Saturday 7th March - All 25 seen

The cattle were all good today.  A group of ten south of the nursery and the other fifteen in multiple groups south of James Bond Pond.  I spend a good while with them today and they were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Full update and photos to follow.

Friday 6th - STAFF CHECK

Arrived after lunch, and eventually found all 25 cows. The 4 sussex without collar batteries were hidden below the lookout point, deep in the gorse. Not very helpful of them!

Sean

Friday 6th March - 21 seen

 Between 08:30 - 11:00

Found 21 today,

19 were at ///conductor.shielding.hints this group included 3 Sussex’s 1626, 197 and 1640. Also here were the ever friendly 222 and 228 as well as Brie and Sarah. All were content grazing on the grass and heather. 1626 was trying to get a bit too friendly with 214 but she not interested. The pair of them headed off towards horse pond and on to the sandy bowl.

I then found 219 and 021 at ///sounds.grunt.shorthand they were both eating the gorse.

Unfortunately, despite a good search I could not find 210, 211, 212 and 1396.

The cattle found this morning were all good 

Thursday 5th March - all 25 seen

 13:12 heading to JB Pond. By the pond found first group of 6 grazing and sitting in gorse ///dorm.windpipe.occupy

13:27 Very calm and peaceful chewing their cud. 

13:36 by James Bond Pond ///craft.january.eggplants the SUS enjoying the weather all 7 but only 1 showing on nofence. Eating gorse ind sitting in the sunshine looks splendid 🤎

13:43 a SUS was trying to get into a green bag I managed to get off him and can see inside absolutely disgusting think it’s army human waste and bullet casings. He nearly had it open glad I got it from him

14:13 other side of JB pond group of 7 grazing gorse looking well BW a SH busy ///suddenly.grain.stag

14:28 Brie is heading over the group she is in a group of 5

All seen heading home to dispose of gross waste 

Wednesday 4th March - All 25 seen

At 15:30 this afternoon, nine members of the Caesar’s original herd, along with Sussex cow 211, were resting in the sunshine or browsing on gorse just west of the main entrance to the Gelvert Reserve. The ever-friendly youngster 222 spotted me approaching and wandered over to meet me, keen for neck and back scratches. The others were equally friendly and happy to be approached for checks, with most enjoying strokes and rubs. After a while, the cattle began moving west along the path, grazing on grass and gorse as they went. Older steer 33 and cow 211 soon headed off ahead, while the others followed at a more leisurely pace. All ten were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Deep in the bushes off the path to the south, steers 21, 217, and 227, along with cow 234, were contentedly browsing on gorse. Further south, near ///spill.poem.slung, steers 20, 220, and 228, along with cow 214, were also nibbling on gorse. All four emerged from the bushes to say hello, with cow 214 and youngster 228 happy to stand in the sunshine while I brushed the loose gorse from their backs. Youngster 228 also enjoyed a long neck rub, responding with gentle head rubs. All eight were happy and healthy.

At 16:20, I came across steer 33 and cow 211 again, now with Sussex steers 210, 1626, and 1640, along with cows 212 and 1396. They were happily grazing near ///primed.fluid.towel, close to Odiham Road. All seven were friendly, stopping to say hello and enjoy a few strokes.

By 16:45, all sixteen cattle from the earlier groups had come together and were spread out grazing in the pasture near ///widely.mile.skip. Several wandered over for more back rubs while they grazed.

When I returned to the Sussex group at 17:05, steers 197 and 219 had come out of hiding and were now grazing with the others. Youngster 219 was especially friendly and enjoyed an extended neck and back rub. His injuries continue to heal nicely; however, I noted that he had dislodged some of the scab on his right ear. I said my goodbyes just after 17:35, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 3rd March - All 25 seen

At 15:30 this afternoon, Sussex steers 197 and 210, along with cows 211 and 212, were grazing on the lush grass near the cattle grid at Beacon Hill Road. Each paused to greet me and enjoy a few strokes before returning to grazing. Youngster 219, who had been grazing nearby, wandered over for a long, relaxing neck and back scratch while chewing his cud. All five were happy, content, and looking well.

At 15:50, Sussex steer 1640 was resting near ///mugs.daredevil.sticks, about 250 metres further southeast. Cow 1396 and steer 1626 were grazing in the gorse behind him. All three appeared happy and in good condition.

A short while later, youngster 222 came up the path from the east to greet me and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. He was especially affectionate, offering gentle head rubs while having his neck scratched. Before long, youngster 228 joined us and was just as friendly. Eleven other members of Caesar’s original herd were spread out nearby, grazing on gorse, heather, and plenty of grass. Youngster 230 was resting and chewing his cud a little further south near ///officer.loom.project, still within sight of the others.

By 16:30, yearlings 270 and 271 were grazing in the setting sun north of the water tower, near ///lanes.upwardly.apes. Yearling 271 was, as usual, particularly friendly. Youngster 227 was resting under the trees on the opposite side of the path, while older steer 35 was grazing further west. It was noticeable that some of the cattle had begun lightly shedding their winter coats, particularly youngster 227, whose white hair was clearly visible on my black fleece after a back scratch.

I returned to the second group at 17:05 to find that the Sussex cattle and youngster 219 had joined them. The herd remained spread out and grazing, with several moving into the area near ///dolphins.outs.licks to browse heather. Some also stopped to drink from the large pool of water to the north. I said my goodbyes shortly before 17:30, leaving them peacefully grazing or resting.

The cows were all good today.

Monday 2nd March - Apologies but I am unable to see the cattle today - will be back Friday