Tuesday 3rd March - All 25 seen

At 15:30 this afternoon, Sussex steers 197 and 210, along with cows 211 and 212, were grazing on the lush grass near the cattle grid at Beacon Hill Road. Each paused to greet me and enjoy a few strokes before returning to grazing. Youngster 219, who had been grazing nearby, wandered over for a long, relaxing neck and back scratch while chewing his cud. All five were happy, content, and looking well.

At 15:50, Sussex steer 1640 was resting near ///mugs.daredevil.sticks, about 250 metres further southeast. Cow 1396 and steer 1626 were grazing in the gorse behind him. All three appeared happy and in good condition.

A short while later, youngster 222 came up the path from the east to greet me and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. He was especially affectionate, offering gentle head rubs while having his neck scratched. Before long, youngster 228 joined us and was just as friendly. Eleven other members of Caesar’s original herd were spread out nearby, grazing on gorse, heather, and plenty of grass. Youngster 230 was resting and chewing his cud a little further south near ///officer.loom.project, still within sight of the others.

By 16:30, yearlings 270 and 271 were grazing in the setting sun north of the water tower, near ///lanes.upwardly.apes. Yearling 271 was, as usual, particularly friendly. Youngster 227 was resting under the trees on the opposite side of the path, while older steer 35 was grazing further west. It was noticeable that some of the cattle had begun lightly shedding their winter coats, particularly youngster 227, whose white hair was clearly visible on my black fleece after a back scratch.

I returned to the second group at 17:05 to find that the Sussex cattle and youngster 219 had joined them. The herd remained spread out and grazing, with several moving into the area near ///dolphins.outs.licks to browse heather. Some also stopped to drink from the large pool of water to the north. I said my goodbyes shortly before 17:30, leaving them peacefully grazing or resting.

The cows were all good today.