Tuesday 28 September

I counted 60 this morning with reasonable certainty of the number. At least 3 shetlands and one white face are limping. Water and bucket both fine.

I feel a little guilty. It was fine when I arrived so I enticed them all out from the shelter of the trees on to the open hillside, then the heavens opened and soaked us all.

Fences and gates OK. On the track leading in ( what 3 words ///crossword.park.flute) a tree has broken from it's trunk and is precariously balanced, so take care.

Monday 27th September

All 60 back together the sheep seemed to have gotten out through an area of twisted barb wire so I stapled and secured this back down. 

Sunday 26th September

 Beautiful warm, sunny afternoon and the House Martins gave a wonderful aerial display over the clump of silver birches and beyond. Yesterday we were told of an escapee in the Eastern compartment. We went to gather it up and found the gate padlocked so could not drive it through. The trough is full in that compartment, we could find no obvious place where the Shetland sheep got through. All other sheep came to call and there seemed to be 59. The two limpers were not putting any weight on their poorly hooves when standing- one a left front and the other a right front - both Shetlands. Is it worth giving me the padlock combination as we could have done something to help?  Pippa & Tim

Friday 24th September

I only got a count of 59, they disperse back into the scrub quite quickly. One limper front right has blue and yellow tag, will monitor.

Its good to have two people if possible so someone can bring up the rear whilst someone calls with the nuts at the front.

Trough fine

Bea

Tuesday 21st sheep back in central

Sheep with a couple limps but unable to catch to have a look. Please monitor limps

All 60 moved back into central

Trough clean and working

Monday 20th sept

The livestock grazing  signs i put up for western compartment have been ripped down, they were temporary will put up sturdier ones when sheep are in properly

I didn't manage to get an accurate count but spotted two limpers, one putting no weight on front left at all. Informed grazing team and they will join us tomorrow to try to move the sheep and look at the sheep with a bad limp

Sunday 19th September

 We've just got back from holiday and was told by the couple on warden duty that they couldn't get to the down because of a family crisis. I am sorry the sheep were not checked this weekend. Pippa

sheep in two compartments

We have been down to treat the lame sheep. Ubfortunatly we couldn't call them back to the middle compartment so they are now running middle and the corral section with the Hampshire gate open between them. Water still only in the middle compartment though.

Tuesday 14th September

All 60 found, two limping very badly. One lieing down (183), one very bad front right foot (I couldn't get close enough to see the ear tag of this one). I couldn't catch them today to treat them, we will come back as a group to do this. 

Monday 13th Sept

All 60 counted and looking well. No sign of any limpers. Shame some still not too keen to come straight to the bucket.

Trough full and working 

Friday 10th September

All 60 sheep were quite spread out but have calling a while they all came over. They are looking well.

Trough is clean

I have replenished the nut bucket

Bea

Tues 7th second inspection

We had our first work party of the season today so I was about to check the sheep. Some wouldn't come out for nuts but found them.in one of their usual shady spots so counted 60 but no sign of a shaky sheep. They were panting a lot in the hot weather but all were standing and walking fine. One shetland had a slight limp . 

Tue 7th sep

All 60 sheep present. Trough and food fine. No pronounced limps seen, but one individual (see photo, yellow left ear tag 00183, faded pink right) looked decidedly shaky when walking, now lying down but eating OK. 

Mon 6th Sep

All 60 sheep found. No issues, except one limper. Trough full.

Sunday 5th September

 54 sheep accounted for. As it was a hot day they were probably taking shelter in the shade of the trees. Pippa Evans pp Paddy & Nicola Mawhinney. I am away from 10th  - 17th  of September so not able to enter in the blog. I'll ask those on duty to phone Mike or Bea if there is an emergency.

Friday 3rd Sept

All 60 present, some are so slow at coming to the bucket! 

There is still one limper, but it does look like it can put weight on it and is not deteriorating but needs monitoring 

I've put a few more nuts in the main bucket, waiting for a delivery to properly top up the bucket.

Trough full and working