Monday 29th June - unable to look today

 Apologies for late notice, I have to be in Liphook today waiting for deliveries to my daughter’s new house. They are expected between 07:00 - 19:00. Not very helpful but should get updated arrival times when they are 2 hours away from the house. 

Sunday 28th June - All 25 seen - Cow 211 has a pink patch at the inner corner of her right eye

At 09:30 this morning, steers 30, 210, 217, 220, 222, 228, 230, 270, and 271, along with cow 234, were resting under the shade of the trees west of Horse Pond, closer to the path. Sussex steer 1640 and cows 211 and 212 were relaxing and chewing their cud nearer the water’s edge. Sussex steer 1626 was almost completely hidden in the bracken to the south, and if I hadn’t seen him disappear into it when I first arrived, I would have easily missed him. Although it wasn’t as hot today and there was a gentle breeze, the cattle were still being bothered by flies. They were all very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I made my way around checking on them. Youngster 222 got up shortly after my arrival, eager for a neck rub and an extra-long back scratch. The cattle all appeared much more comfortable today and were happy, relaxed, and in good condition, with no obvious effects from the recent heat.

I noticed that Sussex cow 211 had a pink, slightly irritated patch at the inner corner of her right eye. There was also a line of dark discharge running from the lower corner of her eye down into the lighter patch beneath it. She allowed me to gently clean the area and remained calm throughout. She wasn’t showing any signs of discomfort, and there was no cloudiness visible in the eye itself. The photograph was taken before her eye was cleaned. I have made Chris at HIWWT aware.

At 10:25, steers 33, 197, and 219 were happily grazing in the pasture northeast of the pond. They were all enjoying the fresh grass growing around the bracken. All three paused from grazing to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Youngster 219 was particularly keen for a back scratch while continuing to graze. The boys gradually made their way towards Horse Pond, stopping for a drink before joining the group under the trees ten minutes later. All three were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

By 11:00, the remaining eight cattle were just arriving at the northeast corner of James Bond Pond, having made their way along from near the Lookout. They all stopped for a drink before resting in and around the water’s edge, enjoying the refreshing breeze. They were all happy to be approached and enjoyed plenty of strokes and rubs. After a while, they made their way through the gorse bushes to the north and into the pasture to the west, where they began grazing. They were thoroughly enjoying the long grass, heather, and leaves from the silver birch trees as they made their way west towards the large bund. They regularly paused to wander over for back scratches before returning to graze. I said my goodbyes at 11:45, just as they were moving to the far side of the bund, where it looked likely they were going to settle down and rest. Cows 72, 214, 940, and 1396, along with steers 20, 21, 35, and 227, were all content, relaxed, and looking well.

The cows were all good today.

Saturday 27th June - All 25 seen

At 09:00 this morning, steers 33 and 217, along with cows 214, 234, and 940, were making their way down towards the cow shed from the Royal Pavilion end of the site. They all stopped to say hello and enjoy some strokes before heading over to the stream for a drink. They soon wandered back over for longer back scratches before going into the cow shed to rest.

By 09:20, they had been joined by steers 20, 30, 197, 220, 222, 227, 228, 230, 270, and 271, along with cow 72, who had gradually made their way down in ones and twos. Most took drinks from the stream before coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. The cattle were being bothered by the flies again today, with many having teary eyes and some dark streaks down their faces. Youngsters 228 and 230 were particularly affected, but both spent a good while with me, resting their heads against my legs as they enjoyed neck and shoulder rubs, which helped keep the flies away from their faces. They both appreciated having the flies regularly wiped away, and the teary streaks gently rubbed to help dry them. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, enjoying plenty of neck and back scratches and returning the affection with gentle head rubs.

By 09:50, I had just set off to check the final nine cattle when youngster 219 and the remaining six Sussex cattle appeared at the top of the hill to the northeast of the shed. They all stopped to greet me and have a quick check over before carrying on down to join the others. Older steers 21 and 35 made their way down the track further north, emerging near the cattle grid before wandering along to join the group.

The cattle split their time between standing in the shade of the cow shed, relaxing and chewing their cud, grazing in the pasture to the southeast, or coming over to spend time being fussed over. They were all content, relaxed, and in good condition, showing no obvious effects from the extreme heat over the past few days. They were all seen walking, grazing, and resting normally without any visible issues.

I said my goodbyes at 11:30, leaving steers 21, 33, 35, 219, 222, 227, 230, and 270, along with cow 214, resting under the trees northwest of the cowshed, on the far side of the wooden bridge. Six Sussex cattle and eight of the original herd were relaxing in the cow shed, while steers 20 and 1640 were off grazing in the pasture to the southwest by the fenced-off area near ///basics.jumps.share.

The cattle were all good today.

Friday 26th June - All 25 seen

 Between 05:00 - 07:00

All seen in two areas not too far apart…

///january.surfacing.replied (just west of the Shell Station) 16 members of the original herd

///raven.career.crowds (near/alongside Beacon Hill Road) the Sussex’s 219 and 230

The cattle were being bothered by just about every fly in the area with 211 particularly suffering, she was the only one still laying down making her an easy target. She was constantly rubbing her head into the ground trying to get rid of the flies but to avail. Lots of the others were showing teary marks running down their faces with 228 being the worse.

By the time I was leaving many were seeking shade under the trees.

Apart from the teary eyes and a million flies the cattle were all good this morning.