Saturday 30th May - All 25 seen

At 08:40 this morning, steers 21, 35, 219, and the seven Sussex cattle were near the grassy patch at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. Steer 35 was standing peacefully on the grass, relaxing and chewing his cud, while youngster 219 and the Sussex cattle were resting in the woodland to the north. Steer 21 was resting alone in the woodland to the southeast. Sussex steer 16540's hip looked much better today, although he was already lying down when I reached him, so I didn’t get to see him walking. All ten were calm, content, and looking well.

At 09:35, cow 72 and steers 30, 33, and 228 were resting in the shade of the trees just north of the grassy area at the eastern end of the Sandy Bowl. Steer 222, along with cows 214, 234, and 940, had started making their way over to the trees at the western end of the Sandy Bowl. Youngster 222 spotted me and wandered over to meet me, very keen for a long neck and back scratch. After a while, the first four cattle strolled over to join the others, and they soon settled down together in the shade. All eight were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Shortly before 10:45, steers 217, 200, 227, 230, and 271 wandered down from the pasture north of Horse Pond to take a drink. They had been up at the Lookout and had gradually made their way down. After enjoying a refreshing drink, they each came over to say hello before moving into the trees to the west of the pond to rest. There were plenty of flies around, but they didn’t seem too bothered, choosing to stand close to the trees — and to me — to help keep them away. The boys enjoyed more strokes while they rested.

At 11:10, older steer 20 was grazing under the next area of woodland west of where the boys had settled, while youngster 270 was tucked deep into some holly bushes, trying to escape the many flies. After about fifteen minutes, they began making their way across the path to join the others, where they were met not only by the five boys but also by the eight cattle from the second group. The combined group gathered peacefully under the trees and began to rest, while cows 214 and 234, along with steer 230, grazed peacefully on the slope to the north in the warm sunshine.

As I was leaving at noon, older steers 21 and 35 were lying comfortably in the shade of the trees west of the cow shed, over the wooden bridge. The Sussex cattle and youngster 219 were resting deeper in the woodland further north.

The cows were all good today. Will tidy this up and add some photos later.

Friday 29th May - All 25 seen

 Between 09:00 - 11:30

 All seen in 4 locations as follows

///inserting.shaves.shifter (just north of JB pond) 271,220,230,270,227,020 and 217. The injury on 220’s head is still a bit pink but otherwise looks ok. 217’s tracker is not working, possibly after his swim in horse pond!

///newest.summaries.sharpens (east side of the covered dome) 940,222 and 030

///diplomas.twirls.boomed (north side of the covered dome) 228,033,214,234,072 and 035

///prickly.pastime.hindering (east of the lookout on the slope) 7 Sussex’s, 021 and 219

All the cattle looked good this morning clearly enjoying the lower temperature and cool breeze.

Thursday 28th - FURTHER STAFF UPDATE

Sussex 210 has been returned, after the grazing team managed to dislodge some of the food in the lumps. Hopefully the rest of the material works its way free on its own.

Cheers,

Sean

Thursday 28th - STAFF UPDATE

Today we came to site and removed sussex 210. He had a lump in his cheek and under his chin. Likely just compacted food trapped (as has happened previously with a number of cows), but have taken him to the farm so we can attempt to manipulate it free.

Cheers,

Sean

Wednesday 27th May - All 25 seen

At 17:40 this afternoon, steers 21 and 219, along with cows 212, 214, and 234, were happily grazing under the shade of the trees near ///drawn.mistaken.transit, north of the water tower. They were all friendly, taking a break from eating to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Youngster 219 was keen for a back scratch while he continued to browse leaves from the bushes. Shortly after 18:00, steers 197 and 210, along with cows 211 and 1396, were grazing further west near ///plank.disco.mild. They, too, were friendly and happy to enjoy some attention. Steers 1626 and 1640 were grazing together about 130 metres to the northeast. The wound on steer 1640's left hip looked less raw and sore this evening and appeared to be healing nicely. He was still a little stiff and continued to place his rear left foot carefully, but he was walking more comfortably than last night, which was lovely to see. He soon wandered over to spend some time with me, happily accepting strokes and neck scratches. It was also reassuring to see him staying close to the other Sussex cattle, who gradually drifted over to graze nearby. Finally, at 18:35, older steer 35 was grazing alone near ///notion.clasping.raced. He seemed completely content enjoying some time to himself, gradually grazing west towards the others. I stayed with him for ten minutes while he continued eating before saying goodbye and leaving him to his dinner. At 19:00, the remaining thirteen members of the Caesar's original herd were spread out in the pasture northeast of Horse Pond. Cow 940, along with steers 217, 222, 227, and 230, were lying down resting and chewing their cud near ///exams.duos.spun, while the others — cow 72 and steers 20, 30, 33, 220, 228, 270, and 271 — were grazing to the southwest. Youngster 222 soon got up and wandered over to say hello, enjoying a long neck scratch before giving me some wonderfully affectionate head rubs. Despite the refreshing breeze, there were still plenty of flies about. After around fifteen minutes, all but steer 227 got up and began grazing in the cooler evening air. Several of the cattle crossed the path into the pasture to the northwest, enjoying the grass growing around the bracken. Cow 72 especially enjoyed a long neck rub before lying down to rest. Cow 940, along with steers 20, 228, and 270, made their way to Horse Pond for a drink before returning to graze with the group north of the pond. By 19:40, youngsters 217 and 230 were still grazing close to where they had been resting earlier, while youngster 227 continued to relax and chew his cud in the evening sunshine. I wandered down to spend a little more time with them, with youngster 230 delighted to receive more strokes and rubs. I said my goodbyes at 20:00, leaving all thirteen content, relaxed, and in good condition. The cows were all good today. Steer 1640 seemed brighter and more comfortable than yesterday, though it’s still worth keeping a careful eye on him.

Tuesday 26th May - All 25 seen - Sussex steer 1640 has a wound on his left rear hip and is struggling to bend his left rear leg

At 18:45 this evening, cows 72 and 940, along with steers 20, 30, 33, 217, 220, 228, 230, 270, and 271, were gathered on the grassy bank at the northeast corner of Horse Pond. They were resting and chewing their cud, with a gentle breeze keeping them cool while the gorse bushes shaded them from the sun. Youngsters 270 and 271 were standing in the pond, while youngster 222 was further along the eastern edge, happily wading through the water and eating leaves from the bushes. He soon made his way over when he spotted me, clearly keen for some neck and back scratches. Youngster 227 was grazing alone in the pasture to the north, but soon wandered over to say hello before crossing the path to graze in the cooler shade to the east.

The injury to youngster 220's head looked much less red and sore today and didn’t seem to be bothering him at all, which was lovely to see. The other cattle were all content, relaxed, and looking well, with none appearing affected by today's intense heat. By 19:10, they had wandered off to graze in the pasture to the northeast near ///blame.bloom.switch. I said my goodbyes, leaving them grazing contentedly or resting peacefully.

Shortly before 19:30, I came across Sussex steer 1640 grazing alone near ///part.timed.vanished, well west of the Lookout. He was happily nibbling at the gorse but paused as I approached, leaning in for some gentle strokes. While spending time with him, I noticed an open wound on his left rear hip. It wasn’t bleeding, but looked quite raw and sore. When he began to walk, it was clear he was struggling to bend his rear left leg and was placing his foot cautiously. He let me check his leg, and there was no obvious injury to the leg or hoof, so it seemed more likely to be muscular. He carried on grazing among the gorse bushes, slowly moving onto the softer grass. I’ve let Alice at HIWWT know and passed along photos and videos for reference.

The remaining six Sussex cattle, along with steers 35 and 219, were spread out across the pasture below where I'd found Sussex steer 1640, near ///oasis.grudge.messy. I suspect that, with his sore leg, he didn’t want to attempt joining them. They were all happily grazing, gradually moving west in the cooler evening conditions. They were very friendly, each coming over to say hello and sparing me from wading through the swampiest patches. Steer 21, along with cows 214 and 234, were grazing further east, almost beneath the Lookout, looking absolutely gorgeous in the setting sun. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 20:20, I returned to spend more time with steer 1640 and found him grazing near ///huddling.jump.witless. He seemed pleased for the company and enjoyed more strokes while continuing to graze. Other than his injuries, he seemed calm and relaxed. I had been concerned he might spend the evening alone, but was relieved to see the other Sussexes, along with steers 35 and 219, had climbed to the higher ground and were gathered near ///crows.pram.stitching, about 170 metres away. I wandered over to spend time with them and found steer 210 and cow 211 lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud, while the others grazed nearby.

As I was leaving at 21:00, steer 21 and cows 214 and 234 appeared on the higher ground, having climbed the stone path from below. They soon stepped forward and gathered around me to rest. After a short while, I walked them over to where steer 1640 was grazing, and they seemed content to stay with him. Hopefully, they’ll keep him company overnight.

With the exception of steer 1640, the cows were all good today.