Sunday 15th September - All 24 seen

I came across yearling 270 and Sussex steer 1626 near ///stirs.inkjet.toned at 09:20 this morning. They were both gazing out over the pasture to the north, watching their herd mates graze in the thicket before making their way down to join them.

At 09:30, cow 1396 was happily grazing near ///pint.blotches.oldest, while cow 212 and steer 1640 lay in the bracken behind her. Cow 211 was resting further northeast along the track. They all looked well.

By 09:45, the first two steers had joined steers 30 and 219 to graze in the thicket. Nearby, cows 72 and 940, along with steers 21 and 220, were grazing near ///masks.feels.towels. They were all happy and relaxed.

Just before 10:00, I heard frequent mooing in the distance. After climbing the hill, I found Sussex steers 197 and 210 standing in the pasture to the northeast of James Bond pond. They had become separated from the others. With their calls going unanswered, I walked them along to reunite with the other four Sussex cattle. They seemed happy to be back with the group and appeared to come over to thank me.

Steers 33, 35, 217, 222, 227, 228, 230 and 271, along with cows 214 and 234, were spread out grazing near ///bunch.clinic.sailor at 10:10. They were enjoying the long grass, heather, and leaves from the bushes. Despite the swampy ground, hills, and dense bracken, the cows navigated the terrain effortlessly. Steers 227 and 230 took a break to enjoy some back rubs.

The cows were all good today.

Saturday 14th September - All 24 seen

Steers 33, 217, 219 and 230 were grazing among the trees near ///tinny.grades.kite at the Shell Garage end of the site at 09:50 this morning. Youngster 228 was climbing a small hill to reach the best leaves from the trees. Further north, steers 21, 30, 35, 222 and 227 were grazing in the thicket near ///licks.taxi.sadly.

Cows 72, 234 and 940 were grazing on the higher ground near ///prep.chiefs.belief at 10:20. Cow 214 emerged from the thicket, paused for a drink from a large puddle, then came over to say hello and enjoy a long back rub before wandering off to graze.

Youngster 220 and yearlings 270 and 271 were deep in the gorse bushes west of the second group of steers. Since they weren’t in any rush to come out, I headed further west to locate the Sussex cattle.

At 10:50, I found steers 197, 210 and 1640, along with cow 212, relaxing and chewing their cud near ///goals.gazed.infringe. Cows 211 and 1396 were lying a bit further west. They were all enjoying the sunshine, despite the many flies. Despite a good look around, there was no sign of steer 1626. The six cattle that were found were all happy, relaxed and looking well.

By 11:15, most of the steers had gathered near ///cocoons.slugs.hits. Sussex steer 1626 was grazing among the trees to the south, while steers 220, 270 and 271 had emerged from the gorse and were eating leaves to the north. By 11:30, most of the group had settled down to rest, with cows 214 and 940 soon joining them.

The cows were all good today.

Thursday 12th September - 18 seen

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it out until later, but at 18:15, I found steers 217, 219 and 222, along with cow 234, grazing among the bracken near ///husky.shield.whites. They were all happy, relaxed and looking really well, seemingly content in their own little group.

Cows 72 and 940, along with steers 30, 228, 270 and 271 were grazing in the thicket just below the Lookout at 18:35. As I made my way down the hill, steer 227 emerged from the bushes near ///pool.dote.lightly. He came over to say hello and enjoyed a neck rub before starting to graze along the path's edge. Steer 21 and cow 214 were also grazing in the same bushes. Despite a heavy shower, I made my way through the swampy ground and dense bracken to check on the first group of six cows, and they were all doing well.

Cow 212 and steers 220, 230, 1626, and 1640 were grazing near ///pods.dent.fast at 19:10. They were enjoying the long grass growing around the bracken. Steer 1640 was munching on leaves from the bushes, while steer 1626 wandered over for a drink from a puddle. They all appeared happy and relaxed.

Despite searching until dark at 19:50, I wasn’t able to find steers 33, 35, 197 and 210 plus cows 211 and 1396. Sadly, I started out too late to conduct my usual full search of the site this evening.

The cows that I did find were all good.

Wednesday 11th September - All 24 seen

Steers 217, 219 and 222, along with cow 234, were grazing near ///clots.spits.remind at 16:45 this afternoon. Cow 234 paused for a big drink from a large puddle. They all seemed happy, relaxed and were looking well.

At 17:05, steers 220, 230 and 1626 were happily grazing around ///rosette.lofts.feuds, while cow 212 stood in the sunshine, chewing her cud. After enjoying a head rub, steer 1640 lay down in the heather, relaxing and chewing his cud. They were all happy and relaxed.

Just before 17:25, distant rumbles of thunder were heard, and within minutes, a large storm hit the site, bringing strong winds, hail and plenty of thunder and lightning. The five cows and I quickly dashed for cover under the trees near ///save.clocks.doses.

By 17:55, cows 72, 214 and 940, along with steers 30, 227, 228, and 271, were found sheltering together in some bushes near ///senses.ogre.churn as the storm eased. Steers 21 and 270 were further west, in the thicket. By the time I reached the first group, they had started grazing in the surrounding area. Despite being soaked, they were all doing well.

I returned to second group at 18:25, who were now grazing near ///settle.rules.models. Unfortunately, no other cows had joined them, so I set off to search for the remaining six.

After a long search, I found steers 33, 35, 197 and 210, along with cows 211 and 1396, spread out grazing near ///deny.worth.spill at 19:20. They all came over to say hello, and despite being really wet, cow 211 greeted me with a few head rubs. They were all good.

 

Before leaving, I checked on the first group of cows again. All four were happily grazing near ///went.sock.lodge, drying off nicely and looking fine at 19:35.

It felt strange not seeing Bertie (steer 20) this evening. I really hope he responds well to treatment and makes a speedy recovery.

The cows were all good today, despite the weather's best efforts to spoil it.

Tuesday 10th September - 1 cow removed (20) back to the farm for wound treatment

Hi Everyone, 

We've removed 20 (steer that received a wound a couple of weeks ago) 

Back to the farm for treatment. 

Thank you so much for keeping an eye on them! 

Best wishes

Grazing Team

Tuesday 10th September - All 25 seen

The seven Sussex cattle, along with Shetland steers 33, 35, 220 and 230, were spread out grazing from the pill box along to their favourite corner on Sandy Hill at 12:40 this afternoon. They all came over to say hello, with several enjoying some back scratches. Cow 211 was her usual friendly self, giving me plenty of head rubs and a few licks. They were all happy, relaxed and looking well.

The water pipe contractors have begun work just beyond the fence at the corner, with digger tracks visible in the grass. The padlock and chain have also been removed from the recently replaced gate.

The fourteen other cattle were gathered just along from the Lookout at 13:15. It was rather blustery on the higher ground today. Most of the group were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. Steer 21, along with cows 234 and 940, were up and about while steers 30, 217 and 271 were tucked away in the bracken. Steers 20 and 227, along with cow 72, were resting in a more sheltered spot off to the side. Steer 20 remained lying down throughout my visit, so I couldn't check his wound. Steer 219's eye looked less red today, though he was still bothered by flies around his eyes. Overall, the cows were looking well.

The cows were all good today.