Monday 23rd February - 23 seen

 Between 07:30 - 10:00

23 have been seen this morning in 3 groups. 16 of the original herd plus Sussex 1626 were spread between ///supply.export.likes and ///flops.robots.bikes. This is north of the horse pond towards the main path and up the hill heading towards the lookout. All looked good eating gorse and heather while enjoying a little early morning sunshine. Despite a good search I could not find 021 and 219. I suspect they were deep into the gorse. 

Whilst looking for 021 and 219 I found the 6 Sussex’s at ///nimbly.inherits.assemble which is at the lookout. I could not see any signs of fresh bleeding on either of the 4 mentioned by Gordon so presume that is a good sign.

Sussex Injury Photos

 Just posting the photos of the sussexes injuries from Gordon on Sunday

Sunday 22nd February - All 25 seen - Sussex steers 210 and 1640 have ear injuries, while steer 197 and cow 211 have other minor injuries.

At 08:40 this morning, the eighteen members of the Caesar’s original herd, along with Sussex steer 1626, were well spread out in the woodland east of the cow shed. They were grazing in ones and twos while sheltering from the rain. They were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most enjoying strokes and rubs. When the rain was at its heaviest, many of the cattle sheltered under the trees near ///reward.soft.breed, while a smaller group preferred the area to the south. Youngsters 222 and 230 were especially friendly, both enjoying long neck and back scratches while waiting for the rain to ease. By 10:00, fifteen of the cattle had gathered at the Royal Pavilion end of the site, near ///asleep.feel.stuck. Several began to rest and chew their cud, with many coming over for more strokes, while others continued browsing leaves from the surrounding trees and bushes. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well. At 10:30, cows 214, 234, and 940, along with steer 20, were grazing on heather and gorse on the higher ground further west, near ///elder.pile.hatch. They, too, were very friendly, pausing to say hello and enjoy a few strokes before returning to graze. All four were happy, content, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes around 10:50 and headed off to Gelvert to look for the others. After an unsuccessful search of Gelvert, I returned to Caesar’s and found the six Sussex cattle on the raised ground northwest of James Bond Pond at 12:05. I quickly discovered that not all was well, as several of the cattle had fresh injuries. Steer 210 had a small cut near the top of his left ear that was bleeding, while steer 1640 had a larger cut along the top edge of his left ear, also bleeding. Cow 211 had a couple of scratches on the lower-left side of her neck, and steer 197 had a small gash on his left ear along with scratches on his neck. All six were on heightened alert and, although they were happy for me to approach and thoroughly check them, they were very aware of passers-by and dogs. I have no idea what had happened, but they all seemed fine with each other, showing no signs of tension. Despite the injuries, they otherwise appeared well and did not seem to be in pain or discomfort. Photos of the injuries have been shared with Alice at HIWWT. By 13:05, the sun had come out, and the cattle began grazing together in the pasture, slowly moving towards the pond. They remained alert at first, but gradually relaxed and settled. I stayed with them until shortly after 13:30 when I reluctantly left them grazing peacefully. Apart from the injuries to four of the Sussex cattle, the cows were all good today.

Saturday 21st February - All 25 seen

At 09:15 this morning, sixteen members of the Caesar’s original herd were grazing peacefully in the pasture north of James Bond Pond. Although spread out, they were mainly in two groups—one to the west of the pasture and the other nearer the centre. They were all very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs, before settling to rest and chew their cud.

By 10:25, the two groups had come together near the centre of the pasture and begun lying down to rest. Older steer 30 was still grazing in the gorse to the north, but when I walked over to check on him before leaving, he came out and began to rest as well. All sixteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:45, steers 35, 230, and 1626 were grazing among the heather just off the main path near ///angry.twee.scans. Youngster 230 was especially friendly, enjoying long neck and back scratches while resting and chewing his cud. All three were content and in good condition. I said my goodbyes just after 11:20, leaving them resting peacefully.

By 11:50, the six Sussex cattle were browsing gorse west of the main entrance to Gelvert, near ///goals.tram.fame. One by one, they came over to say hello and happily accepted strokes and rubs. Steer 197 stood on a small grassy mound and thoroughly enjoyed a long neck and chin scratch. Cow 211 was grazing slightly further west near ///spoons.hiked.bronzed, but soon made her way over to greet me and enjoy a long neck rub. All six were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

I said my goodbyes just after 12:35, leaving them lying in the bracken on both sides of the path by the Gelvert entrance. They looked very comfortable, resting and chewing their cud.

The cows were all good today.