Saturday 4th July - All 25 seen

At 09:15 this morning, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, Sussex cows 211, 212, and 1396, along with youngster 219, were relaxing in the sunshine in the pasture north of James Bond Pond, near ///replace.headers.plays. The sun had emerged from behind the clouds, and a refreshing breeze was blowing, making for much more comfortable conditions. There were a few flies around, mainly bothering their eyes, but far fewer than there have been of late. All seven were friendly and came over to say hello, quite content to stand beside me and chew their cud. I did notice that steer 1640 had a bald patch on his left rear flank, but it didn't appear to be causing him any problems. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:20, youngsters 230 and 270 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud in the pasture northeast of Horse Pond, near ///laws.boomed.whiplash. They both looked very comfortable and were happy for me to sit down beside them while they rested. The boys were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 10:40, a group comprising fifteen members of the Caesar’s original herd was gathered around the trees to the west of the Sandy Bowl, near ///blast.wicked.moss. Several were lying in the shade beneath the trees, while others rested in the open just beyond the tree line. Older steers 20 and 21 were resting on the far side of the path to the west. Youngster 222 was quick to get up and come over to greet me, rewarding me with gentle head rubs. The others were all happy to be approached as I checked them over, with several getting to their feet to say hello. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

As I was approaching the larger group, I noticed a single Sussex steer making his way through the woodland to the west. After saying my goodbyes to the larger group, I wandered over to Horse Pond and, at 11:35, found Sussex steer 1626 lying under the trees to the west of the pond. I suspect he had wandered up to the pond for a drink before settling down to rest. Although he was alone, he was happy to be approached and seemed completely content, peacefully relaxing and chewing his cud. I sat with him for about fifteen minutes before leaving him to continue resting peacefully.

The cows were all good today.

Friday 3rd July - All 25 seen

 Between 05:15 - 07:45

All seen in 3 locations as follows

///send.node.extremes 220,270,217,033 and 227

///removers.tightest.earplugs (main path alongside Gelvert) the 7 Sussex’s, 230,222,271 and 219

///hints.mango.refuses (north east corner of horse pond) 234,940,214,072,030,035,021,228 and 020

I didn’t see any flies on the cattle this morning so whatever the spray used was is brilliant!

All were good this morning, 222 came over to see me clearly wanting a back rub and seemed a bit disappointed when I didn’t give him one. 

DO NOT TOUCH LIVESTOCK - staff check thurs 2nd

All 25 cattle have been fly sprayed this morning and the treatment is highly toxic to humans until it is fully absorbed into their system over a few days.

The thrown collar hasnt updated location in 12hrs due to poor connection. Assuming it was removed off site, please can the collar that was thrown be returned so staff are able to collect it, as we need to remove the battery to prevent it reporting and being charged by No Fence - or liase with staff to hand over next week - thank you!

Thank you for your continued support

The grazing team

Wednesday 1st July - All 25 seen - Cow 211 has slipped her collar

At 16:50 this afternoon, steer 217 was lying down just outside the cow shed, while steers 230 and 271, along with cows 214 and 234, were relaxing and chewing their cud inside. Youngster 227 was grazing further south, but gradually made his way back towards the shed. There were many flies around today, and youngster 217 seemed to be particularly bothered by them. The conditions were a little cooler inside the shed, and there were fewer flies, making it a more comfortable spot for them to rest. All four in the shed came over to say hello and enjoyed long neck and back scratches. Youngster 227 came straight over to greet me when he spotted me, leaning in for an extra-long head and neck rub before rewarding me with gentle head rubs in return. All six were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 17:40, the seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 35 and 219, were resting along the southern bank of Horse Pond. Most were initially standing in the water, while steer 35 and 1626 stood together under the trees to the east. After a short while, the other six Sussex cattle gathered around me, seemingly happy to stand close while I helped keep the flies away from their faces. They all enjoyed plenty of strokes as they relaxed and chewed their cud. Cow 211’s eye was looking much better today, and she gave me plenty of licks after I checked it thoroughly. Steers 35 and 1626 soon wandered over to say hello, before the group started to drift off into the pasture across the path to the south, where they began grazing in the sunshine. All nine were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:20, the remaining ten cattle were resting in the shade among the trees and bushes at the northeast corner of James Bond Pond, near ///glider.wolves.puppy. Most were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud, with steers 21, 30, 228, and 270 all standing. After saying hello, youngster 270 emerged from the bushes and wandered over to have a refreshing drink from the pond. Youngster 222 soon got up and came over to greet me, enjoying lots of attention. Several of the others soon followed, taking turns to come over and enjoy plenty of strokes and scratches. By 19:00, cow 72, along with steers 220, 222, and 228, had ventured out into the pasture to the west to graze. Cow 940, along with steers 20, 21, 30, 33, and 270, preferred to remain in the shade, resting peacefully. I said my goodbyes at 19:15, leaving all ten happy, relaxed, and looking well.

I noted that cow 211 had slipped her collar when I saw her at Horse Pond. This is definitely the longest she has managed to tolerate wearing her necklace! One of the locals, who I regularly see when checking on the cows, mentioned that there was a collar on the post by the buoy in the southeast corner of the pond. I wandered over and collected it, confirming it was indeed cow 211’s.

The cows were all good today.

Mon 29th June - staff check

All 25 seen well in 3 groups. 

211's eye looked perfectly fine today so the redness was obviously just temporary.

A few flies around but they should be getting sprayed this week.

Monday 29th June - unable to look today

 Apologies for late notice, I have to be in Liphook today waiting for deliveries to my daughter’s new house. They are expected between 07:00 - 19:00. Not very helpful but should get updated arrival times when they are 2 hours away from the house. 

Sunday 28th June - All 25 seen - Cow 211 has a pink patch at the inner corner of her right eye

At 09:30 this morning, steers 30, 210, 217, 220, 222, 228, 230, 270, and 271, along with cow 234, were resting under the shade of the trees west of Horse Pond, closer to the path. Sussex steer 1640 and cows 211 and 212 were relaxing and chewing their cud nearer the water’s edge. Sussex steer 1626 was almost completely hidden in the bracken to the south, and if I hadn’t seen him disappear into it when I first arrived, I would have easily missed him. Although it wasn’t as hot today and there was a gentle breeze, the cattle were still being bothered by flies. They were all very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. Youngster 222 got up shortly after my arrival, eager for a neck rub and an extra-long back scratch. The cattle all appeared much more comfortable today and were happy, relaxed, and in good condition, with no obvious effects from the recent heat.

I noticed that Sussex cow 211 had a pink, slightly irritated patch at the inner corner of her right eye. There was also a line of dark discharge running from the lower corner of her eye down into the lighter patch beneath it. She allowed me to gently clean the area and remained calm throughout. She wasn’t showing any signs of discomfort, and there was no cloudiness visible in the eye itself. The photograph was taken before her eye was cleaned. I have made Chris at HIWWT aware.

At 10:25, steers 33, 197, and 219 were happily grazing in the pasture northeast of the pond. They were all enjoying the fresh grass growing around the bracken. All three paused from grazing to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Youngster 219 was particularly keen for a back scratch while continuing to graze. The boys gradually made their way towards Horse Pond, stopping for a drink before joining the group under the trees ten minutes later. All three were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 11:00, the remaining eight cattle were just arriving at the northeast corner of James Bond Pond, having made their way along from near the Lookout. They all stopped for a drink before resting in and around the water’s edge, enjoying the refreshing breeze. They were all happy to be approached and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs. After a while, they made their way through the gorse bushes to the north and into the pasture to the west, where they began grazing. They were thoroughly enjoying the long grass, heather, and leaves from the silver birch trees as they made their way west towards the large bund. They regularly paused to wander over for back scratches before returning to graze. I said my goodbyes at 11:45, just as they were moving to the far side of the bund, where it looked likely they were going to settle down and rest. Cows 72, 214, 940, and 1396, along with steers 20, 21, 35, and 227, were all content, relaxed, and looking well.

The cows were all good today.