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.