Monday 31st March - All 25 seen - many of the cattle have large numbers of ticks in and around their “armpits” and on their necks

The cattle were on the move when I first caught up with them near Horse Pond at 10:30 this morning, having set off from near the Lookout. They were being quite vocal, making sure the whole herd knew where they were headed. Many of the cattle, including the seven Sussexes, stopped to graze just beyond the trees south of the pond before having a refreshing drink.

By 11:00, most of the cattle had reached the large pasture northeast of the pond, where they spread out and enjoyed the plentiful fresh grass. By 11:30, around half the herd had gathered near ///arose.thud.campsites, where they settled down to rest and chew their cud in the glorious sunshine. The remaining cattle continued to graze for a while before gradually lying down in ones and twos across the pasture. I did notice that cow 940 had a bit of a runny nose today.

Meanwhile, steers 20, 21, 33, 217, 220, and 271 were still hungry and crossed over the path to graze in the pasture to the northwest, enjoying even more grass. By noon, the boys had started to make their way back to the main group. On his way, youngster 220 couldn’t resist a good roll in a large pile of dirt.

I said my goodbyes just after 12:20, leaving the entire herd lying down and resting. Like yesterday, I noticed that many of the cattle had a large number of ticks in and around their “armpits” and on their necks. Despite this, they were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The cows were all good today.

Sunday 30th March - All 25 seen

Nine cattle were grazing near the water tower at 20:10 this morning. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. After a while, they gathered at the grassy islands near ///acid.zooms.rhino, where they began to relax and chew their cud in the sunshine. Cow 214's head injury continues to heal well, with barely a trace now visible. The cattle were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:50, steers 21, 33, 217, and 230 were spread out, grazing among the trees further west near ///glare.direct.imply. Youngster 230 was especially friendly, thoroughly enjoying a long back scratch. All four were happy and healthy.

Even further northwest, the seven Sussexes were grazing near ///verges.sprayer.dive at 11:15. They were happily munching on heather and fresh grass, looking fantastic in the sunshine. However, I did notice they had a large number of ticks in and around their “armpits”. Despite this, they were all content and looking well.

While heading off to look for the final five steers, I passed by the first group again at 11:45. They were now lying down, resting. Most were relaxing and chewing their cud, while a few dozed in the warm sunshine. Yearling 270 was completely sprawled out, lying on his side. Youngster 217 had joined the group, but the other three steers were still grazing.

At 11:55, steers 35 and 227 were standing chewing their cud in the sunshine near ///replaying.drive.roost, to the northeast of James Bond Pond. Youngster 227 enjoyed a long back and neck rub, then wandered off and lay down beside steer 35. Nearby, steers 20, 220, and 271, were grazing in the gorse bushes. Yearling 271 soon came over to greet me. All five were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

The cows were all good today.

Saturday 29th March - All 25 seen

Steers 20, 219, and 222, along with cows 72, 234, and 940, were relaxing in the sunshine on their favourite Sandy Hill corner at 09:10 this morning. Nearby, yearling 270 was happily munching on grass growing among the gorse in the pasture opposite.

Further west along the hill, beyond the pillbox, cow 214 and steer 228 were grazing together. Thankfully, cow 214’s head injury had healed remarkably well, with all traces of blood gone. She was absolutely fine and even stopped to enjoy a long back rub. The pair gradually moved east to join the others on the corner. It never fails to amaze me how quickly the cattle heal!

Even further west, near ///streaks.grad.applies, steers 220, 227, and 1626 were spread out grazing. Steer 1626 was deep in the gorse bushes, while the other two munched on grass. Youngster 227 was especially friendly, thoroughly enjoying a long neck rub. There was no sign of injury on steer 220, and the dried blood from the side of his head and under his eye was completely gone.

At 10:25, steers 30 and 217, along with the six other Sussexes, were grazing in the heather near ///tested.dustbin.bets. After a while, they all settled down to rest and chew their cud. Meanwhile, older steers 21 and 33 had wandered to the lower ground to the west, where they were happily grazing. Yearling 271, who had spent a while in the gorse bushes, eventually came out to graze near ///stub.punchy.page. Nearby, steers 35 and 230 were grazing in the thicket to the east.

By 11:15, steers 230 and 271 had joined the group of eight and were lying down, resting. Older steer 35 continued to graze nearby. The initial group of twelve had wandered along Sandy Hill and were grazing to the west of James Bond Pond.

The cows were all good today.

Friday 28th March - All 25 seen - Cow 214 has a cut on her head near her right ear & steer 220 has some dried blood on the right side of his head

All twenty-five cattle were at the Royal Pavilion end of the site this morning.

At 09:50, cows 72 and 940, along with steer 30, were happily munching on grass near ///grabs.slower.forms. The girls were both very friendly, taking a break to come and say hello. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Steers 217 and 1626, along with cow 1396, were grazing near ///clubs.fool.nest, close to the path by Sunny Hill Road at 10:10. Nearby, steers 35 and 227 were grazing deep in the bramble, while older steer 21 was eating holly leaves under the trees on the opposite side of the path. All six were happy and healthy.

At 10:25, the final group of sixteen were on the patch of grass at the eastern end of the Sandy Bowl. Most were initially grazing, but soon began to settle down to rest and chew their cud in the sunshine. Four of the Sussexes were lying down, looking very relaxed, until youngster 219 came along and moved them on just for fun! The group was very friendly, with most enjoying strokes and back rubs as I made my way around checking them. Cow 211 was especially affectionate, rewarding me with gentle head rubs and licks after a long neck and ear rub.

I noticed that cow 214 had a cut on her head, near her right ear. However, it didn't seem to be causing her any issues, with her up and about, happily munching on grass. She was perfectly fine with me getting close to check it. I also spotted steer 220 with what appeared to be dried blood down the right side of his head and under his eye. He, too, seemed otherwise fine. I shared photos with Sean and the Grazing Team, who weren't overly concerned since the cuts appeared clean. However, they asked that we keep a close eye on the pair to ensure the wounds don't worsen or become infected.

By 11:35, steer 217 and cow 1396 had wandered along and joined the main group. All but Sussex steer 1640 were lying down, resting. Steer 1640 was still grazing among the trees to the east. Just as I was saying my goodbyes, steer 1626 also came wandering along to join them.

Meanwhile, steers 21, 35, and 227 had joined the first group of three cattle and were all lying down, relaxing, and chewing their cud in the sunshine. I spent some extra time with them before saying cheerio at noon.

Except for cow 214 and steer 220, the cows were all good today.