Saturday 17th May - All 25 seen - Steer 227 was alone and there was a burnt-out car on-site

Steers 228 and 230, along with cows 72, 214, 234 and 940, were grazing in the thicket near ///bead.line.speech, south of the cow shed at 08:50 this morning. Youngster 230 took a break to enjoy a long back rub, while peacefully chewing his cud. While I gave the cow shed a quick check, cow 234 wandered over for some attention. Before long, the group gradually moved into the thicket to the northeast to continue grazing.

At 09:10, youngsters 217, 219, 220 and 222 were resting near ///stars.votes.flags at the Royal Pavilion end of the site. Yearling 270, who had been grazing nearby, soon lay down beside them. Older steers 20, 21, 30 and 33 were happily grazing among the bushes to the southeast, thoroughly enjoying the bramble. All nine were happy, relaxed and looking well. As I was leaving, the earlier group of six had joined up with the resting steers.

At 09:45, steers 35 and 271 were found grazing in the shade near ///dined.care.paints, enjoying the long grass. Both were calm, content, and in good condition.

The seven Sussex cattle were grazing near ///twirls.haunt.weeps on Hungry Hill at 10:05. They were all friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoy some strokes. Cow 1396 was fine today after her off day earlier in the week. By 10:25, the group had made their way down to Horse Pond for a refreshing drink. Cow 211 lingered under the shade of a tree at the pond’s edge, happily receiving a long neck rub and thanking me with gentle head rubs and a few licks. After a while, the group moved off into the thicket to the northeast to continue grazing. All seven were looking good.

Shortly after 11:00, youngster 227 was found alone in the thicket south of James Bond Pond, near ///darts.slack.fairway. He was happily munching on leaves from a large oak tree. He was absolutely fine and enjoyed extra-long neck and back rubs while relaxing and chewing his cud. At 12:05, he followed me out onto the path and along to Sandy Hill, where I hoped he might catch the scent of the Sussex cattle that had been there earlier. However, he was far more interested in grazing than following me any further, so I reluctantly left him shortly before 12:30.

A worrying discovery this afternoon was an overturned, burnt-out car blocking the main path northeast of James Bond Pond, near ///ramble.clef.expires.

The cows were all good today.

UPDATE: I kept an eye on youngster 227 and saw him slowly making his way east along Sandy Hill. By 14:00 he had descended Hungry Hill and rejoined the first members of the main herd, who were grazing towards Horse Pond.