Saturday 9th August - All 25 seen

At 09:20 this morning, youngster 230 was grazing near ///visit.birds.shin, at the eastern end of the site. He was very friendly, coming over for a long back rub before returning to his breakfast. In the pasture to the north, steers 20, 30, 220, 270, and 271, along with cow 940, were enjoying the long grass and browsing leaves from nearby trees and bushes. All seven were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 10:00, cows 214 and 234, along with steers 21 and 33, were lying down and chewing their cud near ///prefer.query.thorax, southwest of the Lookout. Sussex cow 212 was grazing nearby. Although there were being pestered by countless flies, they remained calm and were looking well. As I set off to find the next group, cow 212 began following me, so I slowed down and walked with her to the new boundary at James Bond Pond. Despite receiving several warnings and becoming a little agitated, she was determined to reach her friends on the far side, eventually breaking into a run to cross through. Around ten minutes later, the other four followed, even stopping for a drink at the pond.

At 10:30, cow 212 received a warm welcome from the group of five Sussexes resting by the side of James Bond Pond. Older steer 35 and cow 72 were soaking their feet in the water, while youngsters 222 and 227 stood on the bank, chewing their cud. Both youngsters were very friendly, taking turns to greet me and enjoy plenty of strokes.

By 10:50, the group gathered by the pond had climbed into the pasture to the north, joining the remaining four steers who were grazing there. The combined group slowly worked their way northwest, and by 11:05 had started to settle in the shade among the heather near ///bunch.rash.geek. Several came over for strokes or simply stood close to me for relief from the flies. By noon, when I said my goodbyes, sixteen cattle were lying down and chewing their cud, while steers 21 and 35 continued grazing in the gorse bushes.

When I first arrived this morning, I checked the cow shed and found a gunny sack, metal pegs, and large plastic cable ties left behind by the army. I removed all these items from the site.

The cows were all good today.