Monday 6th June - All 25 seen

 Between 06:30 - 08:45

All seen in 3 locations as follows 

///cure.noting.loans (horse pond area) 230,035,021,228,227,940,030,033,214,234 and 072

///asleep.gifted.hung (at the lookout) 220,217,222,271,270 and 020

///hikes.noodle.clincher (just north of JB pond) 7 Sussex’s and their best friend 219.

By the time I was leaving the 3rd group they were being joined by the 2nd group who had been dipping their feet in the pond. 

All the cattle were good this morning

Sunday 5th July - All 25 seen

At 10:00 this morning, steers 21 and 33, along with cows 72 and 940, were standing at the water’s edge in the northeastern corner of James Bond Pond. Steer 33 wandered over to say hello as soon as he spotted me approaching, while the others continued to rest and chew their cud. They were all happy to be approached for their checks. Steers 30 and 228, along with cows 214 and 234, were relaxing in the bushes to the north. Cow 234 had obviously been rubbing the left side of her face against a dirty tree, leaving her with grey streaks. Gradually, the four that had been by the water wandered into the shade of the bushes, where the group started to lie down and rest. All eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Just along from where the cattle had been standing, it was great to catch up with Jo and Paula from the Thames Basin Heath Partnership. They had their marquee set up and were talking to passers-by about the heathland and the various plants, birds, and wildlife found on the Caesar’s reserve. They were also ensuring that the many dog walkers knew what was expected of them while out with their dogs on the reserve.

At 10:30, steers 35 and 230 were grazing near ///ripen.stereos.adverbs, southeast of the Lookout. Youngster 230 was especially friendly, wandering straight over and greeting me with gentle head rubs. A short time later, youngster 227 emerged from around the gorse bushes and, after saying hello, positioned himself for a long back scratch. Sussex steer 1626 was grazing in the thicket to the northwest, but soon emerged into the bracken, continuing to enjoy plenty of fresh grass. The boys were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:50, steers 20, 217, 220, 222, 270, and 271 were resting under the trees to the southwest of the entrance to the covered reservoir, near ///slick.couches.hexes. Youngster 222 spotted me approaching and quickly got up and came over to enjoy plenty of scratches. All except youngster 220 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud, but would often get up, have a stretch, and then reposition themselves to get comfortable. By the time I left them, the sun had fully emerged from behind the clouds, and it was getting rather hot.

Before heading off to find the final group of cattle, I made my way back to the car to get a hat and a drink, passing by James Bond Pond on the way. Older steer 21 was grazing on the patch of grass right in front of the marquee and was attracting quite a bit of attention, with people keen to take a photo of him. After a while, he moved off to the north to graze in peace. The other seven were all resting under the bushes and looked very comfortable in the shade.

At 11:55, cow 211 was grazing alone on the grass by the path at the western end of the trees by Horse Pond. She soon took a break and came to stand beside me, happy to enjoy a neck rub. Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, along with cows 212 and 1396, were all resting peacefully under the trees. Youngster 219 was also with them and was happy for me to sit down beside him and help keep the flies from his eyes while he relaxed and chewed his cud. By 12:35, the cattle had started to move towards the cooler western end of the trees, where they began lying down beside cow 211. I said my goodbyes about ten minutes later, leaving them all resting peacefully.

The cows were all good today.

Saturday 4th July - All 25 seen

At 09:15 this morning, Sussex steers 197, 210, and 1640, Sussex cows 211, 212, and 1396, along with youngster 219, were relaxing in the sunshine in the pasture north of James Bond Pond, near ///replace.headers.plays. The sun had emerged from behind the clouds, and a refreshing breeze was blowing, making for much more comfortable conditions. There were a few flies around, mainly bothering their eyes, but far fewer than there have been of late. All seven were friendly and came over to say hello, quite content to stand beside me and chew their cud. I did notice that steer 1640 had a bald patch on his left rear flank, but it didn't appear to be causing him any problems. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:20, youngsters 230 and 270 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud in the pasture northeast of Horse Pond, near ///laws.boomed.whiplash. They both looked very comfortable and were happy for me to sit down beside them while they rested. The boys were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 10:40, a group comprising fifteen members of the Caesar’s original herd was gathered around the trees to the west of the Sandy Bowl, near ///blast.wicked.moss. Several were lying in the shade beneath the trees, while others rested in the open just beyond the tree line. Older steers 20 and 21 were resting on the far side of the path to the west. Youngster 222 was quick to get up and come over to greet me, rewarding me with gentle head rubs. The others were all happy to be approached as I checked them over, with several getting to their feet to say hello. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

As I was approaching the larger group, I noticed a single Sussex steer making his way through the woodland to the west. After saying my goodbyes to the larger group, I wandered over to Horse Pond and, at 11:35, found Sussex steer 1626 lying under the trees to the west of the pond. I suspect he had wandered up to the pond for a drink before settling down to rest. Although he was alone, he was happy to be approached and seemed completely content, peacefully relaxing and chewing his cud. I sat with him for about fifteen minutes before leaving him to continue resting peacefully.

The cows were all good today.