Saturday 19th September - All 4 seen

At 14:25 this afternoon, youngsters 278 and 282 were grazing near ///visit.chains.cushy, in the pasture northeast of the water trough. They were both very friendly, taking turns to come over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and scratches. About ten minutes later, youngsters 276 and 283, who had been grazing further north, spotted me and quickly came over to greet me, accompanied by a chorus of moos. They, too, were very friendly and quickly settled in for plenty of fuss. There were lots of flies around today, so the boys were happy to have them gently brushed from their faces. I also noticed that all four had a large number of ticks on the lower part of their necks and on their undersides.

After our initial greetings, the boys soon formed a loose circle around me and began to relax and chew their cud. They would take turns stepping forward for longer sessions of neck and back rubs, thoroughly enjoying the attention. Youngster 276 was especially affectionate, resting his head on my shoulder while enjoying a long neck scratch, something he hadn't done for quite some time. After a while, the boys drifted off to graze, groom each other, or play-fight, with one of them always staying to keep me company and enjoy plenty of fuss. At one point, youngsters 278 and 283 lined themselves up side by side to both enjoy back scratches at the same time. The boys were an absolute joy to spend some quiet, relaxing time with today. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At 15:50, I set off to check the water trough, with the boys following closely behind. They all watched as I gave it a good clean, removing the layer of pine needles and leaves that had fallen from the trees overhead. When I was done, youngster 278 stepped forward for a long drink, while the others began to relax and chew their cud around a tree just beyond the trough. They all enjoyed plenty more strokes and rubs before I said my goodbyes at 16:20, leaving them all resting.

As I reached the woodland west of the tarmac road, I heard rustling behind me. I turned to see youngster 276 loping through the bracken after me — clearly not ready for me to leave just yet, with the others following more casually behind. After another couple of rounds of strokes, I slipped away, leaving them near the tarmac road at 16:40.

The cattle were all good today.

Friday 18th September 26. (09.00 - 09.40) All Four Seen. All OK. Trough Checked.

 The boys were all on the sloping grass track in D7, SW of the ammo dump compound.  All were true to character; Jet & Jeans stand off-ish and Jura & J'Adore more friendly.  I spent a few minutes stroking/scratching the ameanable pair.

 I then went to check on the trough.  It was full and clear.  I skimmed-off some tree litter from the surface and that as I was about to get back on my bike and leave I saw that all four boys were coming for a drink.

I have never, before seen any of the livestock at the trough, so I stayed for a while.  All four quickly started drinking from the trough and in only 2-3 minutes, they had drunk about 20% of the water in the trough.  I was able to hear and see the trough refilling.

I them went off for my cycle ride through Minley and Hawley Woods.   On the way home,  I met and had a chat with Jackie, who was walking Ziggy and had a young deer pop out and run in front of me for a short while on a track near Hawley Lake.  A great morning's ride.

Unable to check 21/22nd n 28/29th as away

Thursday 17th Sept - All Good

Found the boys munching and walking. They weren't interested in any interaction, they just wanted their breakfast. They all looked great.

 

 

Wednesday 16th - Morning

 Checked the water trough, all OK.

Found the boys just to the East of the corral.  They were all looking fine with no issues to report.

Tuesday 16th - Staff check, and hello

 The four boys were hidden along the south-eastern boundary, deep deep inside some rhodedendron bushes. They all came out once they saw me and deligently followed me back to the truck despite my insistence that there really was no need. All looked well 

On another note, Sean Pyman has now officially taken over Hawley, so he will be your first contact for any non-urgent issues. As his assistant I expect I shall be doing most of the livestock checks....! And as always, any urgent issues please call the on-call number

Thanks, and looking forward to seeing some of you out on site!

Monday 4th all Seen in I3 then in L4/K4 on our way home

 All seen initially in the dense Rhodis. Jura. Was out but the other 3 all in the bushes. 

On our way home they were all on the path. All look fine and said hello. Lots of flies. There is water around in other places than the trough

I cannot work out why I cannot load photos. I will email about this