Saturday 8th August - All 4 seen

At 14:35 this afternoon, the boys were just emerging from the thicket onto the edge of the main path near ///referral.weeds.dish, just up from the entrance by the car park. When they spotted me approaching, I was welcomed with a chorus of moos before they took turns coming over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes. They were all very affectionate, offering gentle head rubs and plenty of licks. Afterwards, the boys were happy to stand beside me, resting and chewing their cud, but it was very warm, and they were being bothered by a huge number of flies. So, around 15:00, I led them over to the woodland west of the main entrance, where it was cooler and the flies were less persistent.

The boys soon gathered around me again, happy to stand close, rest and chew their cud. They would frequently step forward for longer neck and back scratches, tucking their heads into my side as they tried to keep the flies off their faces. When not being fussed over, they would huddle together or stand facing the trees. Occasionally, the boys would wander over to the bushes to the north to snack on some leaves. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

At around 15:45, I set off west to check the water trough, with all four cattle following at my heels. I would stop every now and again just to check they were okay, only to receive more head rubs or gentle nudges indicating more strokes were needed. When we got to the trough, the boys immediately gathered around both sides to enjoy long, refreshing drinks. It was wonderful to see them all happily drinking without their collars making a sound. Afterwards, they gathered around again before moving towards the fence line. It was actually really cool in the shade of the trees, and there were considerably fewer flies. After giving the trough a clean as it filled back up, I went to spend some more time with each of them, with the boys happily accepting more strokes and rubs.

I said my goodbyes at 16:30, leaving them all relaxing near the fence line, fairly certain they were going to settle down to rest when I left. Instead, after a short delay, they emerged from the woodland to watch me wander off. They followed for a bit before starting to graze, gradually making their way towards the trees to the northeast.

The cattle were all good today.

Friday 7 August 26. (07.50 - 08.15) All four Fit & Well in E6/F6

 Quickly found all four.  J'Adore was separated from the other three in F6, about ten yards from the ammo dump perimeter fence.  He was quite happily munching away at young heather.  Occasionally he turned around to where the NoFence showed where the others were, but was gradually heading NE, (away from them).  He content for me to stroke his back and neck while he fueled-up.

The other three were in E6, (about 50 yards from J'Adore) to the SW of the ammo dump.  As you can see, they were right next to the green electric sub-station immediately opposite the gates.  

Jura was grazing clockwise around the base of the sub-station, while Jeans was stood still by it's NW corner, while Jet was licking all over  his LHS.  This one-sided grooming was going on for about five minutes.  All appeared  well & content and  happy to have scratches and strokes.  This included me stroking/scratching Jeans on his starboard side, while Jet attended to port!

While I was scratching Jeans, Jura appeared around the corner of the substation and looked at Jeans, Jet and I. This is probably anthropomorphic but to me that look was disappointment & disapproval !     

I then checked the trough, which was clear & full.

Thursday 6th August - All Good

Found all 4 cows by the trough around 10:25am. All cows & the trough looked good.

 

 

Wednesday 5th - Morning

 Found the cows just at the side of the main track a little way from the cattle grid.

I first saw 283 chewing something.  I managed to get through the scrub and he had dropped what turned out to be a dog throw, ball on a rope.  Good job he hadn't tried to swallow it.

I took throw home and binned it. 

Other than that the cows were all good, just lots of flies around them.

I went over and checked the trough, all fine with that.  I did scoop a load of pine needles off the surface.

When I returned to the entrance they were all in the wood resting

Tuesday 4th August all 4 seen in L6 9.15am

 All seen this morning in what used to be very wet area!

Busy eating the trees. There is a lot of good grass in the area 

We really struggled to get out ..its a difficult area !

Sorry but we wont make it to cows today

 Combination of the heat and an appointment.we will go tomorrow

Saturday 1st August - All 4 seen

At 14:35 this afternoon, youngsters 278 and 283 were happily grazing in the pasture southwest of the ammo compound, near ///swing.verve.slim. They both spotted me approaching and wandered over to say hello, taking turns to enjoy plenty of strokes and scratches. Youngsters 276 and 282 had been grazing in the thicket a little further north, closer to the tank pits. After about ten minutes, they wandered over to join the other two and seemed pleasantly surprised to see me. Youngster 276 welcomed me with a loud moo before greeting me with gentle head rubs and plenty of licks. Youngster 282 was equally friendly, coming over to say hello before thoroughly enjoying a long neck scratch.

After our initial greetings, the boys followed me to the strip of grass to the north, where they gathered around me for their checks. Although temperatures were a little lower than they have been recently, it was still a hot afternoon, with plenty of flies bothering them. They each took turns leaning in for long neck rubs, happy for me to help keep the flies away from their eyes. Afterwards, they moved into the shade of the trees to the south, enjoying plenty of silver birch leaves. Youngster 278 chose to stay with me, thoroughly enjoying a long back scratch while he relaxed and chewed his cud. All four were happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Youngster 282 thoroughly enjoyed a long back rub, moving forwards and backwards to make sure I reached all of his itchy spots. By 15:45, however, he settled down on the grassy track to the southeast, right at my feet, to rest. The other three soon wandered back over, happy to enjoy even more fuss, before I said my goodbyes at 16:10. I started to make my way down the track towards the trough, only for the boys to follow me for a short while before they became distracted by the abundance of fresh grass.

I continued to the trough alone, gave it a thorough clean, and made sure it was full for when the boys stopped by later for a drink. As I left about fifteen minutes later, all four were still peacefully grazing.

The cattle were all good today.