First thing this morning I phoned the Verderers office and sent them a link to my post of yesterday. It seems they did not know of that particular foal. My link has been “sent to the local Agister who will check on the foal and inform the owner.”
Immediately after lunch Jackie and I, after a visit to the Milford on Sea Pharmacy followed by making purchases at Ferdene Farm Shop, drove further into the forest.
On this overcast and somewhat gloomy day we could still see distant cattle and ponies on the moorland flanking Wilverley Road, down which we continued until tempted by many of the animals gathering at Whitemoor Pond. Jackie parked beside the road at the entrance to a gravelled access route for the forestry commission, and I set out to commune with cattle and ponies.
Beside the two tracks leading across to my quarry one of the ubiquitous signs warning of rare birds nesting enjoined the public not to disturb them.
I refrained from photographing the drink can tossed into the scrub which would be sheltering the said birds whose shrill cries syncopated with
the low drone of overhead planes.
I passed a number of grazing ponies as I trudged along the dry, sandy, soil of the given paths.
Ahead I could see, faster than I could reach them, the animals departing from the soon empty pond.
I turned back the way I had come. It was not until I had almost reached the Modus that I was rewarded by the sight of a pair of ponies and foals stepping out of the shrubbery and
crossing to the other side of the road. As the youngsters skated across the tarmac they almost came a cropper and I wasn’t quick enough to catch their ungainly efforts to right themselves.
Further on the way to Norley Wood a few more ponies settled for their afternoon siesta.
Later, I watched the Wimbledon tennis second round match between Caroline Garcia and Emma Raducanu.
This evening we all dined on meaty pork and chives sausages; creamy mashed potatoes; firm carrots, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli, with tasty gravy; followed by strawberries and cream, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden, Flo drank mixed fruit cordial, and I finished the Ponce de Leon.
Quite an eventful day. Glad you got to see some ponies and colts.
Quite an eventful day. Glad you got to see some ponies and colts.
Thank you very much, Pat
Your posts are a real balm, Derrick. Thank you.
Much appreciated, Luanne
It’s so good that the foal will be examined, well done Derrick! Your dinner sounds so delicious, I would love to try Jackie’s cooking!
Thanks very much, John. You would especially like the hotter dishes 🙂
I enlarged the photo of the ‘rare birds nesting’ sign as best I could, but it does seem it lists the name of the species there. Do you know?
Ahem. It ‘doesn’t’ seem to list the name of the species.
🙂
I’m afraid not. There are lots of these notices on the moorland, but no further information. Thanks very much, Linda
The foals are so cute and I LOVE that black and white photo at the end! Very cool!
Thank you very much, M.B. I’m pleased you liked that one
Oh, so glad you are getting some help with the sick babe from yesterday. I had to look up “came a cropper” lol. Jackie’s dinner sounds wonderful. xo
Thank you so much, Jodie 🙂 x
<3
I particularly like the first landscape. It has the color palette I’ve become so taken with.
I’m pleased about that, Liz. I took it for the same reason – not realising that the rest of the post would be largely landscapes too. Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Do we know what sort of rare birds they are, Derrick? My best guess would be Stone Curlew or perhaps one of the Harriers, possibly Montagu’s.
Thanks very much, John. The only clue I have is the chick on the notice.
Strawberries and cream – what else during Wimbledon!
Quite. Thanks very much, Sheree
It’s good the condition of the little foal from yesterday will be looked into.
Today’s set of horses and foals are beautiful. It’s difficult to pick a favorite shot, but the black and white stands out.
Thank you very much, Merril. I’m pleased you liked the black and white
You’re very welcome, Derrick.
I hope you hear the outcome of the foal. One thinks of fungus or an allergic dermatitis, no different from humans really.
It’s obviously a source of great enjoyment to you both that you moved to this area.
It really is, Sue. Thanks very much
Bird nesting territory is my kind of place 🙂
I’m sure, Sherry. Thanks very much
YAY! Thank you so much, Derrick, for alerting them to the little foal’s condition! Thank you for caring! 🙂
Aw, on the nesting birds. Hope they can nest in safety and peace. Hope the big-man-made-“bird” noises don’t disturb them. ✈
Love the layers of nature in the first/landscape photo. Love the serenity and the lone pony in the last photo.
(((HUGS))) 🙂 ❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Beautiful! I’ve often wonder if you can match up foals, ponies and horses from the photos you took the year/s before. It would be interesting to see how they have grown and survived.
There are a few groups we recognise from their make-up and location. Thanks very much, Chrissy
Good news to hear that ‘foal’ from your yesterday’s post will be attended to … well done Derrick ..
Cheers, Ivor
I like the sign, so people know not to disturb the nesting places.
Yes. Thanks very much, Bridget
Good on you for reporting the foal, Derrick!
Thank you very much, Jill
Hope the bird nests stay safe. Perfect photography Derrick.
Thanks very much, Gary
Thank you for reporting on the foal from yesterday! The pair of ponies and foals look like family.
Much appreciated, JoAnna. They did
When you’re outside surrounded by beautiful nature for sure you’re rewarded 😉
We are, indeed, Ribana. Thank you very much
Now I know what both a verderer and an agister are 🙂
Thanks very much, Anne. We only learned when we came here
So, you have found the Fountain of Youth wine, have you?
Enjoyed seeing the sign noting the birds were nesting there and to take care!
I think the signs can be so effective (we usually see the Turtle ones)
Thanks very much, Yvette
What an outstanding day, Derrick. You certainly have a wonderful life!
Thank you so much, GP
Wonderful pictures of your day.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
I deeply appreciate your efforts to ensure safety of the long-legged pony. The notice board enjoining the trekkers not to disturb the rare birds nesting in the moorland is yet another commendable effort of the local governance to preserve the planet.
Thanks you very much, Uma.
Lovely photos of beautiful landscapes, Derrick. I am glad the foal will hopefully be tended to.
He is OK now – healing well. Thanks very much, Eugi
Thank you for calling the Verderers office and reporting the foal, Derrick. Hopefully that little one will get some help soon.
Much appreciated, Lavinia. He was under observation by the Agister and is well on the mend. The main problem was scouring because the mothers milk was too strong – I expect you know about that.
Sounds like the mare came back into heat.
https://aaep.org/horsehealth/foal-heat-diarrhea
Thank you again for this informative link, Lavinia