But also rather scared. Highland cows are protective mothers which will make it difficult to get close enough to find out whether Islay has mastitis and to sex and check the calf as well as put fly repellent on it to protect it from fly strike. Highlands have a lot less milk than a Jersey, but there is still a chance at the beginning that the calf doesn't manage to drink all the milk from each quarter which can result in mastitis.
Doug hasn't been able to get close yet, so we don't know the sex, he says it is dark coloured, probably black and seemed to be making enthusiastic attempts at feeding.
We need to find out soon if it is a boy as it is easier to castrate them in the first week. Persuading Islay that is a good idea could be challenging!
Photos to follow. Here is a cow statue in the British Museum in the mean time.
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