back end of brown one as it headed to the long grass, all 6 up middle section of meadows, all content, minimal flies around them.

Water pump works well 

Good news all 6 passed their TB test, I congratulated them all

Thanks 

John B 

Friday 7th august

We have completed the tb test with all 6 passing. The electric fence has been taken down and the cows have been sprayed for fly as well.

Thanks

Grazing team

David's Check -Keep Forgetting to Post -Thursday 6th

 Sorry, been forgetting to post. Checked tonight around 7 pm. Pump is fine. Only found 5 cows and all OK and very friendly. One assumes that they must have been hand fed nuts yesterday!!??. Expected the same tonight or they just love human company. Black and white cross breed is very friendly, as were the Whites. 

Couldn't find the 6th brown Herefordshire.

More vandalism unless omeone has deliberately removed the Oxlease entrance sign post display box covers. Missing afew rails from fences, fence post by gate (previous report) and a seat appears to have been vandalised too.

Nice quiet evening and the 5 cows seemed pretty content apart from  the usual fly problem, although not excessive.

electric fence put up

We have put an electric fence up to help catch the cattle tomorrow. We will take it down once the test has been done.

Thanks

Grazing team

First part of TB test 4th August

 The grazing team carried out the first part of the TB test today which all went smoothly and all cows were fine.

The reading section of the test will be carried out on Friday.

Jo

Livestock check by looker and grazing team 3rd August

 John checked the cows yesterday who were all fine, other than not being able to find 1, so it must have been fast asleep deep in the undergrowth somewhere.

Luckily the grazing team checked them later in the day to have a dry run of getting the cows into the corral ahead of the TB testing. They did see all of them and got 5 of them to come in, 1 just moved away from them. 

Cattle check Friday 31 July 2026

Started late this  morning: around 10am..One white was drinking at the pump

 Eventually, with binoculars, spotted  another white. 

They were all together 2/3 of the way down the field  towards the west side amongst small bushes. By the time I got there the drinker had already joined them : I should have followed her.

All were clean,  3 sitting chewing, the others munching grass or leaves.

One of the sitting whites was bothered by flies. They were around it's eyes.

I checked the pump on the way back. It works well.

Richard 

Staff cattle check 28th july

Cattle checked yesterday, all ok and feeding together towards the southern end of the western fen. Pasture pump working well. 

The grazing team will be on site on Tuesday 4th August for the vet to do the first part of the tb test. They will then be back on Friday 7th August for the TB read. 

Cattle check 27/07/26

 Hi all 

Cattle check between 08.35-09.17, water pump works well, clear water.

All 6 cattle eventually tracked down to far end of the meadows, 2 in open ground, 2 brown and white one's in the shade of the hedge trees, 2 white one's playing hide and seek in the long grass.

All looks well and very content, no concerns 

Thanks

John B 

Cattle check. 4pm Sunday 26th

 I visited about 4pm and quickly found all six cattle close together at the north end of the fen on the east side i e. close to the pasture pump / alongside the ditch. They have already worn a clear path along the fence line that they have been using to get to the pump. All the animals were docile and I could approach them closely although I took care to be quiet 

Cattle Check Friday 24th

The pump works well pumping clean clear water.

Could not see the cattle from the pump at first but after walking south a little way I looked back and saw them in the bushes in the north west corner of the fen.

They were spread out, 2 in the shade under the big willow tree and the other 4 in the bushes further down the field. 

All are clean and , unlike me, not bothered by flies. The 4 were moving well and munching as they went.

Richard 

Cattle check 23/07/26

 Hi All

Cattle check done between 08.25-09.00

All 6 cattle in lower third of meadow, all up , black and white one heading to long reeds so check that first... Others more helpful, two had found some good cover along right hand edge of meadow. Minimal flies present, water pump works well, water clear...no concerns 

Thanks

John B 

Staff check today

 Hi All,

Checked the cows today and they were all happily munching away in the southern half of the western fen. They were quite spread out which made it more fun!

Jo 

Cover for this Thursday 23rd July for David C.

 Thanks for the updates. Glad everything is going well.

Unfortunately, I am at hospital in London on Thursday. Can anyone cover for me please?

Thanks.

David

Cattle check 20/07/26

 Hi All 

Checked cattle between 08.30-09.15, pump works well,water clear.

No sight of cattle, so set off though the Field, eventually all 6 cattle at far end of the meadows, all up grazing, black and white one and a brown one tearing at trees as I think they feel not enough grazing available!

Minimal flies present all good, tried to remember my way back.

Thanks

John

Cattle Check Friday 17th. Richard

8 am. Checked the pump before searching for the cattle.

 The pump.worked well pumping clear clean water. (Thanks to David C)

Standing on the deck where the pump is I could just see one of the whites: I checked with binoculars.

The white I could see was over to the west about 3/4 of the way down the field .

 Luckily all 6 were close  together. 4 were sitting down eating. One Hereford was standing  eating leaves on a bush, which it was demolishing bit by bit. One white was standing and eating.

All looked clean and unbothered by flies.

(By sitting and eating with their heads in the grass/sedge do they avoid flies?)

Richard 

David C. Post - Thursday 16th July - Cattle Check

 Western Fen. 8.45 to 9.30 pm.

Firstly, the gate post of the gate leading from the Barge Canal (at the intersection) into the central path across the middle of the Meadows, has been broken off completely at ground level and is on the ground.

All six cattle up near the gate  and pump of the Western Fen. (Considerate of them, I thought!)

I was going to leave them to it as they looked OK, although a few being pestered by flies etc.

When they saw me watching and not going in, a few moved closer to the pump and started banging it and then looking at me. Clever, aren't they? It was not working - nothing coming up that I could hear. 

So, I went in, and they backed away from the pump to let me at it. Nothing at all coming up. I retrieved the hose, and first throw just brought up very dirty water, which they made a bee-line for. fighting each other to get at it, regardless of the fact that I was left trapped standing on the pump location stand!
 
2nd throw, produced a bit more water and a lot of air. And a crush to get at it. I had a third throw and got a good flow of clean water and no air. 

It was more like an Argentinian football team attack on the opposition, to get at the water. Problem was, I was still on the stand and I could not get them away to get off for quite a time. One of the Whites was hogging it and knocking the others around. getting quite aggressive in there and I was also covered in flies by then.

When I eventually managed to get away and got out of the gate, I watched for a while and it settled down. I was concerned that I had not got the hose deep into water. Went around into the permissive path before I left, and they were still sucking up a good flow by the sound of it. So went home as it was getting darkish by then.

So, can those checking tomorrow (Friday) and over the weekend, please check the flow.

If nobody is scheduled to check, can Jo or other regulars let me know (07484 790412), and I'll go in and check it again.

David. 10.15 pm Thursday

Cattle moved

 The cows are now in the western fen. All went smoothly and they seemed happy to be somewhere new. 

Pasture pump is working fine, but not running as clear as in Ashley meadow. If you do try and reposition the pipe (you don't have to if water is coming through) please be careful of the barbed wire on the fence. 

Thank you

Jo 

Cattle check 13/07/26

 Hi All 

Cattle check this morning between 08.00-09.00, cattle all far end of meadows, all up and grazing, minimal flies noticed, water pump works well.

10 electric fence posts were up rooted and laying down, therefore repositioned them back up, tensioned fence and reconnected fencer unit.

Contacted Jo to make her aware, apparently they are being moved this week.

Thanks 

John B

Friday 10 July

The cattle were spread out along the entire length of the west fence. The two Herefords were eating trees at the very far end. All are clean, unbothered by flies (at 7.30am) and eating.

The pasture pump works well. I tested the fence with my finger. Luckily it does not work.

Richard 

Staff check 7th July

 Checked the cattle today, all well and mostly sticking to the shade. I am intending to move them to the Western Fen next week and the grazing team will be fly spraying them soon too. 

I will update and email when they are moved. 

Jo 

Staff check 30th June

 Apologies, forgot to update this last week, but all cattle checked and looking well. 

Jo 

Cattle check 07/07/26

 Hi

Checked cattle between 09.40-09.05, all cattle at mid point in field, 5 lying down all looked content, chewing cud, here were a lot of flies around head and eyes, they didn't seem bothered, but thought I would mention it.

Apologies to Richard, but I didn't read his blog until later. I have re connected fencer and switched on, as I thought it was worth a go, doesn't seem like it's doing much though.

Otherwise all good

Thanks

John B 

Friday 3rd July. Richard

The 6 cattle were in the far north west corner. All clean. 3 standing and eating. Other 3 sitting down chewing. One of the sitters had flies on  its face but was not bothered by them. The others seemed free of flies.  

They have eaten a lot of the grass.

The water pump works well.

The energizer of the fence was disconnected from the fence. I reconnected it to see if it worked. It did not work so I disconnected it again.

Cattle check 29/06/26

 Hi all

Cattle check today from 08.00-08.30, all 6 cattle up and grazing near gate. Flies at a minimum, but definitely cooler today, all grazing and looking very healthy, eyes clear.

Water pump, works well, black and white one gave me a great demonstration on how it works! Then wanted to make friends!!

Electric fence looks slightly slacker than the last time I checked, and unit itself sounds quiet, couple of pieces of grass on line but no clicking  noise heard? Maybe worth checking 

Otherwise good, they are certainly clearing the grazing...

John B 

Friday 26th June. Richard

Checked cattle around 8am.

All 6 3/4 of the way up the field. The field is much drier than last Friday.

All eating and moving. All clean and not bothered by flies.

Pump and fence work ok. Fence seems a bit weak.

Richard 

Staff check 23/06/26

All six looking fine. Some hornet sized flies nibbling them though! 

Pasture pump and electric fence working. 

Cattle check 22/06/26

 Hi all

Checked cattle this morning between 08.00-08.30, water pump works well, electric fence all intact... All 6 stock present and correct, 5 standard, one lying down all Central too field, seems content, most either grazing or chewing the cud, flies were at a minimum, all eyes free from discharge and udders normal.

Hopefully they can find some shade this week 

Thanks 

John

Friday 19th

Checked the cattle around 8.30 am. 

5 were sitting in a dry area in the middle of the field chewing the cud. The sixth was standing by the west fence . I later saw him eating a tree branch.

Both the pump and the electric fence work ok.

The southern end of the field is still very wet.

Richard 

Monday 15th June

I visited Fishlake in the afternoon to take some photos Whilst I was passing, all 6 cattle were visible from the gate. I did not have appropriate footwear to go into the field. At first 4 were standing and eating and the other 2 were sitting. Later that changed. All looked well and clean. 

Richard 

Friday 12th

Found all 6 eating well. The pump works .

Not sure about the electric fence: no clicks from the energizer and I felt nothing when I touched the fence via my fleece.

Field very  wet especially on south and west sides.

Lots of lovely marsh orchids .

Richard 

Cattle check Jo 08/6/26

 Checked cattle yesterday, all well and grazing in the middle of the meadow.

Cattle Check - Jo

Checked the cows this morning, 5 were sitting down and 1 standing 3/4 of the way down the meadow in the middle. All well and relaxed, 1 hereford had quite a few flies around it's eyes. Just something to keep an eye on.

Saturday 30th May

I did a butterfly survey in the afternoon, 26C, sunny and calm, but saw only two whites. a brimstone and a peacock. 

Part of the fencev by the long dog dip has  been destroyed and thrown into the canal.

A rail has been partly  removed from the fence  north of the council seat.

Surprisingly few people about: just two people with a dog,  a couple of bird watchers at the screen and two other birders who I passed on the permissive path.

The couple and I  watched a tern bring food to the raft.

Richard 

29 May Richard

The fence works and the pasture pump.works.

Found all six cattle. 5 were lying down in the grass and hidden from view until I was close to them.  Luckily one of the whites was standing up and easily seen. They were all close together 3/4 of the way up the field.

Richard 

Cattle check - Jo

 Checked on them today, thankfully they were easy to find and didn't take much searching for in this heat! They were on the Eastern fenceline about 1/3 way along in the shade of a willow tree that had water around the base. As they were focusing on keeping cool there wasn't much movement from them, but all looked happy and relaxed enough. 

Jo 

cattle added to site

6 cattle have been added to the site in Ashley meadow. Pasture pump working and electric fence on.

Thanks 

Grazing team