Thursday 28th - FURTHER STAFF UPDATE

Sussex 210 has been returned, after the grazing team managed to dislodge some of the food in the lumps. Hopefully the rest of the material works its way free on its own.

Cheers,

Sean

Thursday 28th - STAFF UPDATE

Today we came to site and removed sussex 210. He had a lump in his cheek and under his chin. Likely just compacted food trapped (as has happened previously with a number of cows), but have taken him to the farm so we can attempt to manipulate it free.

Cheers,

Sean

Wednesday 27th May - All 25 seen

At 17:40 this afternoon, steers 21 and 219, along with cows 212, 214, and 234, were happily grazing under the shade of the trees near ///drawn.mistaken.transit, north of the water tower. They were all friendly, taking a break from eating to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Youngster 219 was keen for a back scratch while he continued to browse leaves from the bushes. Shortly after 18:00, steers 197 and 210, along with cows 211 and 1396, were grazing further west near ///plank.disco.mild. They, too, were friendly and happy to enjoy some attention. Steers 1626 and 1640 were grazing together about 130 metres to the northeast. The wound on steer 1640's left hip looked less raw and sore this evening and appeared to be healing nicely. He was still a little stiff and continued to place his rear left foot carefully, but he was walking more comfortably than last night, which was lovely to see. He soon wandered over to spend some time with me, happily accepting strokes and neck scratches. It was also reassuring to see him staying close to the other Sussex cattle, who gradually drifted over to graze nearby. Finally, at 18:35, older steer 35 was grazing alone near ///notion.clasping.raced. He seemed completely content enjoying some time to himself, gradually grazing west towards the others. I stayed with him for ten minutes while he continued eating before saying goodbye and leaving him to his dinner. At 19:00, the remaining thirteen members of the Caesar's original herd were spread out in the pasture northeast of Horse Pond. Cow 940, along with steers 217, 222, 227, and 230, were lying down resting and chewing their cud near ///exams.duos.spun, while the others — cow 72 and steers 20, 30, 33, 220, 228, 270, and 271 — were grazing to the southwest. Youngster 222 soon got up and wandered over to say hello, enjoying a long neck scratch before giving me some wonderfully affectionate head rubs. Despite the refreshing breeze, there were still plenty of flies about. After around fifteen minutes, all but steer 227 got up and began grazing in the cooler evening air. Several of the cattle crossed the path into the pasture to the northwest, enjoying the grass growing around the bracken. Cow 72 especially enjoyed a long neck rub before lying down to rest. Cow 940, along with steers 20, 228, and 270, made their way to Horse Pond for a drink before returning to graze with the group north of the pond. By 19:40, youngsters 217 and 230 were still grazing close to where they had been resting earlier, while youngster 227 continued to relax and chew his cud in the evening sunshine. I wandered down to spend a little more time with them, with youngster 230 delighted to receive more strokes and rubs. I said my goodbyes at 20:00, leaving all thirteen content, relaxed, and in good condition. The cows were all good today. Steer 1640 seemed brighter and more comfortable than yesterday, though it’s still worth keeping a careful eye on him.

Tuesday 26th May - All 25 seen - Sussex steer 1640 has a wound on his left rear hip and is struggling to bend his left rear leg

At 18:45 this evening, cows 72 and 940, along with steers 20, 30, 33, 217, 220, 228, 230, 270, and 271, were gathered on the grassy bank at the northeast corner of Horse Pond. They were resting and chewing their cud, with a gentle breeze keeping them cool while the gorse bushes shaded them from the sun. Youngsters 270 and 271 were standing in the pond, while youngster 222 was further along the eastern edge, happily wading through the water and eating leaves from the bushes. He soon made his way over when he spotted me, clearly keen for some neck and back scratches. Youngster 227 was grazing alone in the pasture to the north, but soon wandered over to say hello before crossing the path to graze in the cooler shade to the east.

The injury to youngster 220's head looked much less red and sore today and didn’t seem to be bothering him at all, which was lovely to see. The other cattle were all content, relaxed, and looking well, with none appearing affected by today's intense heat. By 19:10, they had wandered off to graze in the pasture to the northeast near ///blame.bloom.switch. I said my goodbyes, leaving them grazing contentedly or resting peacefully.

Shortly before 19:30, I came across Sussex steer 1640 grazing alone near ///part.timed.vanished, well west of the Lookout. He was happily nibbling at the gorse but paused as I approached, leaning in for some gentle strokes. While spending time with him, I noticed an open wound on his left rear hip. It wasn’t bleeding, but looked quite raw and sore. When he began to walk, it was clear he was struggling to bend his rear left leg and was placing his foot cautiously. He let me check his leg, and there was no obvious injury to the leg or hoof, so it seemed more likely to be muscular. He carried on grazing among the gorse bushes, slowly moving onto the softer grass. I’ve let Alice at HIWWT know and passed along photos and videos for reference.

The remaining six Sussex cattle, along with steers 35 and 219, were spread out across the pasture below where I'd found Sussex steer 1640, near ///oasis.grudge.messy. I suspect that, with his sore leg, he didn’t want to attempt joining them. They were all happily grazing, gradually moving west in the cooler evening conditions. They were very friendly, each coming over to say hello and sparing me from wading through the swampiest patches. Steer 21, along with cows 214 and 234, were grazing further east, almost beneath the Lookout, looking absolutely gorgeous in the setting sun. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 20:20, I returned to spend more time with steer 1640 and found him grazing near ///huddling.jump.witless. He seemed pleased for the company and enjoyed more strokes while continuing to graze. Other than his injuries, he seemed calm and relaxed. I had been concerned he might spend the evening alone, but was relieved to see the other Sussexes, along with steers 35 and 219, had climbed to the higher ground and were gathered near ///crows.pram.stitching, about 170 metres away. I wandered over to spend time with them and found steer 210 and cow 211 lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud, while the others grazed nearby.

As I was leaving at 21:00, steer 21 and cows 214 and 234 appeared on the higher ground, having climbed the stone path from below. They soon stepped forward and gathered around me to rest. After a short while, I walked them over to where steer 1640 was grazing, and they seemed content to stay with him. Hopefully, they’ll keep him company overnight.

With the exception of steer 1640, the cows were all good today.

Monday 25th May - All 25 seen

 Between 06:00 - 08:30

All seen in 3 locations this morning as follows….

///closer.ships.ozone (east of horse pond) 217,035,220,020,230,234,1640,214,033 and 030. 220’s mark on his head was quite red but no sign of bleeding. I have attached a photo.

///fantastic.exists.oval (sandy bowl) 222,072 and 940

///ribcage.indoors.topic (lookout) 271,279,219,021,228,227 and the other 6 Sussex’s.

All the cattle were good this morning, most of the ones at the lookout were laying down chewing their cud.