Wednesday 10th June - All 25 seen

At 16:55 this afternoon, cow 940 was grazing in the boggy ground on the hillside northwest of the covered reservoir near ///drill.sometimes.stiff. Even with mud up to her knees, she seemed perfectly content, making the most of the long grass and browsing leaves from the surrounding bushes. A heavy rain shower had just passed through, and steers 21, 30, and 33 were still sheltering beneath the trees along the Gelvert fence line. Cow 72 was hidden deep among the tall bracken, but soon wandered over to say hello. She was rather wet and appeared to appreciate having the rainwater brushed from her back before settling in for a long, relaxing neck rub.

Steers 20 and 227 had been sheltering beneath the trees by the gate to the water treatment compound, but once the sunshine returned they wandered down into the valley to the north to graze. Gradually, the cattle drifted together on the hillside east of the reservoir, where it was much easier to check them properly. Most paused for a few extra scratches as they grazed. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:45, cows 212, 214, and 234, along with steers 217, 270, and 271, had started making their way down the hillside path west of the Lookout, near ///beaks.grad.litigate. Steer 1626 was a little slower to join them, still grazing in the thicket in the pasture to the south. Earlier, all seven had been sheltering together beneath the trees at the Lookout during the rain. They all stopped to say hello and enjoy a few strokes before continuing on their way, heading down into the pasture to the west to graze. It looked as though they were making their way towards the group by the reservoir. All seven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 18:10, steer 219 and the other five Sussex cattle were spread out grazing in the pasture southeast of the main entrance to the Gelvert Reserve. Youngster 219 wandered over to greet me near ///light.weary.lucky, quickly leaning in for a relaxing neck and back scratch. The others gradually drifted over to the same area, each stopping to say hello and enjoy a few strokes before moving off to browse among the bushes on the eastern side of the track. I said my goodbyes at 18:40, leaving them settled and content as they continued grazing.

At 19:00, the final five steers were grazing northwest of the Sandy Bowl. Youngster 220 was beneath the trees near ///firm.duke.open, while older steer 35 and youngsters 222, 228, and 230 were grazing together about 100 metres further south. After a short while, all five moved into the thicket at the Royal Pavilion end of the site to continue grazing. The boys were all very friendly, with youngsters 222, 228, and 230 particularly enjoying back rubs as they nibbled fresh grass and browsed leaves from the bushes. I said my goodbyes at 19:45, leaving them peacefully grazing.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 9th June - All 25 seen

At 17:05 this afternoon, steer 35 and Sussex cattle 197, 210, 212, and 1396 were resting in the sunshine on a patch of grass southwest of James Bond Pond, near ///actors.cobbled.crossings. Youngster 230 was lying beside a large puddle on the path just to the north, while cow 211 was enjoying a little time to herself on a patch of grass 25 metres further north. They were all friendly, pausing to enjoy a few strokes and rubs as I checked on them. Cow 211 was especially friendly, leaning in for a long neck and shoulder rub and returning the affection with gentle head rubs and licks. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 17:30, cows 214 and 234, along with steers 21, 217, 219, 220, 271, 1626, and 1640, were spread out across the pasture west of James Bond Pond, near ///bidder.steam.vocal. Most were relaxing and chewing their cud, while a couple were dozing in the sunshine. Youngster 219 soon got up and wandered over for a long back scratch, shuffling backwards and forwards to make sure I reached all the itchy spots. All nine were happy to be approached and enjoyed some attention while I checked on them. They were relaxed, healthy, and in good condition.

At 18:10, youngster 270 was resting at the side of the path in the pasture northwest of James Bond Pond, near ///recorders.path.voter. A little further north, close to the Gelvert fence line, steers 20, 30, 33, 227, and 228 were grazing peacefully. The boys were gradually making their way back towards youngster 270, with steer 20 the first to settle down beside him. Youngsters 227 and 228 paused their grazing to come over for long neck and back scratches. The boys were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Finally, at 18:50, cows 72 and 940, along with youngster 222, were in the pasture about 150 metres southeast of the main entrance to the Gelvert Reserve, near ///space.should.wins. The girls were happily grazing, while youngster 222 was lying down and chewing his cud as I approached. He soon got to his feet and wandered over to greet me, eager for the first of many neck scratches. The girls each took turns coming over to say hello, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs before returning to the fresh grass and silver birch leaves. Youngster 222, however, seemed far more interested in being fussed over, thoroughly enjoying an unhurried shoulder and back scratch and thanking me with the sweetest head rubs on several occasions. I said my goodbyes shortly before 19:30, leaving all three grazing contentedly.

The cows were all good today.

9th June staff check all ok

Holiday dates

 I am on holiday next week so will be unable to do looker duties on Monday 15th and Friday 19th June

Monday 8th June - All 25 seen - 234’s left eye still pink in the corner

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

All have been seen this morning, all were on all sides of the horse pond with 222 in the water. His tracker was at times completely submerged so I wouldn’t be surprised if it stops working soon. 

234’s left eye is still pink although she didn’t seem bothered by it. 

By the time I left this morning it had started to rain, a lot of the cattle had started to move under the trees at the west side of the pond.

All the cattle were good this morning.