Sunday 5th October - All 25 seen - very concerned that steer 230 may have eaten too many acorns

At 09:55 this morning, a mixed group of fifteen cattle were lying down, relaxing, and chewing their cud near ///kidney.technical.loves, southwest of James Bond Pond. Most were resting on the grassy island enjoying the sunshine, while steers 21, 217, and 220 lay in the heather across the path to the east. Cows 72 and 940 were resting further behind them, on the far side of the gorse bushes. Youngster 230 stood in a large puddle, drinking frequently, while youngster 228 and yearling 270 foraged for acorns to the north. After a while, all three joined the main group to rest. Older steers 20, 30, and 33, who had been grazing in the nearby thicket, also came over to lie down with the others.

The cattle were content and happy to be checked, with most enjoying strokes and rubs as I moved among them. Youngster 227 got up for a long neck and back rub, while cow 212 stretched out fully for a relaxing side rub. All twenty-one cattle appeared happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 10:45, cows 211, 214, and 234 appeared, wandering in from the direction of Sandy Hill. Cow 211 came straight over to say hello and thoroughly enjoyed a neck and chin rub, responding with gentle head rubs and plenty of licks. The other two joined the main group, standing nearby to rest and chew their cud. All three were relaxed, healthy, and well.

Around 11:00, the cattle began to rise and drift west in ones and twos. Shortly after, a member of the public stopped me to express concern about Sussex steer 1626, saying that he had been foaming at the mouth and limping. I quickly found him in the thicket near ///hang.gums.purse, where he appeared fine—happily grazing on gorse and even some mushrooms. He seemed a little hesitant to put full weight on his rear left hoof, but once on grass he walked normally. I stayed with him for around thirty minutes and checked on him several times later; he showed no further signs of discomfort or distress.

Youngster 230, however, appeared unwell—likely from eating too many acorns. Initially, he seemed fine, though he was drinking a lot of water from puddles. He was calm and friendly, enjoying a long back rub before lying down with the others. Later, however, he was standing alone, facing the bushes and staring blankly. Soon after, he had diarrhoea and again wandered off on his own after drinking more water. Around 12:30, he lay down under the trees near ///ignore.usual.tastier. I sat with him for about twenty minutes. He didn’t appear to be in pain, but he clearly wasn't his usual self. I informed Zoe at HIWWT around noon, and she confirmed they would check on him tomorrow morning. Steer 1626 later lay down about ten metres away and will hopefully keep him company.

As I was leaving, I found cows 214, 234, and 940 again, now resting and chewing their cud near ///vital.shiny.debut. Steers 21 and 227 were nearby, while youngsters 217 and 220 grazed on the higher ground to the east. Cow 214 came over for a back scratch before I said my goodbyes just after 13:00.

With the exception of youngster 230, the cows were all good today. I'm hoping he makes a speedy recovery.