Sunday 12th July - All 25 seen

At 09:30 this morning, the seven Sussex cattle, along with steers 20, 21, 30, 35, 219, and 228, were well spread out grazing in the pasture about 450 metres west of the Sandy Bowl, around ///aside.palm.supply. They were all friendly, stopping to say hello and enjoy plenty of attention. Youngster 228 thoroughly enjoyed a long back scratch while standing in the shade beneath one of the large trees. Older steer 21 preferred to stand close and chew his cud as I helped keep the many flies away from his eyes. By 10:25, the group crossed the path to the west and disappeared into the bracken as they made their way towards Horse Pond for a drink before settling beneath the trees to the west of the pond. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 10:30, cows 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 33, 220, 222, 227, 230, 270, and 271, were huddled together resting beneath the large tree near ///fuzz.arise.braked. Several were lying in the bracken, trying to keep the many flies away from their eyes. Cow 72 was lying in the sunshine slightly to the northwest, contentedly chewing her cud despite being pestered by flies, while youngster 217 was grazing among the bracken further southwest. Cow 72 was happy to be approached and enjoyed plenty of gentle strokes around her face and neck. After a short while, youngster 222 got to his feet and wandered over to greet me, enjoying a neck scratch before returning the affection with gentle head rubs. He then shuffled forward and thoroughly enjoyed an extra-long back scratch. The others were all friendly when I checked on them, with many getting to their feet to enjoy a little attention.

By 11:20, youngster 217 had joined the group, and they all started to get to their feet and gather beneath the large tree. A short time later, they followed the path to the northeast, stopping beneath the trees at the far end. After resting for a short while, they moved into the same pasture the earlier group had been using and began to graze. They mostly kept to the shade of the bracken and trees, gradually making their way southeast.

I said my goodbyes shortly after midday, just as the first of the group began crossing the path to the south and moving into the pasture near ///fuzz.arise.braked to continue grazing. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and in good condition despite the prospect of another hot afternoon.

The cattle were all good today.

 

Saturday 11th July - All 25 seen

The cattle were seen in three groups today – the seven Sussex cattle, plus steers 21 and 219, near the water tower; cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20 and 271, under the trees to the east of James Bond Pond; and the remaining ten steers under the trees to the east of Horse Pond.  

All were very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I checked on them. Despite the slightly cooler weather and a refreshing breeze, there were still a lot of flies about.  The group by Horse Pond were worst affected, with a few teary faces where flies were irritating their eyes and causing them to water.

Overall, the cattle were in good spirits – happy, relaxed, and looking well.  They appear to be coping well with this long hot spell.

Friday 10th June - All 25 seen

 Between 05:30 - 07:30

All seen in two slightly scattered groups as follows

///operation.impulsive.edge (north west of JB pond) the 7 Sussex’s, their best friend 219 and 021,020,072 and 940.

///ecologist.stripped.stay (north east of JB pond) the remaining 13. 

All were good this morning with a lot coming over for some back rubs especially 234.

By the time I left the first group were heading towards Beacon Hill Road and second group were moving in the direction of JB pond.

Wednesday 8th July - All 25 seen

Shortly before 18:00 this evening, all twenty-five cattle were scattered around the covered reservoir, grazing in small groups around its perimeter. Despite the heat, they were all grazing contentedly, doing their best to keep in the shade, with many using the bracken or tall grass for shelter from the sun. A few had tear streaks on their faces where the flies had clearly been bothering them earlier in the day.

The cattle were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most pausing to greet me and enjoy a few strokes and rubs. Despite the warm sunshine, many were happy to stand for long neck and back scratches before returning to their grazing. Youngster 219, Sussex cows 211, 212, and 1396, along with steers 210 and 1640, gradually made their way up to the pasture southeast of the reservoir, making light work of the remaining swampy areas. Youngsters 219 and 222 were especially friendly, both enjoying lots of attention and returning the affection with plenty of gentle licks.

By 19:30, most of the remaining cattle were grazing on the hillside north of the reservoir, near ///behave.dull.grins. Older steers 21 and 33, along with youngster 230, were grazing in the swampy area northwest of the reservoir, close to the Gelvert fence line. Despite the hot weather, they were all happy, relaxed, and looking well. They showed no signs of discomfort and were all seen grazing and resting normally, with several stopping for a drink from the swampy areas around the reservoir. I said my goodbyes a short time later, leaving them all calm and peaceful.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 7th July - All 25 seen

At 17:00 this afternoon, all twenty-five cattle were together, although spread out across the pasture about 450 metres southwest of the trees at the western end of the Sandy Bowl. It was very warm, and they were all lying in the shade, either chewing their cud or snoozing. Cows 211, 214, and 234, along with steers 35, 210, 217, 220, 228, 270, 271, and 1640, were resting under the trees near ///films.voice.magic, while the remainder were lying either in the bracken or beneath trees further west. Steers 20, 21, 30, and 230 were completely hidden beneath the bracken, helping to shield them from the sun and the many flies bothering the herd's eyes. It was quite the job finding the boys, but they were all happy to be checked.

As I moved around the herd, many of the cattle got up to greet me, keen to enjoy plenty of neck and back scratches. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, greeting me with gentle head rubs. He also accompanied me while I checked on some of the others, occasionally reminding me that he would like a little more attention. By 17:40, several of the cattle had got to their feet and started grazing, gradually making their way west. They did their best to keep in the shade, moving through the bracken or grazing beneath the trees.

By 18:10, the first of the cattle arrived at Horse Pond, with most moving into the water to cool their feet while enjoying long, refreshing drinks. Afterwards, they were happy to stand at the water's edge, relaxing and chewing their cud. The trees at the southeastern corner were a popular spot, with several of the group jockeying for position beneath them. Youngster 222 decided to wade out into the centre of the pond to enjoy plenty of lily pads, while youngster 217 was content to wander slowly through the water to keep cool. Gradually, more of the cattle joined the group, stopping for a drink before settling down to rest. By 18:50, when I said my goodbyes, there were nineteen cattle on the southern bank of the pond, with cows 72 and 214 relaxing across on the northern bank. Shortly before I left, youngster 222 emerged from the pond and, although soaking wet, was still keen on more back scratches. Despite the heat, the group were all happy, relaxed, and looking well. They showed no obvious signs of heat stress and were all seen resting, grazing, and drinking normally.

As I was leaving at 18:55, I stopped to check on steers 33, 210, and 219, along with cow 212, who were still grazing in the pasture northeast of the pond, near ///shifts.trail.binders. Cow 212 and youngster 219 were especially friendly, both taking turns to enjoy a little more attention, with youngster 219 rewarding me with plenty of licks. These four were also content, relaxed, and looking well when I said my goodbyes at 19:15.

The cows were all good today.