Wednesday 5th August - All 25 seen

Thanks, once again, to Ned for going out and checking on steer 1640 and spraying his wound with antibiotics. There was still a good coating of blue spray on it when I saw him late this afternoon, with very few flies trying to get into it. He was up and about, happily grazing with the other cattle in the sunshine. The rest of the herd also had significantly fewer flies around them and seemed much more comfortable after being sprayed at lunchtime. Unfortunately, it meant there were no strokes or scratches for the herd today, despite lots of puzzled looks, gentle nudges, and plenty of head rubs as they tried to persuade me otherwise.

At 16:30 this afternoon, steer 210 and cows 211 and 1396 were resting under the trees west of Horse Pond. They were all relaxing and chewing their cud in the cooler conditions. Steer 197 and cow 212 were sitting just outside the wooded area, still enjoying the shade and the refreshing breeze. Cow 211 soon got up to say hello, but was happy simply to stand close while continuing to chew her cud. All five were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 16:50, a mixed group of fourteen cattle was well spread out, grazing in a large half-circle to the north and northeast of Horse Pond. They were enjoying plenty of fresh grass and leaves from the trees and bushes as I made my way around checking on them. By 17:10, steers 21, 30, 217, 219, and 1640, along with cows 72, 214, and 940, had moved onto the slope of the valley north of the pond, near ///bump.warp.hogs, to graze on the grass growing at the base of the bracken. They were all thoroughly enjoying their grazing, with a nice breeze keeping them cool. By 17:30, several had gathered on the northern bank of Horse Pond for a drink before settling down to rest. Youngsters 219 and 222 soon wandered into the pond to graze on the lily pads, while youngster 230 preferred to stand in the water for a while before joining them. As I was leaving to check on the next group, steer 20 and cow 234 were relaxing on the hillside north of the pond.

At 18:05, steers 35, 220, and 271 were resting under the trees beside the main gate into the covered reservoir. Older steer 35 came over to say hello, while the youngsters relaxed and chewed their cud. Youngster 228 was happily grazing among the tall grass in the swampy area to the southeast. He soon waded through the mud to greet me. All four boys were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Shortly after 18:20, Sussex steer 1626 was grazing on the hillside among the bracken below the Lookout, near ///either.inserting.nesting. Although alone, he appeared perfectly content. He paused his grazing and came to stand beside me for a while. As I made my way back towards the main group, he followed me for a short distance before returning to his grazing.

Finally, at 18:35, I returned to Horse Pond and found most of the cattle, including the five Sussex cattle from the first group, gathered on the bank at the northeast corner, resting and chewing their cud together. Youngster 227, who I had missed earlier, was standing under the trees west of the pond but wandered over to greet me as I approached. He was happy to stand beside me, quietly chewing his cud. Around 18:55, I said my goodbyes as the six Sussex cattle and steer 219 wandered off up the path to the north, while the remaining thirteen headed to the pasture to the northeast for another graze.

The cattle were all good today.

1640 assessed

We have been out to look at 1640s wound. It's possibly slightly infected but not serious. We have for now just sprayed it with some antibiotics. All cows have also been treated for fly. 

Thanks

Grazing team

Tuesday 4th August – All 25 seen – Steer 1640's wound appeared slightly redder today and was attracting large numbers of flies. Steer 270 has lost his left ear tags

Shortly after 16:30 this afternoon, thirteen members of the Caesar's original herd were happily grazing near the covered reservoir. They were well spread out, with steers 20, 217, 220, 222, and 230 grazing in the pasture north of the reservoir, enjoying plenty of fresh grass and leaves from the surrounding bushes. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, enjoying a long neck and back scratch before thanking me with gentle head rubs and licks. Cow 72, along with steers 21, 33, 227, 228, and 271, were grazing further west near the Gelvert fence line, enjoying the vegetation growing around the marshy ground where water gently flowed down the slope. Older steer 21 came over and stood in the bracken to enjoy plenty of scratches. Steers 35 and 270 were grazing further east on the higher ground overlooking the first group. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Sussex steer 1640 was enjoying some alone time, lying down in the bracken west of the reservoir, near ///paints.weds.longingly, about 80 metres north of the water treatment compound. He was relaxing and chewing his cud, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I helped keep the flies away from his eyes. Unfortunately, his wound was still attracting large numbers of flies, although he was happy for me to give it a thorough check. The wound looked slightly redder today, and I suspect the constant attention from the flies may be preventing it from closing and healing properly. I gently covered the wound with thick bracken to help keep the flies away. I sat with him for around fifteen minutes, and apart from the wound, he seemed comfortable and settled. It was, however, a little concerning to find him away from the other Sussex cattle. After saying goodbye, I returned to spend a little more time with the rest of the herd before bidding them farewell at 18:00.

At 18:15, cows 214 and 234 were grazing in the pasture near ///dips.yard.body, while steer 30 and cow 940 grazed in the pasture on the opposite side of the path to the west. The girls were all very friendly, each enjoying a long back scratch before returning to graze. Steer 30 also came over to say hello but seemed happier simply standing close while I helped keep the flies away from his face. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 18:40, the remaining six Sussex cattle, along with youngster 219, were lying down in the bracken near ///expect.darts.merge, about 165 metres north of the previous group. They were all relaxing and chewing their cud but were being plagued by large numbers of flies, although the bracken seemed to provide some protection. They were happy to be approached for their checks, each enjoying plenty of strokes. Cow 211 returned the affection with plenty of licks, while youngster 219 was quick to get up for a long back scratch. Shortly before I left at 19:15, they began to get up and drift off to graze in the evening sunshine. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

I also noted that youngster 270 has lost his left ear tags.

Apart from steer 1640's injury, the cattle were all good today.

Monday 3rd August - All 25 seen (5 from a distance)

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

All 25 seen but the following I could not get close too 020,072,220,035 and 271.

///gossiping.sheets.torn 1640 and 1626. The cut on the side of 1640 still seems quite red and covered in flies. I spent about 10 minutes with him, he was constantly licking it and attempting to get rid of the flies with his tail. Picture attached.

///firms.fruitcake.state 230 and 227

///fund.point.reply 021,228,222,033,217 and 270

///stunt.brink.regaining the other 5 Sussex’s and their best friend 219

///item.daunted.sweeten 940,030,214 and 234

Apart from 1640 the other 19 I managed to see were all happy and eating a fair amount in the early morning sunshine. 222 and 228 were particularly friendly enjoying having their backs rubbed.

Sunday 2nd August - All 25 seen - Steer 1640's wound appeared slightly redder today and was attracting large numbers of flies

Shortly before 09:00 this morning, youngster 219 and the seven Sussex cattle were resting beneath the trees near the Bourley Road car park. Steer 1640 was initially lying down, but soon got up to say hello and enjoy some strokes before settling back down in the open. His healing cut looked slightly redder today, and the warm weather meant that plenty of flies were gathering around it. After giving it a quick check, I laid some bracken over the area to help keep the flies off for a while. I also made Ned at HIWWT aware of the injury and shared some additional photos. The other six were equally friendly, taking turns to say hello before enjoying long back scratches. By 09:35, they were all lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud.

By 09:50, I was wandering along the path beside the Bourley Road fence line when cow 234 stepped out of the thicket and came over to say hello near ///linen.poetry.chest. Cows 72 and 940, along with steer 271, soon followed, each stopping to greet me before setting off east along the path. Steers 20, 30, and 220 continued grazing in the thicket to the south, but they were all happy and looking well. At 10:15, youngster 230 was grazing alone among the bracken beside the western fence line near ///poets.king.grapes and didn't appear to be in any rush to catch up with the others. He happily paused his grazing to enjoy a long back scratch before wandering through the bracken to the path by the cattle grid into Gelvert and disappearing into the thicket. Curious to see where he was heading, I followed, only to find him enjoying a long drink from a large pool of water near the fence line. Afterwards, he set off to catch up with the others, who were now almost with the first group of eight.

As I made my way to the final group of cattle, I noticed that the gate by the water treatment compound near ///behalf.fury.wiggly had been left open. The gate wouldn't sit properly in its catch, so I secured it using a used bike tyre inner tube.

At 10:35, the remaining nine cattle were spread out beneath the trees east of James Bond Pond. Cow 214, along with steers 21, 33, 35, 217, 222, 227, 228, and 270, were all resting comfortably in the shade. They were happy to be approached for their checks, with most enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs while resting. Youngster 222 was especially affectionate, offering gentle head rubs and licks after a particularly satisfying neck rub. The others were content for me to sit nearby, helping to keep the flies away from their faces for a while. All nine were happy, relaxed, and looking well. I said my goodbyes at 11:20, leaving them resting peacefully.

As I was leaving at 11:35, cows 72, 234, and 940 were resting in the cow shed, along with youngster 271. Steers 20, 30, and 220 had joined the seven Sussex cattle and youngster 219 beneath the trees by the car park. Cow 212 and youngster 230 both thoroughly enjoyed long back scratches before I said my final goodbyes at 12:10.

The cattle were all good today.