Saturday 5th September - All 25 seen - Cow 211 has lost her left ear tags

At 09:45 this morning, cows 214 and 940, along with steers 35, 220, and 228, were happily grazing among the bracken on the hillside at the far eastern end of Sandy Hill. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. The girls were especially friendly, both enjoying long neck and back scratches while taking a break from grazing. As I said my goodbyes and started heading down the slope towards Horse Pond, they all followed closely behind me.

By 10:15, the seven Sussex cattle were gathered by the trees at the southeast corner of the pond. They, too, were all very friendly, happily leaning in for plenty of strokes and rubs as I moved around checking on them. Cow 211 was very affectionate, offering gentle head rubs while enjoying neck scratches. I noticed that she had lost the ear tags from her left ear. After a while, the group of five, who had initially kept their distance while having a drink and chewing their cud, came wandering over to join us. As I was saying my goodbyes, all twelve crossed the path and moved into the thicket to the east of the pond to graze.

At 10:55, the remaining thirteen members of Caesar's original herd were gathered under the trees to the west of the Sandy Bowl. Youngster 222 spotted me approaching and came straight over to say hello, enjoying a long neck rub. However, after about five minutes, youngster 219 came over and positioned himself for a back scratch. The others soon began wandering over to say hello as well. Steer 230's wound was looking a bit better today, with the wound almost fully closed and a scab beginning to form. The scratch on youngster 270's right shoulder was barely visible today and continued to heal well. After about fifteen minutes, the group started to drift away to the southwest, nibbling on the gorse bushes as they went. I really noticed for the first time today that their winter coats are beginning to grow. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 11:20, the two groups had come together near ///goals.wooden.rushed. After plenty of mooing as old friends reunited, all but cow 72 from the first group carried on west to Horse Pond to have a drink. After a short while, youngster 219 wandered off to find the Sussex cattle. About fifteen minutes later, cows 72 and 940 appeared on the northern bank of the pond to have a drink. Most of the group on the south bank started to relax and chew their cud, with youngster 222 going deep into the pond to eat lily pads. Several wandered over to stand beside me, happy to be fussed over. By 12:10, they had drifted off through the woodland to join the girls before moving onto the hillside to the north of the pond to enjoy plenty of heather and leaves from the silver birch trees. I said my goodbyes at 12:35, leaving them all peacefully grazing in the sunshine.

The cattle were all good today.

I am unable to look on Monday 7th August

Friday 4th August - All 25 seen

 Between 06:30 - 08:45

///swooning.scooped.quality 219,072,020,021,035,220,228,940,227 and 214

///browsers.sending.clockwork the Sussex’s and 030 and 234

///supper.casual.slam 222,230,271,270,033 and 217

All the cattle were good this morning and seemed to be enjoying the rain. All were busy eating with a few still lying down.

I also met Andy, the HIWWT deer manager who was walking his dogs. Had an interesting chat with him, telling how he uses his dogs to find injured deer in the same way police dogs track criminals.

Wednesday 2nd September - All 25 seen

At 16:30 this afternoon, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, along with cows 211, 212, and 1396, were gathered near ///husky.reminds.motion, close to the fenced-off area south of Bourley Road. They were all rather damp from the persistent drizzle but were very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. Cow 212 didn't appear to be bothered in the slightest by the rain and was resting peacefully in the heather. Gradually, most of the others went to join her, with cow 211 and steer 1640 remaining on the higher ground, sheltered by the gorse. Steers 219 and 1626 were happily grazing together about 35 metres further southwest. Youngster 219 was quick to take a break from grazing to come over, say hello, and enjoy a back scratch. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:10, steers 30 and 220, along with cow 940, were grazing near ///hours.land.moth, in the pasture northwest of the nursery. They were all enjoying plenty of heather. Youngster 228 had been grazing a little further east, but soon came over to join us, appreciating a good scratch on both sides of his neck. Cow 214 was relaxing and chewing her cud in the thicket just off the main path, about 110 metres further northeast, while a further 70 metres along the path, steer 21 and cows 72 and 234 were all enjoying plenty of gorse. All eight were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:05, steers 33, 217, 222, 230, 270, and 271 were grazing in the pasture near ///best.hound.credited, southeast of the main entrance to the Gelvert Reserve. Youngster 230 had been grazing among the bushes a little further west, but soon came out to say hello before enjoying a long back scratch. His wound was looking very similar to yesterday, but thankfully, the rain was helping to keep the flies away. The others were all very friendly, with youngster 222 being his usual affectionate self, offering gentle head rubs after enjoying his neck and back rubs. All six were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 18:30, older steers 20 and 35 were grazing together in the thicket near ///skinny.cooked.cycle, south of James Bond Pond. They were both enjoying plenty of heather and leaves from the bushes. They were both happy to stand and be checked before returning to their grazing. The boys were content and in good condition.

Finally, at 18:45, I caught up with youngster 227 on the track near ///doses.gaps.nudge. He had been with the group of six earlier in the day, but had wandered off east on his own. He must have passed close to steers 20 and 35 on his travels but didn't stop to join them. After stopping to greet me and enjoying a neck rub, we walked together until we reached ///ordeals.mugs.bills, north of Horse Pond. He didn't appear to know which direction to go next, so I walked him along the path towards the pond, hoping he would follow me back to the group grazing in the pasture north of Hungry Hill. However, as we made our way towards the pond, I spotted cows 214 and 234 emerging from the thicket some distance ahead of us. The pair crossed the path and headed down to the pond for a drink. We made our way along to join them, with youngster 227 mooing loudly as we approached. A short time later, he was reunited with the girls and appeared happy. I said my goodbyes at 19:05 and, as I wandered off, the three of them headed north along the path, presumably on their way to graze.

The cattle were all good today.

Tuesday 1st September – All 25 seen – Steer 230's wound was attracting considerably more flies today and didn't appear to be as closed over as in previous days

At 16:35 this afternoon, youngsters 217, 222, 230, 270, and 271 were lying down and resting among the bracken on the hillside near ///inched.profited.sped, north of Sandy Hill. Steers 33 and 227 were lying down around 30 metres further north, separated from the others by a row of gorse bushes. They were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, happily accepting plenty of strokes. Youngsters 222 and 230 were especially friendly, both enjoying long neck rubs before stretching out on their sides for belly scratches. Youngster 230's wound was attracting considerably more flies today and didn't appear to be as closed over as it had in previous days. He was happy for me to give it a thorough check, and before leaving, I covered the wound with some bracken in the hope of giving him a little respite from the flies. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:15, youngster 219, along with Sussex cattle 210, 212, and 1640, were grazing in the pasture southeast of the covered reservoir, near ///parts.treating.apes. Youngster 219 soon paused his grazing to come over and say hello before positioning himself for a long back scratch. Steers 30 and 228, along with cow 940, were grazing deep among the bracken further north, on the far side of a large, swampy ditch. I decided not to attempt crossing it, but as they appeared to be heading in my direction, I planned to return and check on them later.

At 17:30, cow 72 was grazing on her own beside the water treatment compound, near ///eased.swaps.ooze, just outside the NoFence boundary. She had found plenty of long, green grass beneath the bracken and looked very pleased with her discovery. Steer 220, along with cows 214 and 234, were spread out grazing southeast of the compound, near ///aged.hawks.gambles. Cow 214 soon came over to spend some time with me, settling beside me to relax and chew her cud. I've no idea what she'd been up to, but she had a muddy face, which she was happy to let me clean for her. While spending some time with cow 234, I happened to look up towards the higher ground and spotted steers 21 and 1626 watching me from afar.

By 17:45, I climbed up to check on the boys and found that they were with the remaining three Sussex cattle, grazing in the pasture near ///abode.degree.nicely. The group had originally been grazing further east, near the fenced-off area, when I first arrived. All five stopped to say hello, with cow 211 offering her usual gentle head rubs and licks. Cow 940 and steers 30 and 228 were also grazing nearby, while steer 220 and cows 214 and 234 joined them around ten minutes later. I said my goodbyes at 18:05, shortly after cow 72 came wandering through the dense bracken to join the group as well. All sixteen cattle were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Finally, at 18:15, steer 20 was browsing leaves in the bushes near ///nips.only.dollars, southeast of the main entrance to the Gelvert Reserve. Older steer 35 was grazing deep among the gorse bushes along the main path, but poked his head out to greet me before stepping out for his check. Despite being away from the main herd, both were absolutely fine and were thoroughly enjoying their dinner. I said my goodbyes at 18:30, leaving them peacefully grazing.

The cattle were all good today.

Tuesday 1st September - staff check, all 25 seen

All cows seen, all good. Fairly spread across site in a few different groups, all happily grazing. Some issues with a couple of collars and connectivity.

Monday 31st August - All 25 seen

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

All seen in two areas this morning

///obliging.pushover.they 19 were found just north west of horse pond. This included 3 Sussex 210,212 and 1640. Also Sarah, Brie and the 3 whites. Most were still lying down enjoying the early morning sunshine. They were all still at bit damp after the recent rain.

The remaining four Sussex’s, 020 and 035 were about 500 meters to the west of the main group at ///beaker.wiser.intestine. These were all on their feet and heading through the bracken towards James Bond pond. Again all were good.

On my way back I revisited the first 19 who by now were all stood up and grazing on the heather and young gorse plants.All the cattle were good this morning.