Saturday 11th July - All 25 seen

The cattle were seen in three groups today – the seven Sussex cattle, plus steers 21 and 219, near the water tower; cows 72, 214, 234, and 940, along with steers 20 and 271, under the trees to the east of James Bond Pond; and the remaining ten steers under the trees to the east of Horse Pond.  

All were very friendly, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I checked on them. Despite the slightly cooler weather and a refreshing breeze, there were still a lot of flies about.  The group by Horse Pond were worst affected, with a few teary faces where flies were irritating their eyes and causing them to water.

Overall, the cattle were in good spirits – happy, relaxed, and looking well.  They appear to be coping well with this long hot spell.

Friday 10th June - All 25 seen

 Between 05:30 - 07:30

All seen in two slightly scattered groups as follows

///operation.impulsive.edge (north west of JB pond) the 7 Sussex’s, their best friend 219 and 021,020,072 and 940.

///ecologist.stripped.stay (north east of JB pond) the remaining 13. 

All were good this morning with a lot coming over for some back rubs especially 234.

By the time I left the first group were heading towards Beacon Hill Road and second group were moving in the direction of JB pond.

Wednesday 8th July - All 25 seen

Shortly before 18:00 this evening, all twenty-five cattle were scattered around the covered reservoir, grazing in small groups around its perimeter. Despite the heat, they were all grazing contentedly, doing their best to keep in the shade, with many using the bracken or tall grass for shelter from the sun. A few had tear streaks on their faces where the flies had clearly been bothering them earlier in the day.

The cattle were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most pausing to greet me and enjoy a few strokes and rubs. Despite the warm sunshine, many were happy to stand for long neck and back scratches before returning to their grazing. Youngster 219, Sussex cows 211, 212, and 1396, along with steers 210 and 1640, gradually made their way up to the pasture southeast of the reservoir, making light work of the remaining swampy areas. Youngsters 219 and 222 were especially friendly, both enjoying lots of attention and returning the affection with plenty of gentle licks.

By 19:30, most of the remaining cattle were grazing on the hillside north of the reservoir, near ///behave.dull.grins. Older steers 21 and 33, along with youngster 230, were grazing in the swampy area northwest of the reservoir, close to the Gelvert fence line. Despite the hot weather, they were all happy, relaxed, and looking well. They showed no signs of discomfort and were all seen grazing and resting normally, with several stopping for a drink from the swampy areas around the reservoir. I said my goodbyes a short time later, leaving them all calm and peaceful.

The cows were all good today.

Tuesday 7th July - All 25 seen

At 17:00 this afternoon, all twenty-five cattle were together, although spread out across the pasture about 450 metres southwest of the trees at the western end of the Sandy Bowl. It was very warm, and they were all lying in the shade, either chewing their cud or snoozing. Cows 211, 214, and 234, along with steers 35, 210, 217, 220, 228, 270, 271, and 1640, were resting under the trees near ///films.voice.magic, while the remainder were lying either in the bracken or beneath trees further west. Steers 20, 21, 30, and 230 were completely hidden beneath the bracken, helping to shield them from the sun and the many flies bothering the herd's eyes. It was quite the job finding the boys, but they were all happy to be checked.

As I moved around the herd, many of the cattle got up to greet me, keen to enjoy plenty of neck and back scratches. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, greeting me with gentle head rubs. He also accompanied me while I checked on some of the others, occasionally reminding me that he would like a little more attention. By 17:40, several of the cattle had got to their feet and started grazing, gradually making their way west. They did their best to keep in the shade, moving through the bracken or grazing beneath the trees.

By 18:10, the first of the cattle arrived at Horse Pond, with most moving into the water to cool their feet while enjoying long, refreshing drinks. Afterwards, they were happy to stand at the water's edge, relaxing and chewing their cud. The trees at the southeastern corner were a popular spot, with several of the group jockeying for position beneath them. Youngster 222 decided to wade out into the centre of the pond to enjoy plenty of lily pads, while youngster 217 was content to wander slowly through the water to keep cool. Gradually, more of the cattle joined the group, stopping for a drink before settling down to rest. By 18:50, when I said my goodbyes, there were nineteen cattle on the southern bank of the pond, with cows 72 and 214 relaxing across on the northern bank. Shortly before I left, youngster 222 emerged from the pond and, although soaking wet, was still keen on more back scratches. Despite the heat, the group were all happy, relaxed, and looking well. They showed no obvious signs of heat stress and were all seen resting, grazing, and drinking normally.

As I was leaving at 18:55, I stopped to check on steers 33, 210, and 219, along with cow 212, who were still grazing in the pasture northeast of the pond, near ///shifts.trail.binders. Cow 212 and youngster 219 were especially friendly, both taking turns to enjoy a little more attention, with youngster 219 rewarding me with plenty of licks. These four were also content, relaxed, and looking well when I said my goodbyes at 19:15.

The cows were all good today.

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