Saturday 8th August - All 25 seen

Shortly after 09:15 this morning, cow 212 was grazing in the gorse bushes along the edge of Sandy Hill. She soon came out to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. Five other Sussex cattle and youngster 271 were happily grazing on the slope below. Steer 1640 was in good spirits today, wandering over to say hello and enjoy a long back scratch. His wound was looking better today, having really pulled together nicely as it continued to heal. I spent a good while with him as he happily divided his time between grazing and returning for more attention. Cow 211 was especially friendly today, offering plenty of head rubs and licks after a satisfying neck and shoulder scratch. After I said my goodbyes, steer 1640 and youngster 271 settled down in the bracken to rest and chew their cud, while the others continued to graze. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:20, youngsters 222 and 230 were resting under the shade of the bushes at the northeast corner of James Bond Pond. Youngster 222 immediately got up and came over for an extra-long neck and back scratch. He was loving every second, moving forward and back to ensure I reached all his itchy spots. Youngster 230 also enjoyed plenty of strokes while he rested and chewed his cud. In the pasture to the west, steers 21, 30, 33, 227, 228, and 1626 were all happily grazing in the sunshine. The boys were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them. After a short while, youngsters 222 and 230 came out to join us. All eight were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

Finally, at 11:30, the remaining ten cattle were in the pasture northeast of Horse Pond. They had all been grazing leisurely in the area under the Lookout since I first arrived, but had recently wandered down, continuing to graze. They gradually made their way south, with cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20, 217, 219, 220, and 270, gathering in the shade of the large tree near the path. Older steer 35 had the tree to the west all to himself. They were all friendly, happy to accept strokes and rubs as I went around checking on them. Cows 214, 234, and steer 219 all enjoyed long back scratches while chewing their cud. As I said my goodbyes at 12:30, cows 72 and 940 were standing head to tail under the trees, with everyone else lying down, relaxing in the shade of the tree or among the surrounding bracken. A nice breeze was keeping them all cool. All ten were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The cattle were all good today.

Friday 7th August - All 25 seen - Fire on Caesers Camp

 There was a small fire yesterday afternoon which has been extinguished by the fire brigade so is now safe. Its location is ///trial.turns.spent which is on the top path at the junction leading down to the Cranmore Lane gate. The area is just inside the NoFence area. It’s a shame the fire brigade couldn’t remove all the red/white tape and the many bottles of water! Photo attached.

Between 06:00 - 08:30

///thing.become.moss 228,227,1626,230,030,021 and 072

///shut.notes.wipe all the rest including the 6 Sussex’s 

The wound on 1640 looked a lot better than on Monday. It was also nice to see them all with virtually no flies on their faces. 

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.