Wednesday 7th August - All 25 seen - Cows 211 and 214 had a skirmish and both had minor injuries

Steers 20 and 220 plus cows 214 and 234 were standing in the trees, relaxing and chewing their cud around ///oils.harp.dime at 16:10. Cow 214 came over to say hello and enjoyed a back scratch. Sussex steers 210 and 1640 plus cows 211 and 212 were grazing along the side of the path around ///watch.props.rear. They were all looking well.

At 16:30, I heard some noise and looked up to see Sussex cow 211 and British White cow 214 rubbing their heads together. They had a skirmish that started on one side of the path and ended on the other, with them pushing each other while continuing to butt heads. I was able to separate them and moved them away from each other to calm down. Cow 214 had some blood on her nose, which she allowed me to wipe. Cow 211 had a cut above her right eye. Again, she let me wipe it. They were both okay and were totally calm and friendly with me. I watched them for a while before going to check on the others. To be honest, I was shocked that those two were involved. Both are normally incredibly calm, relaxed and friendly. I have never seen either of them act that way before. I did notify Jack at HIWWT, just in case there was anything else I should do.

The commotion brought Sussex steer 197 and cow 1396 out of the thicket and out onto the path. Steers 21, 30, 219, 227, 230 and 270 plus cow 72 were all grazing in the thicket to the west of the path. They were all enjoying lots of grass and leaves from the bramble bushes. Cow 940 plus steers 228 and 271 were lying down, relaxing and chewing their cud around ///seat.duty.panels at 16:50. Steer 1626 was grazing nearby. They were all happy and looking well. The final four, steers 33, 35, 217 and 222, were found down near the cow shed at 17:15. They were standing and chewing their cud. They were all good. The boys soon set off through the thicket to reach the trees, where the first four cows were found. They joined cow 72 who was already relaxing in there.

I went back and checked on cows 211 and 214 several times, including watching them from a distance, and they were fine. Cow 214 ended up lying beside some of the steers on the west side of the path. She had no more blood on her nose. Cow 211 grazed for a while on the east side of the path before lying down beside the other five Sussexes and steer 21. I said goodbye to them at 18:00.

The cows were mostly good today. I'm hoping Fox's eye heals quickly. And I'm really hoping this was a one-time thing between Fox and Guinevere.