Mon 29th June - staff check

All 4 seen well in the vicinity of the pumps and the ditch. Ditch almost empty but thankfully the pasture pumps showed signs of recent use with fresh water in them and wet ground around the bases. This should settle the question over whether they've been using them or not.

Sunday 28th June - All 4 seen - ditch dry, water pumps empty, concerns over drinking water availability

At 15:50 this afternoon, steer 208 was standing and chewing his cud just inside the test track gate, while the others rested on the strip of grass beside him. He stepped forward to greet me and was happy to receive a few head strokes. After a short while, the others also got to their feet and approached to say hello, giving me plenty of curious sniffs. Steer 200 enjoyed a neck rub before shuffling forward for a relaxing back scratch.

By 16:10, they had drifted off to graze near ///simply.funds.poorly enjoying plenty of fresh grass and leaves from the trees and bushes. They seemed to appreciate the cooler conditions, with a refreshing breeze making the afternoon far more comfortable for them. Steers 200 and 208 would occasionally come over and stand close, seemingly happy to share a bit of company. The cattle continued to graze along the sides of the main path, reaching the cattle grid by 16:30. The group appeared happy, relaxed, and unaffected by the extreme heat over the past few days. They were all seen walking, grazing, and resting normally without any visible issues.

I left them grazing and wandered along to check the ditch, which was completely dry. I also checked the water pumps, where the left-hand tray had only a small amount of water remaining in the bottom and the right-hand tray was dry. There was no indication that the cattle had been using them, and it appeared the water had likely evaporated during the hot weather. I gave both trays a good clean and refilled them.

Afterwards I returned to the cattle, who were now grazing among the gorse bushes along the fence line beyond the cattle grid. I remembered that there had previously been some large pools of water in this area that may once have provided an additional source, but despite a long search, these also appeared to have dried up. The cattle did not appear to be showing any signs of dehydration, suggesting they must still have access to another water source elsewhere. However, it would be sensible to teach them how to make use of the water pumps if possible.

I said my goodbyes to the cattle at 17:30, leaving all four peacefully grazing. Before leaving, I checked the car but didn’t have any suitable containers available to provide some temporary water.

The cows were all good today, although the limited availability of confirmed drinking water sources remains a concern.

Wednesday 24th June - Staff Check

 Found all 4 right in the middle of a gorse bush. How they got there is anyone's guess, as there was no obvious trail and they aren't the smallest cows. They looked well in spite of mishievous exploits

Sunday 21st June - All 4 seen

At 16:50 this afternoon, the cattle were resting in the shade of the trees about 120 metres west of the reservoir, near ///evoke.flasks.whimpered. Steer 208 must have heard me approaching, as he wandered out into the open to greet me, making it easy to spot the rest of the group. The others soon followed, stepping out into the long grass to say hello.

After a short while, I walked back towards the grass track to the south, with the cattle following behind and giving me a better chance to check them over properly. Steer 200 was especially friendly, enjoying a few head strokes and an ear rub. The group then settled nearby, keeping a comfortable distance while relaxing and chewing their cud. They would occasionally step closer, seeming to enjoy the company, while it helped keep many of the flies away from their faces. They were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 17:20, I went down to check the water pumps and noticed that both troughs had a bronze‑coloured sediment collecting at the bottom. I gave them a thorough clean before refilling them. There was still no sign that the cattle had been using them. On the way back, I checked the water levels in the ditch, and there was still plenty of drinking water available.

The cattle began to follow me as I headed towards the pumps, but sensibly stopped and moved back into the shade. I found them again at 17:30, resting among the trees south of the track near ///credible.miss.clasping. They soon wandered out to greet me once more, with steer 200 enjoying a back scratch while the others relaxed nearby. I said my goodbyes at 17:45, leaving them resting peacefully and hoping they would soon move back into the shade out of the warm sunshine.

The cattle were all good today.

Thurs 18th Jun - staff check

All 4 seen well near the watering hole. Steer 200's collar looks very tight. No signs of rubbing but please keep an eye on it.

Still plenty of water in the ditch

Sunday 14th June - All 4 seen

At 16:30 this afternoon, the cattle were resting near ///calms.inflamed.rebirth at the far northern end of the site. All four were lying down when I arrived, but steers 200 and 208, along with cow 201, got up as I approached and made my way through a gap in the bushes to join them. Steer 200 was the first to step forward for a greeting, enjoying a few strokes before settling beside me to chew his cud. The other two soon followed, edging forward for their own hello before standing quietly alongside him. After a short while, steer 207 also rose and wandered over to join the others, forming a relaxed little circle around me as they peacefully chewed their cud. Once we’d spent some quiet time together, the cattle gradually drifted off to graze in the surrounding area, nibbling at the long grass and browsing leaves from the bushes. Steer 200 was especially friendly and regularly wandered back over to stand beside me, leaning in gently for a few curious sniffs before settling nearby again. The others also returned from time to time, content to graze and enjoy a bit of company. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well. A refreshing breeze was blowing, helping to keep most of the flies away from their faces. I said my goodbyes at 17:10, leaving them grazing peacefully. Before leaving the site, I checked the ditch to make sure there was still plenty of drinking water available.

The cows were all good today.

9th June staff check all seen and ok