Sunday 1st March - All 25 seen

At 09:00 this morning, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, along with cows 211 and 212, were grazing contentedly on the grass on Sandy Hill, near ///walls.pats.causes. They were all very friendly, coming over to greet me and enjoy some strokes. They were damp from the drizzle but were happy, relaxed, and looking well. In the distance to the east, I could see another group of cattle grazing further along Sandy Hill.

Around ten minutes later, cow 940 came up the nearby hill from Longbottom. She wandered over to say hello before setting off east along the hill to join the others. Older steers 21, 33, and 35 soon followed. They, too, greeted me before starting to browse the gorse. I then returned to spend more time with Sussex steer 197, who was a little further west, and spotted older steer 20 coming down the hill from James Bond Pond. A few minutes later, he also came up the hill, paused for a rest, and then set off eastwards. The group of five Sussex cattle followed shortly afterwards.

By 09:30, cows 214 and 234, along with steers 217, 219, 220, 228, 270, and 271, were grazing near the pillbox, mainly munching on grass and gorse. They were soon joined by several of the cattle who had wandered along the hill. The others preferred to graze near ///revisits.study.fizzle, enjoying grass and bramble on one side of the path and gorse on the other.

By 10:00, the remaining seven cattle, including the final two Sussex cattle, came wandering along in ones and twos from the west to join the group. Youngster 222 came straight over to say hello and enjoyed a long neck and back scratch, with youngsters 227 and 230 waiting patiently for their turns. They were all happy and in good condition.

Despite the almost constant drizzle, the cattle continued to graze or rest and chew their cud on both sides of the central gorse bushes. It was great to see the whole herd back together again.

By 11:15, around half the herd had passed through the gorse bushes at the edge of Sandy Hill and started to graze among the heather on the slope near ///easels.rips.dignify. Several wandered over for more back scratches before I said my goodbyes at 11:30. As I climbed back up the hill, steer 197 and cow 1396 were waiting for me, both happy to receive some final strokes.

The cows were all good today. 

Saturday 28th February - All 25 seen

At 09:25 this morning, thirteen members of the Caesar’s original herd were grazing on the slope near ///timer.memo.plug, northeast of the covered reservoir. They were very friendly, wandering over to say hello and enjoy strokes and rubs. Although damp from earlier rain, they quickly dried in the breeze. After our greetings, several drifted back to grazing, gradually making their way towards the reservoir while nibbling the surrounding pasture. The others chose to rest and chew their cud on the hillside, occasionally returning for more scratches. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:20, steers 21, 33, 35, 222, and 230 were grazing southwest of the Lookout, near ///quantity.laces.fade. Youngster 222 enjoyed extended neck and back scratches, while the other four moved east to browse gorse. After a good while, and plenty of gentle head rubs, he rejoined his herd mates. As I walked around to check them, the others emerged from the gorse to greet me. All five were content and in good condition. By 11:00, the sun had made a welcome appearance, and youngster 230 stood happily for a long back rub while chewing his cud, shifting backwards and forwards to ensure every itchy spot was reached. By 11:20, youngster 222 had joined him, and the pair stood peacefully in the sunshine chewing their cud, while the others continued grazing nearby.

By 11:40, Sussex steers 1626 and 1640, along with cows 211 and 1396, were resting on the hillside near ///snowy.chuck.object, southwest of the covered reservoir. While giving cow 211 a neck rub, I noticed the other three about 65 metres further northwest near the fence line. They were all relaxed, friendly, and looking great in the warm sunshine.

There was a burnt-out van on the Gelvert side of the fence, close to the Caesar’s/Gelvert dividing gate at the water treatment compound. I mentioned it to a member of the Landmarc team, who stopped for a chat while I was with the cows; he said it had been there for at least a week.

As I was leaving at 12:45, yearling 271 was lying on the hillside northeast of the reservoir, near ///edgy.bloom.mile. Most of the others were lying in the valley further north, with cow 214 and steer 219 still grazing on heather. After a few final strokes, I said my goodbyes at 13:10.

The cows were all good today.

Delayed Staff Update

 Apologies for the delay in posting this, but judt to say Dave has closed the gates into Gelvert, so all the cattle are on Caesars main and easier to find. It will likely remain like this until we have time to go back to change the batteries on the Sussexes collars

Friday 27th February - 19 seen

 Between 08:30 - 10:45

19 seen in two groups.

First group were at ///chop.friend.edges just east of the horse pond, all were busy eating gorse and all looked in good shape.

Second group were at  ///fragment.relieves.hairspray on the path adjacent to Sandy hill Road towards the pillbox. Again most were eating the gorse with a couple grazing on the wet grass. All looked good and quite content with life.

I then looked for the remaining 6 Sussex’s between the shell petrol station and the gelvert entrance on beacon hill road. Unfortunately I couldn’t find them, asked a few dog walkers if they had seen them but no luck I’m afraid.