Monday 25th August - All 25 seen

I carried out an extra check today due to the Bank Holiday and concern for youngster 222.

At 11:40, twelve cattle were seen leaving the woodland near ///hurt.lofts.patio, close to the Sandy Bowl, and heading towards Horse Pond. Most had been resting among the trees, while a few were foraging for acorns. The group consisted of steers 20, 30, 217, 220, 222, 230, 270, and 271, together with cows 72, 214, 234, and 940. Youngster 222 came over to say hello and enjoyed a neck rub before rejoining the group. On reaching the pond, they all stopped to drink and rest. While I was speaking with a couple who were asking about the cattle, the group moved on towards the trees west of the pond. By 12:05, I found they hadn't settled in the shade but had continued further west, where most were foraging for acorns.

I encouraged them to leave the acorns and move into the pasture beyond, where they began grazing. Most were very friendly, coming over for strokes and rubs. Youngster 222 returned several times for attention and appeared to be doing well. His wound looked less inflamed and raw than yesterday, though he was still a little sore. I took updated photos of the injury and shared them with the grazing team. From a distance, I watched him grazing happily among the gorse bushes, eating plenty of grass and heather. He occasionally tossed his head, likely to shake off flies still bothering him despite yesterday’s treatment, and a couple of times appeared to consider scratching his head with his rear hoof but didn’t follow through. By 13:25, he lay down in the shade near ///roost.comb.routs to chew his cud, surrounded by several herd mates. I left soon after, though as I walked away the group got up and moved back up the hill to rejoin the others. Overall, they looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition, aside from youngster 222’s injury.

At 14:10, steers 21, 35, 227, 228, and 1626 were lying in long grass near ///aunts.panics.staging, northeast of the water tower. Steers 21, 35, and 228 were dozing in the warm sunshine, while the other two chewed their cud. All five appeared well, relaxed, and content.

By 14:45, the remaining six Sussex cattle, together with steers 33 and 219, were found near ///shifts.move.desktop, close to the woodland at Beacon Hill Road. They were initially grazing on heather and browsing from nearby bushes, but soon began lying down to rest. Older steer 33 wanted to settle under the shade of the trees, though his collar prevented him from doing so. Encouragingly, only the faintest trace of the white spot in the corner of youngster 219’s left eye was visible today. All eight looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes at 15:25, leaving them resting peacefully.

With the exception of youngster 222, the cows were all good today.