Tuesday 31st March - All 25 seen

At 09:30 this morning, most of the cattle were grazing in the eastern pasture of Camp 45, enjoying the lush green grass. A handful were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. Cows 72 and 940, along with steer 220, were resting in the shade of the trees in the southeast corner, while youngster 217 was resting to their west. Many of the cattle took turns to wander over to greet me and enjoy some strokes and rubs, with youngster 222 being especially affectionate and offering gentle head rubs after a long neck rub.

Over time, more of the cattle lay down to rest and chew their cud, gradually spreading out across the southern half of the pasture. Cows 72 and 940 soon wandered over to say hello, both enjoying some attention. Steers 217 and 220 also wandered over to rest with the main group. The cattle were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Unfortunately, just before 11:00, a couple of dogs ran into the pasture from the Gelvert side of the fence line, causing a number of the cattle to get to their feet. I suspect my shouts for the dog owner to get her dogs under control may also have caused a few more to stand up. Most of the herd moved into the trees by the fence line, with the seven Sussex cattle standing together near the edge of the path. The cattle quickly settled, with a number wandering back out to lie down or graze.

I had just started to say my goodbyes at 11:15 when the team from HIWWT turned up to gather the cows for their hoof trimming, which I was keen to observe, so I stayed to lend a hand.

The cattle all had their hooves trimmed and were fly sprayed. Yearling 271's incorrect left ear tags were replaced. A small number of the cattle had minor cuts and grazes caused by horned herd mates while in the cattle crush, which are expected to heal without any issues.

The cattle were walked back onto Caesar's via the gate to the north of the covered reservoir at 16:00 this afternoon, where they received some treats. 

The cows were all good today.

monday 30th - STAFF POST

Sorry for the late blog!

Yesterday (monday) we rounded all 25 cows up and walked them over to Camp 45 in order to change batteries and recollar the few who managed to escape theirs. Today they will be getting their hooves trimmed and given a flyspray.

We will post again when we move them back to caesar's. 

Thanks!

Sean

Monday 30th March - All 25 seen

 Between 07:45 - 10:00

All seen in 4 areas as follows, 

Sussex 197 was alongside Sandy Hill Road, only managed a quick look as there was no where to park the car. He looked good despite being on his own.

Came back to the Aldershot end of the site where I found Brie and Sarah opposite the Enterprise car rental at ///pink.sheep.bridge, both were quite happy and content.

Walking further along I then found Sussex’s 210,211,212,1640 and 1396. Also here with them was 219. They were near the entrance to the site at the top of Cranmore Lane, ///scared.vocal.beats. They were all happily eating a good selection  of leaves.

The remainder were scattered on the slopes north east of Horse pond. ///surpasses.microchip.packing. The last Sussex 1626 was here although he had become separated from the rest. I tried to coax him into following me back to join the others but he was more content standing in the sunshine.

All the cattle were good this morning.

Sunday 29th March - All 25 seen

At 09:25 this morning, a mixed group of twenty-two cattle were spread out grazing south of James Bond Pond. Several were browsing gorse and heather in the pasture near ///clicker.cared.crop, while the others were dispersed among the bushes lining the two paths to the north. The cattle were very friendly, with nearly all coming over to greet me and enjoy plenty of scratches. After saying hello, they would return to grazing. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At around 10:25, ten cattle gathered at the southwest corner of the pond to rest, either drinking from the large puddle on the path near ///loaf.dollar.shred or going into the muddy area to the north for water. By 10:45, they started to drift off again to graze or return to the pasture to lie down and chew their cud.

It was great to see that steer 210 had found the other Sussex cattle and was much happier than yesterday, although he was still fairly vocal at times. I suspect this was simply to ensure the others were still nearby.

I said my goodbyes shortly before noon, leaving a group of fifteen lying in the pasture and the others still grazing among the gorse bushes.

At 12:05, cows 72 and 940, along with steer 219, were resting in the bracken on the hillside to the west of Horse Pond, near ///highly.invent.staked. They were all looking very comfortable, relaxing and chewing their cud. They were all happy to be approached and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs. Youngster 219 especially loved the attention, and after an extended neck rub, stretched out fully on his side for belly scratches. All three were content, relaxed, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes at 13:00, leaving them all peacefully resting.

The cows were all good today.