Thursday

I found 9 tucked into the woods down near the sandy area by the Queens Pavilion.  The other 7 eventually showed themselves towards the other end of  the Long Bottom valley, all mooching in the bracken grazing the open areas. 

All seemed fine with both groups.

At least 6 in thick scrub at northern end of Long Bottom and another 8 on more open ground a few hundred yards further south.

Tuesday 20th August.

Thanks to a tip-off from Jo, I found the cattle nice and quickly this morning - all up on the Lookout.

There are now 16 though as one of the British Whites (200181) from Gelvert has made its way onto Caesar's Camp.

All looking good.

Post from SPA Warden Jo: All spotted up at the Lookout.

Fifteen, a far as I could determine, at lower end of Long Bottom and making their way southwards.

Monday 12th August (Late Post)

I had a call out reporting that the fence opposite Pavilion Road had been cut by a biker. This is the same stretch of fence that bikers have been attacking for the last few weeks so it's looking tatty in places but is stock proof again.

I anticipate there being more vandalism over the next few weeks until the end of the holiday period so for now it's best just to patch it up each time. Once things have calmed down we can do a proper repair job.

In the meantime I will speak to MOD personnel about the possibility of putting some cameras out there.

I found the cattle as I was leaving site - they'd been down in the Pegasus hut and were making their way up to the sandy area. All ok and #72 barely limping.

NOTE: the Pegasus hut now has a load of barrier tape around it as there are safety concerns about the roof, please don't try using it for shelter! Landmarc are looking into the repair.

Eventually found them sitting under the trees right down by the concrete road

Sunday am

One group of eight, lying on the grass behind the Pavillion, and a group of seven, grazing in the thick bracken by the Horse Pond. All looked OK.

Visited with Ned and sprayed mentioned hoof of 72. Keep an eye on it hopefully improve.

Got a tip from SPA Jo that some were down Long Bottom track and sure enough!

A lot of flies about!

Steer calf 147 has a cut on his left eye which is attracting the flies, nothing concerning there at this time.

And the mostly black cow 072 was licking between her claws on her front right leg. Turns out she has a bit of a limp and some kind of small wound there. Although she's clearing agitated by the flies on it she's keeping up with rest of gerd and feeding etc.

Have mentioned both to Grazing team. Other than that all ok.

15 counted near horse pond - 12.30pm Monday

Managed to ID some of the fifteen: 020, 023, 030, 033, 159,168,176,177

3 stragglers on middle track near Horses pond, the rest around James Bond pond.

And after a little follow my leader helped by SPA warden Henry shaking a bucket of nuts out the window, we got them down to the small pond down the track from Shell Garage entrance. And in more than enough time for my Meet the Cattle event 😊 All looking well