Sunday 7th September - All 25 seen - Steer 35 has broken both outer claws on his rear hooves

Unfortunately, my visit to Caesar’s today was interrupted several times by work issues that needed my attention, which meant I was out longer than planned.

At 10:40 this morning, Sussex steers 197 and 1640, along with cows 211, 212, and 1396, were grazing near ///supple.spines.quote on the Gelvert reserve. They were all very friendly, pausing their grazing to come over for strokes. I was really surprised to see cow 211 had wandered all the way down to the bottom of Gelvert on her own since yesterday. She was particularly affectionate, leaning in for long head and neck rubs and rewarding me with cuddles and licks. By the time I left at 11:15, the group had climbed the bank and started making their way up the path towards the covered reservoir. All five looked happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 11:40, I found youngster 230 alone in the woodland near ///stall.leans.inflict, southeast of James Bond Pond. He was enjoying a back scratch when we heard mooing to the east, so we set off together to investigate. A little further on, we found youngster 227 wandering near ///wins.gift.strapping. He stopped and waited for us before continuing east towards Horse Pond. By 11:55, we had reached the trees west of the pond, where more distant mooing caught our attention. Soon after, youngsters 210 and 219 appeared from the northwest.

After a short rest and some foraging for acorns, Sussex steer 210 set off west along the path towards ///bound.pill.reset, pausing to moo loudly every so often as if searching for someone. Steers 219 and 230 followed, while 227 headed off east on his own. After another brief stop, they headed uphill towards James Bond Pond, then continued west, pausing to drink from puddles near ///strikers.guises.lake. Again, steer 210 was very vocal as they looped around into the pasture northwest of the pond. With no other cows showing on the tracker, I decided to leave them at 12:50, hoping he would soon settle.

At 13:10, I found steers 30 and 270 with cow 940 grazing in the pasture near ///unless.tribe.verbs at the eastern end of the site. Nearby, steer 20 was lying in the bracken, relaxing and chewing his cud. All four were content, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 13:20, a mixed group of twelve cattle, including Sussex steer 1626, was resting on one of the grassy islands at the Sandy Bowl. Youngster 227 had joined them, while cow 214 was grazing in the gorse bushes just outside the boundary to the northeast. They were all very friendly, with many getting up to greet me. Youngster 222 and yearling 271 were especially affectionate, leaning in for endless neck and back rubs. All twelve were relaxed, content, and looking well.

As I prepared to head towards the Lookout searching for cow 234, a loud moo rang out at 13:55, and she appeared from the woodland to the west. Shortly afterwards, steer 270 and cow 940 also joined the group. After spending some time with her herd mates, and after saying hello to me, cow 234 wandered off to graze on the grass to the east, outside the boundary. I said my goodbyes at 14:20.

I also noted that older steer 35 has now broken the ends of both outer claws on his rear hooves—the first photo shows the left hoof, and the second the right.

The cows were all good today. I’m really hoping steer 210 has since settled and reunited with his fellow Sussexes.

Saturday 6th September - All 25 seen

At 09:35 this morning, cows 211 and 234 were making the most of having no collars, happily grazing on the lush grass of Sandy Hill near ///across.navy.messy. Cow 211 was especially friendly, leaning in for a long neck rub and thanking me with gentle head rubs. At the bottom of the hill to the northeast, steers 30, 33, 227, and 228, along with cow 72, were also grazing contentedly. Before long, the boys began foraging for acorns. All seven were relaxed, happy, and in good condition.

By 10:10, steers 220, 270, and 271, together with cows 214 and 940, were grazing near ///store.dome.sniff, southwest of James Bond Pond. They had wandered down the path from the pond a short time earlier and were enjoying grass, heather, and leaves from the nearby bushes. All five were content, relaxed, and looking well.

At 10:40, as I was made my way towards Gelvert, I met Sussex steer 1626 on the path near ///muscular.foster.munch, just past the reserve's main entrance. He stopped for a head rub before continuing east on his own, having chosen not to follow the group he’d been grazing with earlier.

By 11:00, I found steers 210 and 219 grazing in the thicket near ///dreading.wool.jugs. Youngster 219 was particularly friendly, emerging from the bushes and crossing a swampy patch to greet me, before enjoying an extended back rub in the warm sunshine. Afterwards, he got back to grazing in the tall grass. At 11:40, Sussex steers 197 and 1640, along with cows 212 and 1396, were grazing in the dense bracken about 150 metres to the northwest. Thankfully, they all poked their heads through the bushes so I could check them. Cow 212 was standing in a very swampy spot, so I couldn’t get close enough for a full check, but all six appeared happy and healthy.

By noon, steers 20, 35, 217, and 230 were grazing and foraging for acorns in the woodland east of James Bond Pond near ///exists.mime.cookie. The damaged section of steer 35's left rear hoof has now broken away, and he was walking much more comfortably today. All four were relaxed and in good condition, though they were bothered by flies.

At 12:40, youngster 222 was grazing near ///lend.fetching.clever, west of the Lookout. Older steer 21 was nearby, browsing leaves from the trees to the east. He soon came over for a long neck and chin rub, followed by a satisfying back scratch. He was very affectionate, leaning in for cuddles and showering me with licks. By 12:55, the pair had set off southwest, stopping occasionally to graze or enjoy a few more strokes. I said my goodbyes about fifteen minutes later as they neared the woodland northeast of James Bond Pond. 

At 13:45, I was driving past Gelvert and stopped for a quick extra check on the group of six. They were lying beneath the trees near the larger fishing lake, resting peacefully and chewing their cud. Cow 212 was perfectly fine and happily enjoyed a back scratch while lying down.

The cows were all good today.

Holiday Dates

 Just to let you know I will be unavailable for looker duties on the following dates

15th and 19th September (holiday in Swanage)

3rd, 6th, 10th and 13th October (holiday in Fuerteventura)

Friday 5th September - All 25 seen

 Between 06:00 - 08:15

All have been seen this morning in two groups, the first were at ///edits.tower.shady which is at the lookout, all were well and enjoying the early morning sunshine, 222 was as friendly as ever enjoying a good 10 minute back and head rub.

The Sussex’s were in the vicinity of ///stocked.awakening.squashes Whilst I could see them I’m afraid I couldn’t get close to them due to the gorse and boggy ground. However they all looked well, grazing on the grass etc. If, when I am out walking this afternoon and see the Sussex’s I will update the blog.

All the cattle looked good and content this morning

Thursday 4th September - All 25 seen

3 Groups today 13:15 first group ///shares.mats.rocks on Hungry Hill lying down in the field it’s warm and stopped raining the sun’s out. 8 including 1940 Brie💙she’s with 4 BW 2 SH and 1 BW. 

271 SH Idaho flies are bothering. 270 SH Idris snoozing. 72 BW Sarah no collar is here. All look peaceful so moving on.

13:32 ///genius.ecologist.pass group of 10 including 2 collarless 214 & 234 BW, 7 SH and 1 BW which is heading butting the Collarless BW, looks somewhat playful. I think 222 SH was also heading butting but has sat down now, maybe how he hurt his head last time.  All looks peaceful will move on 

It’s 14:00 ///profiled.rental.champions near the look out, Group of 7 Susses Reds

210 SUS Franco is bellowing looking for the others ///meanders.instant.pythons by James Bond Pond Oh no 212 SUS Finch is munching fallen acorns by herself in the woodland ///corrode.caressed.meal, the other two who were looking for her have gone back in the direction of the look out.

14:34 ///styled.simulations.fattest near the Look Out, 5 SUS including collarless steer eating acorns. I can still hear 210 calling out

14:43 212 SUS Finch has moved on 

///drooling.screen.outcasts Film crew have left a big water bottle and bin by the side of the James Bond Pond 

14:49 ///frown.finishing.stressed 212 SUS Finch eating acorns again with 210 SUS Franco, so they’re back together I’ll be leaving now.