Tuesday 4th August – All 25 seen – Steer 1640's wound appeared slightly redder today and was attracting large numbers of flies. Steer 270 has lost his left ear tags

Shortly after 16:30 this afternoon, thirteen members of the Caesar's original herd were happily grazing near the covered reservoir. They were well spread out, with steers 20, 217, 220, 222, and 230 grazing in the pasture north of the reservoir, enjoying plenty of fresh grass and leaves from the surrounding bushes. Youngster 222 was especially friendly, enjoying a long neck and back scratch before thanking me with gentle head rubs and licks. Cow 72, along with steers 21, 33, 227, 228, and 271, were grazing further west near the Gelvert fence line, enjoying the vegetation growing around the marshy ground where water gently flowed down the slope. Older steer 21 came over and stood in the bracken to enjoy plenty of scratches. Steers 35 and 270 were grazing further east on the higher ground overlooking the first group. All thirteen were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Sussex steer 1640 was enjoying some alone time, lying down in the bracken west of the reservoir, near ///paints.weds.longingly, about 80 metres north of the water treatment compound. He was relaxing and chewing his cud, enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs as I helped keep the flies away from his eyes. Unfortunately, his wound was still attracting large numbers of flies, although he was happy for me to give it a thorough check. The wound looked slightly redder today, and I suspect the constant attention from the flies may be preventing it from closing and healing properly. I gently covered the wound with thick bracken to help keep the flies away. I sat with him for around fifteen minutes, and apart from the wound, he seemed comfortable and settled. It was, however, a little concerning to find him away from the other Sussex cattle. After saying goodbye, I returned to spend a little more time with the rest of the herd before bidding them farewell at 18:00.

At 18:15, cows 214 and 234 were grazing in the pasture near ///dips.yard.body, while steer 30 and cow 940 grazed in the pasture on the opposite side of the path to the west. The girls were all very friendly, each enjoying a long back scratch before returning to graze. Steer 30 also came over to say hello but seemed happier simply standing close while I helped keep the flies away from his face. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 18:40, the remaining six Sussex cattle, along with youngster 219, were lying down in the bracken near ///expect.darts.merge, about 165 metres north of the previous group. They were all relaxing and chewing their cud but were being plagued by large numbers of flies, although the bracken seemed to provide some protection. They were happy to be approached for their checks, each enjoying plenty of strokes. Cow 211 returned the affection with plenty of licks, while youngster 219 was quick to get up for a long back scratch. Shortly before I left at 19:15, they began to get up and drift off to graze in the evening sunshine. All seven were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

I also noted that youngster 270 has lost his left ear tags.

Apart from steer 1640's injury, the cattle were all good today.