Saturday 4th April - All 25 seen

A mixed group of twelve cattle were grazing to the north and northeast of the covered reservoir. They were all very friendly, wandering over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. Sussex steer 210 was up at the Lookout, presumably having been left behind when the cattle moved north earlier this morning, and was mooing loudly. He soon wandered down to join the group, frequently mooing as he came. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Steers 21, 30, 33, 35, 217, 227 and 270, along with cows 72 and 940, were spread out grazing further east, gradually making their way along to the Bourley Road car park. After having a drink, they wandered through the woodland, past the cow shed, and up to the bramble at the Royal Pavilion end of the site where they continued to graze.

Steers 20, 220, and 271 were all at the grassy patch in the same area. Youngster 220 was lying down, relaxing and chewing his cud while the other two were initially grazing. Youngster 271 soon came over to say hello and enjoyed lots of attention, especially enjoying a long neck and chin rub. Cows 72 and 940 soon joined them to graze on the lush green grass while the boys continued to browse the bramble.

The cattle were all good today.  Full update and photos to follow later.

 

Friday 3rd April - All 25 seen

 Between 08:30 - 11:00

All have been seen this morning in 4 areas as follows

///ripen.spoons.cheerily (by the gate to Gelvert) all seven Sussex’s as well as 219,035,033,228,227,214,030 and 021

The remaining 10 were a bit more scattered across the site…

///.statement.stereos.budgeted (on the path from Sandy hill towards Horse pond) 940 and 072

///statec.racked.once (east of Horse pond) 234,220,020 and 271

///offer.pavillions.secure (southeast of James Bond pond) 217,270,230 and 222.

All the cattle were good this although a little damp from the drizzle.

Wednesday 1st April - All 25 seen

At 16:20 this afternoon, cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steer 227, were lying down, resting and chewing their cud on the hillside near ///police.myths.issue, north of Horse Pond. Steers 30, 222, 228, and 270 were grazing contentedly to the northeast. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, wandering over and greeting me with gentle head rubs. He thoroughly enjoyed long neck, shoulder, and back rubs. Steers 20, 33, 35, 217, 219, 220, 230, and 271 were enjoying plenty of fresh grass in the pasture to the southeast, near ///exams.duos.spun. They were all friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy strokes as I made my way around checking on them.

Gradually, the boys drifted northwest, eventually joining the group of four steers. The boys all continued to graze together, enjoying more grass as well as some heather and gorse. By the time I said my goodbyes at 17:20, they had begun moving towards the girls and steer 227. All seventeen were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 17:30, older steer 21 and the seven Sussex cattle were grazing near ///vandalism.mule.could, southwest of the covered reservoir. As I made my way to them, they had been grazing very close to the southern edge of the new boundary installed to prevent access to Gelvert via the gate at the water treatment compound. They had moved further southwest by the time I arrived. The Sussex cattle were all friendly, wandering over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Cows 211 and 212 were especially friendly, enjoying neck scratches and thanking me with some licks. Older steer 21 drifted further southwest, crossing the path and grazing near the Gelvert fence line. They were all content, relaxed, and looking well. I said my goodbyes at 18:00, leaving them grazing on the hillside just southeast of where I had first found them.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 31st March - All 25 seen

At 09:30 this morning, most of the cattle were grazing in the eastern pasture of Camp 45, enjoying the lush green grass. A handful were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud. Cows 72 and 940, along with steer 220, were resting in the shade of the trees in the southeast corner, while youngster 217 was resting to their west. Many of the cattle took turns to wander over to greet me and enjoy some strokes and rubs, with youngster 222 being especially affectionate and offering gentle head rubs after a long neck rub.

Over time, more of the cattle lay down to rest and chew their cud, gradually spreading out across the southern half of the pasture. Cows 72 and 940 soon wandered over to say hello, both enjoying some attention. Steers 217 and 220 also wandered over to rest with the main group. The cattle were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Unfortunately, just before 11:00, a couple of dogs ran into the pasture from the Gelvert side of the fence line, causing a number of the cattle to get to their feet. I suspect my shouts for the dog owner to get her dogs under control may also have caused a few more to stand up. Most of the herd moved into the trees by the fence line, with the seven Sussex cattle standing together near the edge of the path. The cattle quickly settled, with a number wandering back out to lie down or graze.

I had just started to say my goodbyes at 11:15 when the team from HIWWT turned up to gather the cows for their hoof trimming, which I was keen to observe, so I stayed to lend a hand.

The cattle all had their hooves trimmed and were fly sprayed. Yearling 271's incorrect left ear tags were replaced. A small number of the cattle had minor cuts and grazes caused by horned herd mates while in the cattle crush, which are expected to heal without any issues.

The cattle were walked back onto Caesar's via the gate to the north of the covered reservoir at 16:00 this afternoon, where they received some treats. 

The cows were all good today.

monday 30th - STAFF POST

Sorry for the late blog!

Yesterday (monday) we rounded all 25 cows up and walked them over to Camp 45 in order to change batteries and recollar the few who managed to escape theirs. Today they will be getting their hooves trimmed and given a flyspray.

We will post again when we move them back to caesar's. 

Thanks!

Sean

Monday 30th March - All 25 seen

 Between 07:45 - 10:00

All seen in 4 areas as follows, 

Sussex 197 was alongside Sandy Hill Road, only managed a quick look as there was no where to park the car. He looked good despite being on his own.

Came back to the Aldershot end of the site where I found Brie and Sarah opposite the Enterprise car rental at ///pink.sheep.bridge, both were quite happy and content.

Walking further along I then found Sussex’s 210,211,212,1640 and 1396. Also here with them was 219. They were near the entrance to the site at the top of Cranmore Lane, ///scared.vocal.beats. They were all happily eating a good selection  of leaves.

The remainder were scattered on the slopes north east of Horse pond. ///surpasses.microchip.packing. The last Sussex 1626 was here although he had become separated from the rest. I tried to coax him into following me back to join the others but he was more content standing in the sunshine.

All the cattle were good this morning.