Sunday 9th August - All 4 seen

At 16:25 this afternoon, steer 208 emerged from the side of the bushes just off the main path, by the pond at ///friends.amps.newest, to say hello. He was content to stand close by while I helped keep the many flies away from his face and eyes. Steer 207 was standing in the bushes behind him, but soon poked his head through to let me know he was there. Steer 200 and cow 201 then came wandering over to join us, with steer 207 soon emerging from the bushes. The four gathered around me in the shade, quietly resting and chewing their cud. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

After a while, the cattle drifted into the pasture behind to graze in the warm sunshine, enjoying plenty of long grass and leaves from the surrounding bushes. They regularly returned for a break, though, often coming back to stand beside me and enjoy a little company. Steer 207 was particularly bothered by the flies, especially around his eyes, where they stubbornly remained despite my efforts to fan them away. Steer 200 was his usual friendly self, coming over for a long back scratch before leaning in for a relaxing neck rub. I regularly wiped the flies from his face as he enjoyed the attention.

I said my goodbyes at 17:15, leaving them all grazing peacefully. As I walked away, however, the boys followed me back to the main path and stood watching as I continued on my way.

While the cattle were grazing, I wandered over to check the pond, which still had some water, although the level was noticeably lower than when I checked last Sunday. Before leaving, I also walked over to the fire hydrant in the northwest corner, where there was still some additional water pooled for them to drink just inside the fence line.

The cattle were all good today.

Saturday

 All found at 8.30 just inside the entrance by the corral. All looking fine and moving well. 

Staff Check 4th Aug - all 4 seen

All 4 seen.

Cattle looking well, found them in the shade of the tree line towards the test tracks gate. They moved out to the pond area, and when I walked back through they were browsing along the main track. A couple of them a bit bothered by flies. 

Foxglove (10020) very flighty, difficult to get close enough to check over fully. 

9.45, Mon 3 Aug, all 4 in the fire hydrant area, bothered by flies but otherwise seemed relaxed and ok

3 standing and 1 sitting.  One having a good scratch against a tree.  

Sunday 2nd August - All 4 seen

Shortly after 15:00 this afternoon, all four cattle were resting in the woodland towards the northeastern corner of the site, approximately 200 metres north of the main path, near ///detective.fizzled.hits. Although they were relaxing and chewing their cud in the shade, they were being bothered by huge numbers of flies, especially around their eyes and nostrils. Steer 200 soon got up and wandered over to say hello, happy to stand close while I gently brushed the flies from his face, giving him some temporary relief. He then leaned in to enjoy some neck rubs. Shortly afterwards, the other three got up one at a time and came over to greet me. Cow 201 was a little apprehensive at first, but after seeing me spend some time with the boys, she soon wandered over too. All four cattle were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Soon after, we moved onto an open grassy area to the north, where the cattle gathered around, happy to stand close and chew their cud. They occasionally nibbled on the long grass and browsed the leaves of the surrounding trees. Around 15:30, they began to drift away, moving through the woodland and into the dense bracken to the south before making their way back to the main path. From there, they crossed over and headed to the pond for a drink. Steers 200 and 207 were the first to venture into the water, with cow 201 soon following and gently pushing her way in for her turn. The boys soon wandered over to the western bank, where I was sitting, while steer 208 and cow 201 lingered in the water to enjoy a long drink.

Steer 200 soon wandered over to where I was sitting, thoroughly enjoying a long back scratch while resting in the sunshine.  Nearby, steer 207 grazed on the fresh grass, while cow 201 and steer 208 preferred the shade of the trees to the west of the pond, where they settled down to relax and chew their cud. I said my goodbyes at 16:00, leaving them all happy, relaxed, and content.

Before leaving, I wandered over to the northwest corner of the site to check that there was still additional drinking water pooled by the Fire Hydrant sign.

The cattle were all good today.

 

staff checked

All 4 cattle looking well.

Water source checked and it has supply however we will assess over the next week or so with view to move cattle off subject to fencing being checked and suitable on next site.

Thanks for your continued support

The grazing team

Tues 28th, all 4 sitting in the dense shade in the far corner Forresters pub end

I could see them over the fence from the pathway and they looked to be fine.  One stood up and started to approach me but changed their mind.

Also checked on the pond at the other end of the site and still plenty of water in there.