CW 21/10/2023

All four checked and no issues. Grazing happily on western shore as they should be. 

Jack M. 22/10/2023. Ponies off-site for winter

10:00.

Grazier collected the ponies this morning and made it look very easy (helped by the fact Lucy was in a good mood today). Thank you all for your help with the checks this season - it’s very much appreciated! No ponies on-site now until spring 2024.

 All 4 seen grazing together in the SW compartment, near the spit but on the "mainland" this time! Came to call with Lucy leading. All checked over at close quarters. No apparent injuries/ issues. They then proceeded to follow us all the way back to the Ellingham drove gates, just a little too early for their departure on Sunday. Lynn & Bob.

Belated post for Thursday 19/10/23: all 4 contentedly grazing together about midway between the 2 Hampshire gates in the SW compartment. No issues. 

Jack M 18/10/2023

17:00. Ponies seen in correct compartment from Tern hide.

Jack M 17/10/2023

18:00. Checked again from Tern hide following Lynn’s call earlier in the day. All 4 seen together on correct (southern) side of Hampshire gate separating the 2 compartments on the western shore.  

Lynn 17/10/2023

 All 4 seen together at @ 10:00 on the small island opposite the Hampshire gate separating the 2 compartments on the western shore. They did not respond to my request to come back to the SW compartment so were not seen up close. No issues apparent, from a distance. Jack aware and Hants gate left closed as requested so they could end up in either the North or South part, depending which route they leave the island by.    

Jack M - 16th Oct

14:30. Checked up close - no issues. Moved into SW compartment in advance of their collection on Sunday 22nd.

PW

14.24 hiding in the trees by Mockbegger drove. All good.

CW - ponies all fine 14/10 and 13/10

 All 4 ponies checked both yesterday and today. Blog not done yesterday as I checked them on the way home - could only see three at first then fourth appeared behind a hedge! Today, all ponies seen together, grazing, no obvious injuries or concerns with them. Will also do a longer distance look when locking up Tern hide later.

CW - 4 ponies checked 8:50am

Ponies checked on the way in - grazing as before along the western bank. No obvious injuries or signs/distressed behaviour.

Jack M 10/10/2023

17:30. All 4 Ponies ok, grazing by western spit. No issues. 

Bumped into John Levell on the way back who came to see who was parked in front of our gate and snooping around the shoreline after hours.. Apparently my van is the same model and colour as a troublesome local fisherman’s. 

Our grazier Sue has been in touch to say ponies will be moved from site on either 21st or 22nd Oct (tbc nearer the time).

 

PW

15.20 right end of Ibsley shore. All good. Katy wanting lots of attention!

CW - all ponies checked 07/10/23 8:45am

 All 4 ponies seen and checked 8:45am for approx 10mins, all seemed well and happily grazing. No obvious injuries, all seemed to be getting on, no signs of different/distressed behaviour.

PW

17.17. All together just below the cemetery. No issues.

PW

All together half way along West shore. No issues. Very content.

Jack M - ponies moved to W shore - 02/10/2023

13:00. All four seen - no issues. They were happy following me into the western compartment where they will now stay for the remainder of the season. 

PW

All 4 together at 09.55. No issues.

 All 4 seen @1045 although smallest one was hidden away at first but joined the other when I flushed her out of the trees by the shoreside! No issues apparent. All intent on eating leaves off the trees and nettles: seem to prefer these to the  grass.

 All 4 seen together @ 10@30 under trees by Mockbeggar Lake - not hiding for once!

No issues/ concerns although they did seem intent on eating up acorns. Possibly time to consider moving them to the western pocket again as they have grazed the north sector quite thoroughly.

 All 4 seen together near the Hants gate opposite the elephants @ 10:30. No issues, all happy and nicely behaved with each other, mutual scratching of withers etc.

PW

09.25 All 4 together near Mockbegger lake. No issues.

 All 4 seen together @ 10:15 on the correct side of the Hampshire gate round the corner from Lapwing hide! As I had come in via the Mockbeggar gate, I had a good walk to locate them! All peaceful and friendly, for a change. No issues apparent.

 All 4 found (eventually) @ 10:45 down on the shore line near the paddocks, deep into the trees. They were  into 2 x2 which made them  harder to spot than usual. Gently flushed them onto higher open ground for a good look over. All fine, no issues.

 All 4 seen together @ 10:15 in the shelter of tress/hedge at the western edge of the North compartment by the hants gate, as far round from Goosander as it was possible for them to be! All fine, no issues.

Jack M - 18th Sept

15:30. Ponies E end of N compartment. All ok. 

We had a tractor with cut & collect do some work for us today so you’ll notice a big chunk of bramble has been removed along the NW of the shoreline. The idea is to reestablish this area as grassland but I expect it will take a couple of years of bramble control to get back into condition. It looks like a dramatic change but will be great  in the long term. Before and after shots below.

 Thursday 10:30am: all 4 together in shade of trees adjacent to the last paddock containing the old brick ruin/ sheep/ etc to the  West of Mockbeggar Lake. All fine although Lucy still anti-social and bit the palomino mare, again, on the rump but no injury caused.

 All 4 together in shade of the trees NW of Mockbeggar Lake : partially visible from Mockbeggar Lane but a longish walk to see them up close! All seemed fine, no issues

Jack M - 11th September 2023

14:30. All 4 ponies in far NE corner of N compartment. All ok and plenty of grass. No issues.

PW - 10th Sept

13.45 All together in the shady funnel area NW corner of Mockbegger lake. No issues.

 All 4 seen together @ 09:30 Friday, near to the paddock containing their new best friends. No concerns other that the smallest pony (always her!) has got a small, fresh scrape on her near fore leg, on the outside of her knee joint. It is about the size of a 10p piece, is not bleeding and there is no obvious associated swelling or lameness.

Tried to upload picture and failed.

 All 4 seen together (but nearly missed!) @10:00: as predicted they were near (basically opposite) the paddock with the other equines. Our 4 were down in the water, under the trees and very hard to spot. Lucy, as ever, gave their position away and came to see me. The other 3 obligingly followed. No issues or concerns.

PW - Ponies moved to N compartment

03/09/23 09.30. Ponies now restricted to North Ibsley shore. They were only too pleased to head on in. I suspect they will probably spend a good deal of time near the domestic ponies so suggest easiest way to view them will be via the Mockbegger gate Lynn.

All 4 together seen by spit Lapwing - CW

 All 4 ponies seen together - no concerns re-behaviour or any obvious injuries. 

 All 4 together by the Hampshire gate north of Lapwing hide @ 10:15. No issues or concerns other than Lucy pawing the ground at the base of one of the posts to the left of the gate and pushing on it, trying her luck to get to pastures new! Tested it and it seems strong and secure.

 All 4 seen grazing together on the spit just south of Lapwing hide. Seen from up close. No issues or concerns.

Belated post for Tuesday 29/08/2023. All 4 seen from close quarters quietly grazing together near Lapwing hide. No issues or concerns. 

26th Aug - ponies seen from distance 8:55am - all fine CW

 Ponies later seen by Jacki on wardening route up past Lapwing, no obvious injuries and all well.

 All 4 grazing together just south of Lapwing hide. Close up visual check of each one. No issues apparent.

 All 4 seen together on the sand spit opposite Lapwing hide. Had to gently coax them off so I could get a look at each pony from both sides! No issues apparent.

 All 4 seen together on the shoreline just south of Lapwing hide. No issues apparent.

JM - 21st August

 14:30. Ponies content, grazing on spit near Lapwing hide. Fencing checked and intact. No concerns.

PW - Sunday 20th August

All 4 seen usual spot on the spit at 08.25. All good.

CW - 19th August

08:40am. All 4 ponies observed for 10mins from Tern hide - grazing not far from the spit. Following on from yesterday, observed for a while - they all seem well, no distress/skittish behaviour or obvious injuries or concerns. Will go and have a closer look later today. No concerns

 18/08/23

All 4 together and lying down just south of Lapwing. Unfortunately they were spooked and galloped off round to the hampshire gate north of lapwing. They were difficult to approach so I kept my distance. Lucy would not come up either.: she was jostling the others They seemed intent on getting through the gate and the smallest one then tried to jump the fence to the right of the gate. Luckily she failed and got a couple of minor scratches on her near hind leg. The fence posts were loosened so need securing ASAP. Padlock would not open (both Catherine and I tried different keys) to allow them through and prevent further attempts. Brash placed in front of the fence to deter them. Catherine and Jack aware. 

 17/08/23

All 4 seen together just North of Lapwing, at close quarters. No issues or concerns.

 Late post for Tuesday 15 August.

All 4 seen just North of Lapwing hide before they headed off for a paddle. No issues.

PW 14th August

All four seen from Tern with monocular at 08.40. No issues apparent.

PW 13th August

08.30. All okay and  together between Lapwing and Goosander. No issues.

All 4 ponies seen grazing together near Goosander hide @ 10:30. Checked over visually at close quarters: no  concerns. 

 10:30-All 4 seen together, from close quarters, on spit near Goosander Hide. All seem fine. No concerns.

PW

15.45. All together NE Hampshire gate. All looking very healthy. Followed me back to goosander.

Ponies seen near Lapwing hide 05/08/23

 Ponies seen by Jacki near Lapwing hide, all 4 ponies together and well. No obvious injuries.

 10:30 - All 4 seen together by the Hants gate round the corner from the osprey platform. No concerns other than the bay gelding has what appears to be a few minor long scars on his near side shoulder and upper leg, cause unknown (barbed wire/ thick bramble?). These were not present on Tuesday. He is not lame and the scars were dry and free of flies. See photo-best I could get as Lucy wanted attention!

 All 4 seen together @ 10:30 on the spit near Goosander. No concerns. 

PW

08.30. All looking very happy just North of goosander hide. Viewed from Tern hide.

29/07 - all ponies seen together 4pm CW

 All 4 ponies seen together on the spit past Goosander hide around 4pm. Earlier in the day all spotted by Jacki in similar area, but reported the smallest pony was kicking a bit and wondered if agitated by something on front legs. I spent about 10-15mins watching, all seemed fine when I saw them later in the day. 

 All 4 ponies seen together on the peninsula between Goosander and Lapwing hides @ 10:00 28/07/2023.. No issues noted.

Jack M - 26th July

 15:45 - 16:15. All seen up close. No issues.

Jack & Catherine - 27th July

14:45-15:00. All 4 grazing happily on peninsula between Goosander and Lapwing hides.

 25/07/2023 10:30 - late post!

Ponies all seen together on western shore near graveyard 25/07/23 . No issues. I thought I had posted this yesterday but seemingly not. Overtaken by the pony move to fresh surroundings as detailed by Jack. 

Jack M - 25th July - Ponies moved to eastern compartment

15:00-16:00. Ponies grazing on western shore - no issues. 

Fence repair works are now complete along N & E boundaries (for this season) and the Hampshire gate above Ibsley silt pond has been reinstalled. The shoreline is now compartmentalised into 3 areas highlighted blue (west), yellow (north) and green (east) on the attached map. Access points are highlighted purple.

The ponies have been moved to the eastern compartment (after stalling for 20 minutes where they were having a chinwag with the neighhhbouring horses) and will stay there for a few weeks. The best access point to check the ponies now is via the Hampshire gates next to Goosander hide (eastern purple blob). Be mindful walking through here as the sand martin wall is still in use. If you don't have the correct keys (federal and ASEC) to get through the gates, let Pete know and he will sort you out.

On a side note, the Mockbeggar Drove gate is accessible once again for pony checks (north-west purple blob on the map) which will be useful later in the season when we move the ponies into the northern compartment. 

Grazing compartments and access map

Mockbeggar Drove gate

PW - 23rd July

Seen from Tern hide @ 17.10 all 4 at the water's edge, lower Ibsley West shore. No visible issues.

PW - 22nd July

All 4 together 09.30 half way up Ibsley shore. No problems other than they're not keen on the quad!

 All 4 seen at close quarters north end of Ibsley water, as usual @ 10:30. No issues.

Jack M - 19th July 2023

11:00-11:10. All 4 seen up close. Lucy about 50m from the other 3 but all seemed content. No issues.

 All seen together @ 1030, from close quarters. All fine. No issues except they do seem to favour the Ibsley end of the shore, and hiding in tress,  on my checking days! The walk does  me good,

Jack M - 17th July 2023

17:45 - 17:55. All 4 ponies seen grazing NW shoreline from Tern hide. 

PW

12.45. All fine. Lucy is a friendly as ever. No issues.

4 ponies seen 8:40am 15/07/23 - all fine

 4 ponies seen on north west Ibsley shore at 8:40am from Tern Hide. All looked well, no signs of injuries or any separated from the group. 

 All 4 seen from close quarters at northern end of western shore @ 10:30. No issues apparent.

PW

All 4 together southern end of shoreline (phew) @17.20. No issues.

PW

All 4 seen by Catherine from Tern hide 08.35. No issues.

 All 4 seen together @ 10:30, hiding in the trees  next to the fence parallel with the A338 close-ish to Ellingham Drove.  Lucy gave their position away and came down to me, otherwise I would have missed them.  All fine. Lucy then proceeded to abandon "the herd" and followed me closely all the way back to the Ellingham Drove gates then whinnied after me as I left. I think she is still in season and looking for love!

PW

11.40 all 4 together mid shore seen through bins from east shore. No issues.

Jack M - 07/07/2023

 13:30-14:00. All four ponies seen under trees in NW corner. All ok.

PW

All 4 together, mid shore viewed from Tern hide at 08.10.  No issues.

 All 4 seen up close and together at southern end of Ibsley water @ 09:45. I think Lucy is in season and a bit fly with her heels. I would suggest being wary if near her when another pony approaches!  

 All 4 seen together at southern end @ 10:30. No issues noted. 

PW

15.00. Staying cool under the Mockbegger drove trees. No issues. Plenty of butterfly variety.

PW

All 4 seen a.m. by Jacki. Together and moving easily. No issues. Face to face tomorrow.

 All 4 seen together at the Southern end (hurrah!) of the western shore @09:30 30/06/23. No issues evident.  

 All 4 together under the trees  @ 10:30 next to the cemetery-I seem to have written this before! No issues apparent.  

Jack M - 28/06/2023

17:45-17:50. All four ponies seen in SW corner from Tern Hide. No issues apparent.

 All 4 together at southern end of Ibsley shoreline. Palomino mare initially "missing"  from the count but was spotted under the trees  next to the A338 fence, a liitle way off from the other 3 but she came down and joined the others. All appeared fine.

PW

14.15. All 4 very content. New girl like her ears scratched! Half way up the shore. No issues.

Ponies all seen together 24/06/23

 All 4 ponies seen this morning from Tern Hide - later seen by Jacki too whilst out wardening.

This morning ne was slightly apart from them, but when seen later all 4 close together again. No signs of injury/illness on nay from a distance.

Now we are 4. All together @ 10:00 in the shade of the trees by the cemetery. I appeared and they decided to get some exercise, all the way back down to Ellingham Drove. Still quite skittish as a result of the new member of the gang flexing her muscles and showing the others who is the boss!. Lucy is more used to humans and decided to check out the contents of my bumbag, whilst my back was turned.& seemed disgusted not to find any treats!
 

Jack M - 22nd June - another pony added to shoreline

 18:15-18:45. All sheltering in tree-line in NW corner. 

Another NF pony (called Lucy) was bought over by the grazier today bringing the total up to four on the shoreline. She’s halter broken and apparently quite quiet however seemed a little boisterous around the others this afternoon. Hopefully all will settle down once they’ve worked out the pecking order. 

22/06/2023 10:00

All 3 together taking shelter from the flies and heat in the trees bordering the south of the cemetery.  No issues seen.

Jack M - 21st June

 18:30-19:00. Ponies happily grazing half way up the shoreline. Managed to tempt them in with some pony cubes for a close-up check. Hoping to get them to come to the bucket by the end of the season..

 20/06/23

All 3 see grazing together at northern end of western shore @10:30, no issues. 

Pete

Ponies at southern end of West shore 15.30. Drinking and looking very content. No problems seen.

Jack M - 16th June

 13:45-14:30. 

Ponies eventually found taking shelter from the sun in far NW corner. Close-up check. No issues. 

12.45 at top end of West shore. All content and looking very healthy. No problems.

Jack M - 12th June

 09:30-10:15

Ponies checked and all ok. Grazing half way up western shore.

No further tampering observed on fencing opposite lay-by.

Short walk today. They were only a couple of hundred metres up the shore and enjoying the fresher air. No problems.

10th June - ponies sighted, all fine

 All sighted from Tern hide at 8:45am when opening up. All grazing near to waters edge on north west Ibsley, no obvious signs of injury or distress, all 3 in close proximity to each other.

All three viewed with binoculars from Tern hide at unlock 08.25. All grazing contentedly, together.

8/6/23

All 3 seen at close quarters together @ 10:30, located midway on Western shore. No concerns although all 3 being bothered by horse flies and were a bit skittish as a result. 

 6/6/23

All 3 seen at close quarters @ 10:00: grazing half way up western shore. No problems apparent.

4/6

Close up inspection level with the suspicious fence. All good. Drone flew over as I was watching. Owner was parked in the lay-by.

3 ponies all seen by Jacki - all well

Ponies all seen mid-morning by Jacki - from distance but all moving well, together as a group and no obvious injuries or concerns. Will try and sight again when locking up Tern hide (tried this morning but too far up).

2/06/23

All 3 sighted together by Lynn and Bob @ 09:30. Ponies located slightly further south from cemetery than usual (by about 30ft!) all resting but got up as we approached. Visual check at close quarters. No concerns.

 01/06/23

All 3 sighted together at north end of Ibsley water western shore, contented, eating and drinking. No concerns. 

3 ponies sighted together 8:45am

 All 3 ponies sighted together at 8:45am from Tern hide with binoculars. Observed for about 10mins, all feeding near to the north west shoreline of Ibsley, quite near waters edge. All 3 looked to be moving well, no obvious injuries.

 30/05

All 3 seen together at North end of western shore @10:00. All examined at close-ish quarters: no issues.

29 May 2023

All 3 viewed from tern hide just as they were heading out of sight at the top of the West shore. Timing! All together and no perceived problems.

28 May 2023

11.00 all three together just out of sight at the top end of the West shore. All very content and quite comfortable with my presence. Did the full circuit to check fences. No problems to report.

3 ponies sighted from distance 27.05.23 8:50am

Spotted on north western bank of Ibsley water - viewed from Tern hide 8:50am when opening up. All 3 in a close group, grazing. No signs of injuries and all 3 moving fine. Jacki also reported seeing them from Lapwing hide whist wardening, similar spot to this morning.

 26/05/23

All 3 ponies seen at close quarters (2-3 metres distance) in amongst trees next to graveyard @10:00. All content and no issues seen. Youngest is getting quite inquisitive!

Of note: checked on fence previously tampered with bordering A338 on my way back from seeing the animals and was surprised to encounter a man stood immediately on the other side of it. He was holding/ using a small device around 6 inches square and looking out over the lake. I said hello and asked if he was ok/ needed any help, to which he replied "what would I need help with?" I explained I was checking the fence as it had been previously tampered with and he said he had "no interest in fences just......" I did not catch the last word due to traffic noise but it could have been piping. He may therefore have been surveying legitimately but did not offer any more by way of information as to his presence at that point along the fence. I did not look for or notice a vehicle nearby.. He was well spoken, mid 30s? wearing a light brown, wide-brimmed hat and wrap around black sunglasses. Also wore  brown top (with a logo top left nfd) and brown shorts.  Catherine notified for awareness,

 25/05/23

All 3 seen together at top end of western shore @ 10:30 just, to the right of the graveyard., in amongst the trees which made them a little hard to spot. Luckily they emerged into the open to allow for a close  proximity visual check up. No issues apparent.

 23/5

All 3 ponies seen together at the top end of the Western shore. Nothing adverse seen.

1 small item of possible fishing equipment found near to the "altered" fence previously noted. Handed to Pete.

22/5

 14.30, all three in what seems to be their favourite spot, right at the north end of the West shore. The two ladies are shedding their scruffy coat. No issues other than our friends have somehow managed to loosen that strand of barbed wire again.

21/5

Physical close to check. 13.45.  All three looking very content in the sunshine and cooling breeze. Top end of West shore.

 19/05/23 13:00 - all 3 ponies seen together at Northern end of reserve close to the Hampshire gate. Visual check as part of the lookering training with Jayne Chapman. All looked well. Note: all 3 spooked by 3 dogs belonging to and running loose in the garden with the "2 elephants." Paths through the bramble and nettles are narrow in this area: take extra care to give yourself and the ponies room if located here.

 18/05/2023 10:00. Ponies x 3 seen together up close @ 1/3 way up western shoreline. Visually all fine. 

Visual check from distance 17/05/23 8:45am

 Visual check done from a distance for the ponies - with binoculars from Tern hide. All 3 ponies visible, up on the left hand bank of Ibsley , monitored for 10mins to see their movement, all steady and no obvious injuries. Will have training soon and be able to provide more detail and get closer to them ASAP!

fence line

It's tight now!

 All 3 ponies seen together 10:00 16/05/23, located about 1/3 up western edge of Ibsley Water. Seen "up close" no issues- the mare's previously notified injuries are healing well. No flies bothering her.

Noted disturbance to 4 strand perimeter wire fence  with A338. As top photo shows, one strand of wire, second from bottom, has been wrapped around the second from top one to give easier access. I have unwound it and restored it to a 4 strand barrier. Pete is aware of the location and hopes to retighten it later. No immediate signs of any other disturbance, fishing equipment etc in the vicinity. Lynn

Monday 15 May 2023

14.30

All 3 in good shape.

Top end of West shore

Injury looking much better with no sign of flies

First pony check carried out at 13.45 14/5

Three ponies seen

Just beyond the willows at the southern end of the West shore.

As stated by Sue Dunning the light coloured mate has superficial injuries as seen in photos but the centre chest one is attracting the flies. Sue informed.

ponies have arrived

Sue Dunning delivered 3 ponies late yesterday (Saturday). She has informed us that the light coloured one had a fall when they rounded it up and consequently grazed itself. So if you spot this it has already been assessed.