Highland Cattle on Portsdown Hill, Spring 2004
On January 13th, 2004, we received 5 cattle, who are the Hampshire Western Roving Herd.
January 14th, 2004
From my first contact
'training day', and settled in the holm oak clearing
snow :-) which led to frozen water troughs
They are Just soooooo beautiful
February
A sunday task among the holm oak, providing fast-food for the cattle>
An evening cattle check, around the 25th
Highland cattle, at home on our gentle Portsdown slopes
Searching and counting was not always easy, as they do like hiding in the scrub
Leading and Feeding the Highland Cattle
On the 27th, Richard decided to move the Highlands into the next compartment. This involved shaking a bucket, and they follow.
The first time I did this, alone, was exciting... I saw the herd across a dip on a slope. I called them once, shook the bucket, and they came running toward me, instantly.
It was a beautiful sight, with the evening sun on their coats - until I realised they
really were running straight at me, and for me - intent on getting their heads into the bucket I was clinging onto.
For encouragement to 'walk briskly', there is nothing like having 5 pairs of horns behind you, anxious to get around you and at those sugar-beet pellets.
Leading
Feeding - then back whence they came
March
You want to come over the stile, huh?
skrrrrrrrrrrrrrrith :-)
Not quite so biddable
On Friday the 5th, while trying to lead them out of the weekend-busy compartment 10, I discovered they are not as biddable as I had earlier believed.
However much I shook their food-bucket.
No, we are not coming down there
no chance
WHAT is that?? It may be bigger than us, but we don't care
A morning check
No, we are not getting for you. It is too early.
Another Sunday amongst the holm-oak
On Sunday 21st (another 3rd-Sunday task), I set off tramping around compartment 10, looking for the cattle to check them.
Whilst the rest of the team, followed by the cows, settled down into the holm-oak clearing, ready for a sunday task -
of felling of fast-food
Ivy, their greatest treat
April
April 1st - Herded into the holding pen, ready to move on :-(
