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.

Monday 6th June - All 25 seen

 Between 06:30 - 08:45

All seen in 3 locations as follows 

///cure.noting.loans (horse pond area) 230,035,021,228,227,940,030,033,214,234 and 072

///asleep.gifted.hung (at the lookout) 220,217,222,271,270 and 020

///hikes.noodle.clincher (just north of JB pond) 7 Sussex’s and their best friend 219.

By the time I was leaving the 3rd group they were being joined by the 2nd group who had been dipping their feet in the pond. 

All the cattle were good this morning

Sunday 5th July - All 25 seen

At 10:00 this morning, steers 21 and 33, along with cows 72 and 940, were standing at the water’s edge in the northeastern corner of James Bond Pond. Steer 33 wandered over to say hello as soon as he spotted me approaching, while the others continued to rest and chew their cud. They were all happy to be approached for their checks. Steers 30 and 228, along with cows 214 and 234, were relaxing in the bushes to the north. Cow 234 had obviously been rubbing the left side of her face against a dirty tree, leaving her with grey streaks. Gradually, the four that had been by the water wandered into the shade of the bushes, where the group started to lie down and rest. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Just along from where the cattle had been standing, it was great to catch up with Jo and Paula from the Thames Basin Heath Partnership. They had their marquee set up and were talking to passers-by about the heathland and the various plants, birds, and wildlife found on the Caesar’s reserve. They were also ensuring that the many dog walkers knew what was expected of them while out with their dogs on the reserve.

At 10:30, steers 35 and 230 were grazing near ///ripen.stereos.adverbs, southeast of the Lookout. Youngster 230 was especially friendly, wandering straight over and greeting me with gentle head rubs. A short time later, youngster 227 emerged from around the gorse bushes and, after saying hello, positioned himself for a long back scratch. Sussex steer 1626 was grazing in the thicket to the northwest, but soon emerged into the bracken, continuing to enjoy plenty of fresh grass. The boys were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:50, steers 20, 217, 220, 222, 270, and 271 were resting under the trees to the southwest of the entrance to the covered reservoir, near ///slick.couches.hexes. Youngster 222 spotted me approaching and quickly got up and came over to enjoy plenty of scratches. All except youngster 220 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud, but would often get up, have a stretch, and then reposition themselves to get comfortable. By the time I left them, the sun had fully emerged from behind the clouds, and it was getting rather hot.

Before heading off to find the final group of cattle, I made my way back to the car to get a hat and a drink, passing by James Bond Pond on the way. Older steer 21 was grazing on the patch of grass right in front of the marquee and was attracting quite a bit of attention, with people keen to take a photo of him. After a while, he moved off to the north to graze in peace. The other seven were all resting under the bushes and looked very comfortable in the shade.

At 11:55, cow 211 was grazing alone on the grass by the path at the western end of the trees by Horse Pond. She soon took a break and came to stand beside me, happy to enjoy a neck rub. Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, along with cows 212 and 1396, were all resting peacefully under the trees. Youngster 219 was also with them and was happy for me to sit down beside him and help keep the flies from his eyes while he relaxed and chewed his cud. By 12:35, the cattle had started to move towards the cooler western end of the trees, where they began lying down beside cow 211. I said my goodbyes about ten minutes later, leaving them all resting peacefully.

The cows were all good today.