Tuesday 19th May - All 25 seen - Steer 230 has a teary right eye

At 16:55 this afternoon, eleven members of the Caesar’s original herd were spread out grazing to the north and east of the covered reservoir. They were all enjoying plenty of fresh grass, with older steer 35 having wandered into the bushes by the path to browse on gorse. Cows 234 and 940, along with steers 20, 30, 33, 35, 217, 220, 222, 270, and 271, were all very friendly as I made my way around checking on them, with most enjoying some strokes. Youngster 222 was especially affectionate, wandering over to say hello as soon as he spotted me and greeting me with gentle head rubs. He soon leaned in for an extra-long neck and back scratch. As I was saying my goodbyes, the cattle began gathering on the grassy slope near ///contour.drill.salary. All eleven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:45, five of the Sussex cattle, along with youngster 219, were grazing in the pasture north of the James Bond Pond near ///reverted.lump.active. Cow 1396 was lying down to the southwest, resting and chewing her cud in a brief spell of sunshine. Youngster 219 soon wandered across a boggy patch to say hello and enjoy plenty of scratches. As I was leaving, cow 211 went and lay down beside cow 1396, but not before coming over for a neck rub and offering plenty of licks in return. Steer 210 had wandered off by himself and was grazing on the hillside in the pasture to the north near ///bolts.cello.safe. All eight were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

The final five cattle had been moving down towards the eastern end of the site, but after leaving the Sussex cattle at 18:25, I noticed they had turned around and were now grazing on the hillside under the Lookout, near the fenced-off area. I returned to where I'd seen the first group, only to find them further east near ///nurture.twit.listed. Most were relaxing in the sunshine and chewing their cud, while a few continued to graze.

At 18:40, cows 72 and 214, along with steers 21, 227, and 230, were grazing on the hillside near ///curly.drawn.awoken. Youngster 228 wandered down the path to say hello and enjoy some strokes before carrying on to meet up with his herd mates. The others continued to graze on the hillside, gradually moving west. By 19:05, youngster 230 had made it to ///booth.broth.throw. He was very friendly, stopping his grazing to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs. I noticed he had a teary right eye, which he preferred to keep closed while he stood being fussed over. He allowed me to check it, and there were no obvious signs of injury or cloudiness. After spending a good while with him, the other cattle had spread out to the east and north of the covered reservoir again. I said my goodbyes at 19:40, leaving them all peacefully grazing.

The cows were all good today, but we should definitely monitor youngster 230's right eye.