Sunday 8th February - 24 seen - steers 30, 219, 227 and 1626 have injuries

I will expand on this blog later, but after returning to a group of eleven cattle on the western end of Sandy Hill, I immediately noticed that youngster 227 had a cut on his left ear which was bleeding. Checking the others in the group, youngster 219 also had a cut on his left ear, which was also bleeding. Sussex steer 1626 had a cut on the left side of his head beside his horn which was also bleeding, and older steer 30 had a sizeable wound on his right ear. It looks like there had been a skirmish at some point, with them all receiving injuries. I immediately called Sam at HIWWT and made her aware and shared photos of the injuries. Sam came to the site to apply antibiotic spray on steer 30 and 219's ears. Prior to Sam arriving, steers 219 and 227 and then 30 and 219 looked like they were going to continue the shenanigans, with me moving them away from each other on both occasions.

Five of the Sussex cattle were found in Gelvert happily munching on grass along the side of one of the paths. A good while later, despite searching the Shell garage end of the site earlier in the day, another five cattle also moved into Gelvert as well. I'm not convinced they'll actually stay there with cow 940 following me out when I left.

Before leaving site, I checked on the group again, who were now on the slope to the south of James Bond Pond, and they were all calm. Youngster 219 was wisely standing a little away from the others. Really hope the boys settle down and their injuries heal quickly.

Despite a very long search, I was unable to find steer 35 today.

Will tidy this up later. I will not be posting photos of the injuries.

Saturday 7th February - All 25 seen

A lovely start to my visit this morning, with youngster 219 emerging from the thicket to greet me at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. With him were the six Sussex cattle, along with steers 21, 222, 227, and 228, and cow 214. To say I was surprised would be an understatement! It was great to see that cow 212 had found her way out of Camp 45 and that the group had made their way back onto Caesar’s Camp. Although they were all soaking wet, they were very friendly and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs.

By 10:45, a group of twelve cattle had gathered on Sandy Hill near their favourite corner. Most were browsing gorse, while cows 72, 234, and 940 preferred to relax and chew their cud. Youngster 230 and yearlings 270 and 271 were foraging for acorns beyond the gorse bushes on the edge of the slope. It was also great to see Sussex 1626 back with the group and looking so well. He soon came over to say hello and enjoy a head rub.

I returned to the first group around 12:30 and was delighted to find that steer 35 had come out of hiding and was now grazing with the others. I spent another half hour with them before saying my goodbyes just after 13:05, as another heavy shower passed through.

A full update and photos will follow later.

Friday 6th February - Steer 219 and the six Sussex cattle seen - Cow 212 is in Camp 45

At 17:05 this evening, while driving along Bourley Road, I saw several Sussex cattle grazing near the Gelvert fence line, northwest of the fisherman’s entrance at ///pebble.livid.bulges. I stopped to check on them.

Youngster 219 and five Sussex cattle were alternating between browsing leaves in the thicket and foraging for acorns. They were all very friendly, coming over one by one to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. Youngster 219 especially enjoyed a long neck and back scratch. Although they were damp from earlier rain, they didn’t seem bothered. I did notice that several of the Sussex cattle had more bald patches than when I last saw them at the weekend. The photo below shows the left side of steer 210’s back.

I searched the surrounding area for cow 212 but couldn’t find her at first. After heading to the north-western corner near the stream, I heard a soft moo and spotted her on the Camp 45 side of the fence. I walked around to check on her and found her absolutely fine. She thoroughly enjoyed a long neck and back rub. Despite the light fading quickly, I walked the Camp 45/Gelvert fence line to look for any gaps or damage but didn't find anything significant. I continued on to the main entrance by the cattle grid and found some hoof prints in the mud, so she had clearly been there earlier. I left the gate open so she can get out if she wanders back over. HIWWT has been informed.

I then rejoined cow 212, who was resting by the stream, and stayed with her until 17:50, by which time it was fully dark. A couple of the Sussex cattle had also gathered on the Gelvert side of the stream.

It was lovely to see all seven cattle again after nearly a week. They were all relaxed, content, and looking healthy. I'll check on cow 212 again in the morning during my usual Saturday visit.

Friday 6th February - 18 seen

  Between 08:30 - 11:15

18 have been seen in two group this morning, the first group of 12 found were around ///taps.hears.likes in the woods between the two main paths leading away from the sandy bowl. This group included the reinstated 1626. He was busy foraging for acorns and looked well apart from a couple of bald patches. The rest were all feeding on acorns and various leaves.

The second group of 6 were near the lookout at ///enhancement.soap.copy. The ever friendly 222 was with this group who were all eating the gorse. 

I covered quite a lot of ground this morning with no sign of 219 and 6 Sussex’s so can only presume they are near the beacon hill road or in Gelverts.

Despite being soaking wet the cattle found were all good this morning.

Thursday 5th Febuary - 1262 steer back on site

Hi All, 

I dropped 1626 off at the bottom of sunny corner, with the only collars I could see. Turned out to be two shetlands, as I was leaving the site on to Beacon Hill road, I came across a sussex steer with one shetland friend, they followed me to the cattle grid.

Unfortunately i didnt have time to look for the MIA cattle in gelvert as i needed to get back for a meeting.

Thanks so much for keeping an eye on them. 

Grazing Team 

Wednesday 4th February - 17 seen

What a difference 24 hours makes. It was a lovely, sunny day, and the cattle were dry, in good spirits, and looking well. Youngster 217 still had a wet head from browsing damp gorse, but soon lay down to rest and dry out.

At 11:10, steers 21, 30, 33, 217, 220, 222, and 230 were browsing gorse near ///liner.truck.guides. They were all friendly, pausing their grazing to say hello as I checked on them, with most enjoying some strokes. Youngster 222 came over as soon as he spotted me and enjoyed a long neck and back scratch. He was lovely and soft after the previous day’s rain and returned the affection with gentle head rubs. Youngster 230 was equally happy to stand in the sunshine and be fussed over. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 11:40, steer 20 and cow 940 were relaxing and chewing their cud in the sunshine among the heather near ///loom.smirking.bills, while older steer 35 grazed nearby in the gorse. Around 45 metres further southeast, youngster 228 was sitting in the sunshine, peacefully chewing his cud. He was more than happy to be approached for plenty of scratches. On the opposite side of the path, youngster 227 was browsing gorse, but soon came over to say hello and enjoy a long back rub before lying down to rest.

At 12:10, cow 234 was grazing in the gorse by the path at the eastern end of Sandy Hill. Nearby, cows 72 and 214, together with yearlings 270 and 271, were grazing enthusiastically among the heather on the slope, gradually making their way down towards Horse Pond. Cow 234 soon joined them. They were all very friendly and enjoyed plenty of attention. All five were happy, content, and in good condition.

When I returned to the earlier group at 12:40, steers 20 and 35 and cow 940 were lying down close to where I had seen them before. Youngsters 227 and 228 were still resting in the same spot, enjoying the sunshine. Youngster 228 soon got up for a relaxing back scratch before lying back down again at 13:00. I said my goodbyes shortly afterwards.

There was still no sign of youngster 219 or the six Sussex cattle today. I suspect they were over on Gelvert, but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to cross over and look for them.

The cows that were found were all good today.