Saturday 10th January - All 25 seen

It was a bit of a moving feast today, with cattle moving around and shifting between groups. I spent time with each group, and all were doing well. After a chilly start, most settled down to rest in the sunshine in their respective groups. They were all very friendly and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs.

I did notice that several of the Sussex cattle have bald patches on their coats that look consistent with mites. I appreciate that, given the current weather conditions, it isn’t possible to spray them at the moment.

I’ll provide a full update later.

Friday 9th January - All 25 seen

 Between 08:30 - 11:00

All have been seen this morning in 3 areas, the first group of 14 including all the Sussex’s and 234 were at ///privately.wide.dime which is in the woods behind the pre-school. All were searching for acorns and eating the holly. They were sheltered from the wind which was good to see. 

The second group of 5 including Brie and the ever friendly 222 were at ///danger.pays.adults which isn’t far from the first group but up on the path leading to horse pond. They were also foraging for acorns as well as eating the gorse and holly. 

The last group of 6 were at the top of the hill at the east end of sandy hill road at ///driver.mile.button. They were also in the woods sheltering from the wind. 

All the cattle were good this morning if not a little wet from the rain.

Thursday 8th January - All 25 seen

 10:59 first big group on Sandy hill a lovely hello from 222 I’m so happy he looks dry and is foraging 

Found Brie she’s by the pillbox eating gorse

SH group are inside the tall gorse eating BW are with them Gangsta no collar 

Milder this morning puddles are wet

11:45 James Bond Pond the SUS have had a drink from the pond it’s mainly wet five on tracker shows 5 but I’ve seen 6 SUS and a BW 

Weathers turning I will need to head in shortly 

12:50 back at the apple tree on Sandi Hill bries group are still here taking shelters in the tall gorse 

13:00 Bries group are all heading for shelter in the tree at Heath End and over to Hungry Hill

13:30 I’ve left them here all are moving and grazing. I did see an aggressive SH streer pushing another SH but the others look happy taking shelter now

Wednesday 7th January - All 25 seen

At 11:50 this morning, a mixed group of twenty-two cattle were gathered near ///patting.snoozing.fewer. Eleven were lying on the hillside in the sunshine, relaxing and chewing their cud. As I moved around checking them, they were all very friendly and enjoyed plenty of strokes and scratches. Older steers 20 and 21, along with yearling 270, were foraging for acorns along the path edge to the southwest.

The remaining eight cattle were on the far side of the path, foraging for acorns and browsing gorse in the bushes. They took turns coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes and rubs before eventually crossing over to join the main group and lie down to rest.

At 12:30, the final three cattle—steer 35 and cows 72 and 214—arrived from the east to join the group, having been grazing earlier to the southeast of Horse Pond. They soon settled, with steer 35 and cow 72 lying down to rest.

By 13:00, the entire herd was settled on the hillside, except for the three British Whites, who remained standing and chewing their cud. I’m sure they were preparing to lie down once I had left. I said my goodbyes shortly afterwards, leaving the herd relaxed, content, and looking well. It was lovely to see the whole herd together, resting peacefully in the sunshine and enjoying the milder weather after the past few chilly days.

While moving around the area, I broke the ice on the large pools of water near ///husky.income.scarves and ///proves.seemingly.cabs, as well as on numerous puddles, to ensure the cattle had access to drinking water.

The cows were all good today.