Peter Manning | Tues 19 Sept

All 7 cattle in the sw quadrant of the Western Fen around 10am, spread out a lot more than usual, could only be seen from the screens path not the main gate. NW of the fen is still relatively dry, but most of the rest very wet, almost lost a welly again. Vegetation getting quite low.

Friday 15th September

8.30am Friday. The cows were near the gate. We put a handful.ofvcattle nuts in the basket and two of the blacks one, 876 and 909, came to it. They seem to be friends because 876 allowed 909 to have some. When another black one came near 876 head butted it away.

They allowed me to stand a few paces away from them. The white one was busy eating.

We went tomthe screens and returned tomthe gate to see if we could check the white one. It  came to the gate when attracted by a small handful of  more nuts. It scoffed the lot.  Then smelled my hand, which it did not like.

All seven were clean, if a bit damp, and seem in good health.

I checked the pump, but it produced only a small squirt of water. Three of the cows  went to the pump and operated it. They obviously wanted to drink. I doubt if they got much.

Richard and Elizabeth

Nick Butler: Thursday 14th Sept

The white cow came over to the gate to get some food. Unfortunately the other six didn't follow - perhaps they know that the white cow won't let them have any of it. The white cow looked well. I didn't try to get to the other six, as they were several hundred metres away and the light was going, but saw them all wandering around.

Peter Manning | Tues 12 Sept

Around 10:20 all 7 cattle looking well near the N fence of western Fen. They come to me if I have food, but the cream one bags it all! The cream one approached close enough to sniff and even lick my hand. They all followed me back to the gate because I was carrying the (empty) food tub. Pasture pump not working and they have now cleared quite a bit of the vegetation, Ashley Meadow seems to be prepared for their moving.

Friday 8th September

The cattle were all close together near the big bank of brambles at the north west end of the fen.

We initially  looked for them from the permissive path, but I had to go into the fen to check them.

All seven were eating and moving well. All were clean. 

Luckily the white one was too busy head down eating to notice me. The black ones were alert and noticed me but  decided I was harmless because I didn't go close.

The pump does not work, but the fen, even at the north end, is still very wet.

Richard and Elizabeth

Peter Manning | Tues 05 Sept

All 7 cattle present and correct around 8am, located from the gate. Went in with some cattle nuts in the tub. When the cream one saw me I just lifted the tub up so it could be seen, and up they all came to me. All knew what the tub contained, but the cream boss would not let others get near. All still quite nervous, but looked in fine health. Pasture pump just giving out a dribble of muddy water.

1st September

A warm but damp/wet morning around 8.30. The cattle were sheltering under the willow tree near the gate so we could see all 7. The white one stood guard eyeing us carefully.

They all look healthy and move easily.All 7 were clean, and their eyes seem fine viewing them with binoculars. They stayed closely together.

The white one stayed still watching us as long as we stayed by the gate, but moved slowly away when I took a couple of slow steps towards her.

The bucket of food near the gate looked untouched.

I checked the pump. The basin was full of water (rain?) but operating the lever seems to have no effect.

Richard