Sunday 27th September - All 4 seen

At 15:50 this afternoon, the cattle were resting at the side of the pond, relaxing and chewing their cud. As I approached, steer 200 and cow 201 got to their feet and came over to say hello, both enjoying a few strokes. Steers 207 and 208 soon followed, coming over to greet me too. Steer 200's walking still wasn't perfect today, but it was much better than when I last saw him. Judging by his muddy feet, he's certainly not having any trouble getting down to the pond for a drink! Hopefully, he's well on the mend now.

After our initial greetings, the cattle soon gathered around me to relax and chew their cud. Steers 200 and 208 took turns stepping forward to enjoy long back scratches. Steer 207 was clearly curious and soon stepped forward too. He was initially a bit unsure, but soon started to relax and enjoy it until steer 200 gave him a little dunt with his head, sending him wandering off. Cow 201 was content to just stand close and chew her cud. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Around 16:25, it started to lightly rain, but the cattle weren't the slightest bit bothered and continued to stand around me, relaxing and chewing their cud. Steers 200 and 208 were both happy to have the rain brushed off their coats before I said my goodbyes at 16:45, leaving all four peacefully resting.

There was still plenty of drinking water in the pond, with the level looking similar to last weekend. Before leaving, I took a walk over to the Fire Hydrant sign to check the water levels, where I found plenty of water remaining in both the main pool and the surrounding run-off areas.

The cattle were all good today.

Saturday

 All found spread out to the east of the hill at 9am. All looking fine and 200 seemed to be moving ok,

25th September - Staff check

All 4 behind the pond, near the racecourse fenceline. Steer 200 still a bit reluctant to walk on his front leg, perhaps still a bit tender, but doesn't seem too bad. Others all fine. 

Thursday 24th September - All 4 seen

They were easy to spot in the open at the north of the site at 1015 this morning. Initially I could only see three and the NoFence map was showing one at the SE of the site, but as I got closer I could see that the fourth was lying down near the others. All appeared well.

11.15am, Mon 21 Sep, all 4 standing in the fire hydrant area.

An easy find today and they looked to be fine although a large number of flies were bothering 208 which was the closest one to me over the fence.  Plenty of water still there but didn’t check the pond.

Also noticed the barb wire fence is still broken in that area.

I’m away next week Monday so unavailable to see them then.

Sunday 20th September - All 4 seen - Steer 200 has some damage to the outer claw of his left forefoot and is still walking tentatively, although better than last weekend.

At 15:45 this afternoon, the cattle were gathered at the side of the pond, resting in the sunshine. They were all friendly, taking turns to step forward and say hello, happily accepting a few head strokes. Unfortunately, the sunshine had brought out the flies, but the cattle didn't seem too bothered. Steer 200 was quick to position himself for a shoulder rub, which I was only too happy to provide.

After our initial greetings, the cattle soon gathered around me to relax and chew their cud. They were happy to stand close and appreciated having the flies gently brushed from their eyes. Cow 201 is normally a little shyer than the others, but today she was very relaxed and happily enjoyed some neck scratches while resting. Steers 200 and 208 both enjoyed long back scratches. By 16:20, steers 200 and 207 had drifted off to lie down and relax in the sunshine, while cow 201 and steer 208 moved under the shade of the trees, where they continued to chew their cud.

I noticed that steer 200 had some damage to the outer claw of his left forefoot. A section of the hoof wall at the toe has broken away, leaving a partially detached flap of hoof horn. Although he didn't wander too far today, he was still walking tentatively on his front feet, but his walking was nowhere near as bad as last weekend. He also hesitated for a few minutes before lying down. Once he was lying down, I noted that the detached flap of hoof horn extends to the edge of the sole. I have included a few photos for reference.

I said my goodbyes shortly after 16:30, leaving them resting peacefully. 

There was still plenty of drinking water in the pond, with the level looking similar to last weekend. Before leaving, I took a walk over to the Fire Hydrant sign to check the water levels, where I found plenty of water remaining in both the main pool and the surrounding run-off areas.

With the exception of steer 200, the cattle were all good today.

 

Saturday

 I couldn’t find the cows today at 8am