Sunday 5th October - All 25 seen - very concerned that steer 230 may have eaten too many acorns

At 09:55 this morning, a mixed group of fifteen cattle were lying down, relaxing, and chewing their cud near ///kidney.technical.loves, southwest of James Bond Pond. Most were resting on the grassy island enjoying the sunshine, while steers 21, 217, and 220 lay in the heather across the path to the east. Cows 72 and 940 were resting further behind them, on the far side of the gorse bushes. Youngster 230 stood in a large puddle, drinking frequently, while youngster 228 and yearling 270 foraged for acorns to the north. After a while, all three joined the main group to rest. Older steers 20, 30, and 33, who had been grazing in the nearby thicket, also came over to lie down with the others.

The cattle were content and happy to be checked, with most enjoying strokes and rubs as I moved among them. Youngster 227 got up for a long neck and back rub, while cow 212 stretched out fully for a relaxing side rub. All twenty-one cattle appeared happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

At 10:45, cows 211, 214, and 234 appeared, wandering in from the direction of Sandy Hill. Cow 211 came straight over to say hello and thoroughly enjoyed a neck and chin rub, responding with gentle head rubs and plenty of licks. The other two joined the main group, standing nearby to rest and chew their cud. All three were relaxed, healthy, and well.

Around 11:00, the cattle began to rise and drift west in ones and twos. Shortly after, a member of the public stopped me to express concern about Sussex steer 1626, saying that he had been foaming at the mouth and limping. I quickly found him in the thicket near ///hang.gums.purse, where he appeared fine—happily grazing on gorse and even some mushrooms. He seemed a little hesitant to put full weight on his rear left hoof, but once on grass he walked normally. I stayed with him for around thirty minutes and checked on him several times later; he showed no further signs of discomfort or distress.

Youngster 230, however, appeared unwell—likely from eating too many acorns. Initially, he seemed fine, though he was drinking a lot of water from puddles. He was calm and friendly, enjoying a long back rub before lying down with the others. Later, however, he was standing alone, facing the bushes and staring blankly. Soon after, he had diarrhoea and again wandered off on his own after drinking more water. Around 12:30, he lay down under the trees near ///ignore.usual.tastier. I sat with him for about twenty minutes. He didn’t appear to be in pain, but he clearly wasn't his usual self. I informed Zoe at HIWWT around noon, and she confirmed they would check on him tomorrow morning. Steer 1626 later lay down about ten metres away and will hopefully keep him company.

As I was leaving, I found cows 214, 234, and 940 again, now resting and chewing their cud near ///vital.shiny.debut. Steers 21 and 227 were nearby, while youngsters 217 and 220 grazed on the higher ground to the east. Cow 214 came over for a back scratch before I said my goodbyes just after 13:00.

With the exception of youngster 230, the cows were all good today. I'm hoping he makes a speedy recovery.

Saturday 4th October - All 25 seen

At 09:00 this morning, steers 217, 219, 220, 222, 228, and 271, along with cows 214 and 940, were resting near ///hobby.petty.wakes, in the woodland south of the Sandy Bowl. They were all very friendly, coming over to say hello and enjoying plenty of strokes and rubs. Though a little windswept, all eight were happy, relaxed, and looking well. Around 09:30, I spotted Sussex steer 1640 grazing in the pasture to the southwest and went to check on him. After greeting me, he wandered further south to the thicket by the path near ///calls.hoot.lions, where Sussex cows 212 and 1396, together with steer 1626, were foraging for acorns. Older steer 20 was nearby, grazing among the gorse bushes. All five appeared happy and healthy. By 09:55, I found cow 72 relaxing in the sunshine on one of the grassy islands at the Sandy Bowl. Youngsters 220, 222, and 228, along with yearling 271, were further east, trying to find a way across to join cows 214 and 234 who were grazing outside the boundary. Cow 72 thoroughly enjoyed a long back rub while we watched the others. After a while, I went over to check on cow 234, who was happily grazing in the sunshine. At 10:55, I found the remaining ten cattle near ///index.plodding.ducks, about 320 metres northwest of Horse Pond. Steers 30, 33, 35, 230, and 270 were contentedly grazing, while the other five were lying down, resting and sheltered from the worst of the wind. After a few minutes, cow 940 joined them — I hadn’t realised she had been following behind me. After greeting everyone, she lay down to rest. Cow 211 was especially friendly, enjoying a long neck and shoulder rub as she relaxed. After a while, the cattle got up and moved into the woodland to graze. Older steer 35 paused for a satisfying scratch against a fallen tree trunk. After about ten minutes, they wandered back into the open and began to graze among the dense bracken to the east. I spent some peaceful time with them before saying my goodbyes around 12:15. As I was leaving at 12:25, the first group of fifteen had gathered near ///known.dunes.index. Most were lying down and chewing their cud. About ten minutes later, a heavy shower passed through, prompting them to wander north to the trees by the path for shelter. Once the rain eased at 12:40, steers 21, 30, 33, and 35 arrived to join them as they slowly grazed east back towards the Sandy Bowl. I didn’t see any fallen trees or fence damage during my visit, despite the continuing strong winds from Storm Amy. The cows were all good today.

Thursday 2nd October - All 25 seen

 13:06 up on Sandy Hill estate 2 Whites no collar grazing along the grass verge Guinevere Gangsta and a SUS also no collar 211 grazing fallen acorns ///hypocrite.broth.rocked

13:24 ///kebabs.mingles.captive near water tower sitting down group of  6 includes 4 SUS one no collar and 2 SH 217 222 all look calm some dozing. Tracker shows 6 so there’s one I can’t see. Uh oh a helicopter but they stayed calm that’s good . 219 BW has appeared he’s walking and grazing looking happy and gosh he’s so handsome never seen him this close he’s sat down now with the group all look well here ///cute.parsnip.keep

13:47 3 from Sandy Hill no collars are now near PBPond ///neon.reverses.crank grazing the thickets looking peaceful here

14:14 ///stun.fidgeting.paraded by himself SUS 1396 with collar he’s grazing just come out of bushes wonder what he’s doing on his own, taking a photo then he rushed at me told him to stop, he’s wondered off.  He’s staying hidden in trees now by JBPond ///trying.ombudsman.jetted I’ve been observing he’s eating acorns doesn’t look injured and hasn’t come out from the trees so I’ll leave there 

14:37 I can see Brie grazing coming up from the the dome covered reservoir, I can’t get to her. She’s with a SUS and they seem to be making their way slowly up to the lookout. She looks ok grazing and climbing the bank 

14:49 ///coverings.sway.improvise I can see them now they have short climb then they are out on to the lookout approach path

15:18 this group is sat down chewing their cud all very peaceful on the heathland ///adjusted.argue.microfilm trackers  show 8 east of horse pond . There are 5 SH 1 White with collar 2 BW with collar and BW Sarah no collar, so that’s 9 in the group very calm and comfortable 

15:39 found BW and a SH grazing acorns ///often.arena.curve near the Aldershot end of track 

15:57 ///boxer.salon.stands deep in the trees at the Aldershot end by himself a SH not sure what he’s foraging here I can’t get close enough it could be Buzz

Wednesday 1st October - All 25 seen

At 16:30 this afternoon, I met youngster 230 wandering along the path on the east side of Horse Pond. He came straight over for a long neck rub, then walked northeast with me until we reached steers 21, 30, 33, and 270, who were grazing near ///army.fuzzy.trucks at the eastern end of the site. Nearby, steers 20, 220, 227, 228, and 271, along with cows 214 and 234, were foraging for acorns about 270 metres further north near ///foal.begun.union. All twelve were happy, relaxed, and in good condition.

By 17:20, Sussex cows 211 and 212, with steers 210 and 1640, were foraging for acorns under the trees near ///frown.purely.await, southeast of James Bond Pond. They were very friendly, coming over for plenty of strokes. Cow 211 was especially affectionate, enjoying a neck rub and responding with gentle head rubs and licks. Older steer 35 was grazing about 100 metres to the northwest in the thicket, but soon emerged to give himself a good scratch against a tree branch. All five looked happy, relaxed, and well.

At 17:45, I was surprised to find youngster 222 grazing alone along the path near ///decorator.reset.shares, opposite the main entrance to the Gelvert Reserve. He was his usual affectionate self, greeting me with cuddles before enjoying neck, chin, and back rubs—wriggling about to make sure I reached all his itchy spots. At 18:05, Sussex steer 1626 came wandering along the path from the west, mooing as he approached. His head was covered in dust, which flew everywhere when I stroked him. I was delighted that youngster 222 now had some company, and said goodbye to them both soon after.

By 18:15 youngsters 217 and 219 were grazing near ///busy.noun.bibs, south of the smaller fishing lake on the Gelvert Reserve. Both were happy, relaxed, and in good condition. As I was leaving, steer 219 followed me towards the lake and called out a couple of times. I was fairly sure no other cattle were nearby, so I bid them farewell.

Finally, at 18:40, I found the last four cattle back on Caesar's, foraging for acorns under the trees near ///look.rails.tumblers, south of Bourley Road. Cows 72, 940, and 1396, together with steer 197, were all very friendly, pausing their search to come over for strokes. They were content, relaxed, and in good condition. I said my goodbyes shortly before 19:00 as it was getting dark.

The cows were all good today.