Monday 23rd March - All 25 seen

At 13:55 this afternoon, a mixed group of thirteen cattle, including the seven Sussex cattle, were found in the pasture near ///design.smile.amaze, west of James Bond Pond. Most were lying down in the heather, relaxing and chewing their cud in the sunshine. A few were still grazing but soon settled down to rest. Sussex steer 197 remained grazing on the bank to the north of the main group. Youngster 222 got up shortly after I arrived, keen to say hello and be fussed over, thoroughly enjoying a long neck and back rub. The others were happy to receive strokes as I made my way around checking on them. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well. While moving around the group, I noticed youngster 227 browsing gorse in the distance at the southwest corner of the pond, near ///doubts.glows.nearly. I walked over to check on him; he appeared fine and seemed to be enjoying some time alone. He still stopped for a long neck scratch before returning to the gorse. On my way back, youngster 219 and yearling 270 were grazing along the sides of the main path to the north of the pond. At 14:40, steer 21 was resting in the pasture to the north of the main group, near ///laces.badge.back. Cow 940 was grazing nearby and came straight over to greet me. After enjoying a back scratch, she lay down at my feet. Steer 30 was browsing gorse further north, but soon wandered back to rejoin his herd mates. Steer 20 was also resting nearby, surrounded by gorse bushes. All four were happy and healthy. At 15:05, cow 72 and yearling 271 were grazing contentedly near ///bead.yard.hooked, southeast of the cattle grid into the Gelvert reserve. Both stopped to say hello and enjoy plenty of scratches. Steer 33 was lying down resting, while youngster 228 was browsing gorse behind him and soon came out to greet me, enjoying a good neck rub. Cow 214 was lying in the bracken a little further south, looking very comfortable. All five were happy, relaxed, and in good condition. By 15:45, I returned to the group of four to find steers 219 and 270 had joined them. Youngster 222 had also joined this group too. Yearling 270 was peacefully chewing his cud, while youngster 219 was more interested in neck and back scratches. Both appeared well. As I was leaving the site at 16:45, the seven Sussex cattle were happily grazing on grass and gorse near the pillbox on Sandy Hill, having drifted away from the group they were with earlier. The cattle were all good today.