Sunday 15th February - All 25 seen

All twenty-five very wet cattle seen in two groups today.

At 09:00 this morning, the sis Sussex cattle had returned to Caesar's Camp and were sheltering from heavy rain under the trees and gorse bushes south of the Lookout. They were peacefully foraging for acorns and munching on gorse. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The remaining nineteen cattle were spread out under the trees near the water tower. Most were resting and chewing their cud while waiting for the rain to ease. A handful were grazing contentedly under the shelter of the trees. Despite being wet they were all still very friendly, coming over to say hello and to enjoy plenty of strokes. They seemed pleased to have the rain brushed from their backs sides.

As I was saying my goodbyes at 11:30 the group started to move off to the north, keeping close to the tree line  presumably to graze some more.

The cows were all good today. Full update and some photos if I can get my phone to dry out! 

Saturday 14th February - All 25 seen

At 09:00 this morning, cows 72, 214, and 234, along with youngsters 220 and 222, were resting peacefully in the sunshine south of James Bond Pond, near ///hunk.hears.brick. They were all very friendly, taking turns to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. All five were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 09:55, cow 940, together with steers 219, 228, and 1626, were grazing along the path north of James Bond Pond. Cow 940 wandered west along the southern edge of the path, then turned around at the end and made her way back along the northern side. Youngster 219’s ear looked clean and continues to heal steadily.

The remaining ten members of the original Caesar’s herd were in the pasture to the north. Most were spread out, resting and chewing their cud in the sunshine, while a few continued grazing. Many enjoyed strokes as I made my way around checking on them. After a while, the group of four crossed the bank to join the main herd. I said my goodbyes at 11:25, leaving them resting peacefully. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 11:30, I found the six Sussex cattle near ///dusted.parent.studs, just north of the fence line. They were lying in the heather, relaxing and chewing their cud. All were happy to be approached and thoroughly enjoyed neck and back scratches while resting. Steer 197 and cow 212 both stood up to ensure I didn’t miss any itchy spots. Cow 211 was especially affectionate, offering licks and gentle head rubs while enjoying an extended neck and head scratch. It was lovely to see them and spend a quiet hour in their company. Aside from some additional hair loss, they were all happy, content, and looking well.

Shortly after 12:40, I returned to the main group, who had been joined by the five cattle that had been south of the pond earlier. Most were lying down together in a large huddle, resting and chewing their cud, while a couple remained standing at the edge. Several of the older steers, along with youngster 217, were slightly further east, resting in a smaller group of their own. I said my final goodbyes just after 13:00, leaving them all calm and settled.

The cows were all good today.

210 found

Returned to site, found 210 where all the others were earlier near to wherr we set up crush etc in Gelvert. 

He is with 1640. So all 25 seen today! 

15.26 

Zoe 

Friday 13th - Hunt for the missing Sussex's! 24 seen, 210 Still at large!

Hi All, onsite this morning to track down the missing Sussex's! 

10.00am 

They were practically stood by the gate as I came onto site! (Gelvert side) Nice to meet Graham too . 

1640 - hooves are quite long

1396 - SUS

212 - SUS

211 -SUS no collar 

197 - SUS

Graham had seen 19 cows earlier in the morning. 

This means 24 have been seen and 210 SUS still to be seen. 

I had to cut our chat short (sorry Graham!) As I was meeting Landmarc to collect 3 no fence collars. 

11.31 

On the hunt for 210! I circled back round and caught up with the five from earlier. Still only 5. 

11.51 

19 found all sleeping together near the sand bar as Graham saw earlier. 

So thats 24 seen today and 5 out of 6 sussexs 

210 still needs to be seen, last seen 8th Feb

Have spoken to Ned, we are going to try and rally a few people to search again this afternoon. Will keep you posted 

Zoe 

Friday 13th - 24 seen

 Between 08:30 - 10:45

19 have been found just west of the sandy bowl near ///snow.fits.escape. All were busy eating gorse with some still searching for acorns. Whilst I could see 219 he was too far into the gorse to get a good look at his ear. Sussex 1626 had become separated from the main group. I managed to get him to follow me back to the rest of the group. When I left most of them were heading in the direction of the horse pond.

I decided to drive along the Bourley Road in the hope of seeing the missing 6 Sussex’s. Then up Beacon Hill Road where I managed to catch site of one of them. Zoe was also there. We saw 5 of the 6 with only 210 still to be seen. The white truck is like a magnet as 4 came running towards it.

It was lovely to meet Zoe this morning having previously spoken a couple of times on the phone.

All the cattle were good this morning.

Thursday 12th February - 19 seen - 3 trackers found are with TEPS in Pirbright

 11:11 Sandy hill estate Brie is here with 5 SH and a BW rain is staring now grazing gorse bushes. Fire truck inspecting the pathway gone now

11:24 Brie has escaped the SH mooed at me and stormed off towards the water tower I wonder what has happened I don’t think she is happy normally she is calm and ignores me 

She’s bellowing  from the trees at the west end of Sandy hill ///personal.hazel.fills but no response the others are by James Bond pond she’s gone the other way to the water tower she doesn’t show up on the tracker. She is on tracker now back with the SH on Sandy Hill path 

11:43 I’m over by James Bind Pond with the main group this group of 12 including 1 SUS. All well SH mooing away for the other SH 

Found a tracker 238537 fallen off by JBPond.

I wondered all around the lookout to find the missing 6 SUS, couldn’t find them.

met a TEPS officer based in Pirbright he says they have 2 other trackers back at the office so I gave him the one I found. Could the trackers be collected from the MOD? 

I checked from the Lookout over to Horse Pond, no sign of the SUS. Got MOD training on the Heathland so noisy and busy there. Didn’t have time to get over to the Sandy bowl would’ve wanted to search there but couldn’t. 

Hope we can find them, miss them loads 🤎🤎

Wednesday 11th February - 19 seen - Steer 271 has been fitted with the wrong left ear tags, and is carrying those belonging to steer 217.

At 15:15 this afternoon, the eighteen members of the original Caesar’s herd, along with Sussex steer 1626, were spread out grazing in the pasture near ///plugs.tribes.chairs, northwest of Horse Pond. Most were enjoying plenty of heather along the hillside, while others browsed deep in the gorse bushes. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs.

By 15:30, rain had set in and most of the cattle had moved to shelter under the trees to the northwest. Youngsters 219, 222, 228, and 230 were their usual friendly selves, returning for long neck and back scratches. A little later, cow 72 and yearling 271 — who had both continued grazing out in the open — wandered over for some attention. They seemed pleased to have the rain brushed from their backs and sides, with their coats ruffled to help them dry.

It was reassuring to see that steers 30 and 219 still had a good amount of antiseptic spray visible on their ears, despite the heavy rain since they were treated yesterday. I also noticed that yearling 271 appears to have been fitted with the wrong left ear tags, as he is currently carrying those belonging to youngster 217. I have informed the Grazing Team.

I said my goodbyes just after 16:15, leaving the group grazing among the thicket beneath the trees. They were all happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Despite searching in the rain until dark, I was once again unable to locate the elusive six Sussex cattle. Hopefully, they will reappear from their hiding place soon.

The cows that were found were all good today.