grazing update

I found the reason for sheep escapees today!

I sorted the tree but won't be till Monday for a proper fix on the fence. So with this i put up grazing signs in the central compartment so people know we have livestock on both fields (I was planning on splitting the flock soon anyway)

However, as the fence is not fully repaired there is a chance numbers in each field may change. There is currently 15 WFW sheep (although seems like they to hang out in 2 separate groups) in central and 24 in eastern. 

I've adjusted a few more gates today as well.

Also I forgot to leave the sheep nut tub in its usual spot, if someone doesn't mind picking it up from the gate next to plum pudding that would be fab!

Thanks all

ty Tuesday 29 August

Sheep all over the place this morning, but eventually found at least 24 in eastern compartment and a further 12 in central by the trough. That makes 36 although I think there were three more in eastern.  A number of the gates weren't fully latched, now that they have learned to get through one gate they may try others. Food and water fine, no dogs or walkers.

Monday 28th August

 11 Sheep in the Central Compartment (all white faced) !!

The other 28 sheep are in the Eastern Compartment (although 5 shetlands took a lot of searching for - they were just the Eastern side of the Eastern/Central Compartment fence, where not gets steep and wooded).

I let Grace at HIWWT know about the 11 sheep and she will inform Bea and the Livestock person tomorrow as they are all accounted for in the Central Compartment.

Note: The 11 were initially near the water trough under the trees, but 2 hours later (when I was nearing the completion of the butterfly count) they were all out on the Down.

I did notice that the latch on the kissing gate doesn't close on its own and my hypothesis is that it was left up and the sheep were then able to go into the Central compartment via the kissing gate., as I could see no problems with the fence.

The good news is that they are all on the reserve and looking healthy and there are plenty of sheep nuts.

Sunday 27th August

All well on the downs. Water full, feed bin half full and 39 sheep! All present and correct. We did notice that one (with fetching matching red ear tags) was definitely the grand dame, a bit of foot stamping and facing up to our dogs - who were obviously on short leads. When I managed to negotiate my way around her to the gate and was watching David doing the counting from the safety of the next field she followed me to head butt the gate, her message was very clear! Not a problem for me but behaviour worth noting. Pippa Evans    pp David & Gaynor Simpson

Friday 25th August

 All 39 came to call - no hobblers as far as I could see. Gates and trough ok. One poodle with walker on lead.  Noticed that (Sainsburys ?) have been cutting up fallen trees on adjoining top path but not the one across temporary repaired fence.  Tim Evans

Wednesday 23rd August (apologies for image)

All 39 sheep accounted for. 32 came to see me, the remaining 7 were hiding in the copse. One of the white sheep (I forget the breed names) was making a coughing sound every now and again but was otherwise in good health. 

There was a rabbit carcass on the site, to the right coming from the central compound, across the main path, towards the copse. Couldn't see any visible injuries on it besides maybe the front right foot, but that may have been due to flies. I've included an image in case it needs investigating.

Water trough was working and there was plenty of food. All of the gates seemed in working order.

There was one person walking through but no dogs.

Tues 22 aug

I accounted for 38 sheep, 31 at the bottom of the hill, 7 in the copse. The last one was probably elsewhere in the copse, but I fully circumnavigated it to no avail; note to self: don't wear shorts next week. Water and food fine, no walkers or dogs. Gate is ok but still possible not to shut it properly

Monday 21st August

 All 39 sheep present in the Eastern Compartment and looking healthy.

9 (all Shetlands) were late arriving, but baaing so I knew they were close.

They eventually all arrived together.

Gate and Kissing Gate seemed secure, I could see a number of sheep were rubbing against the gate when I got back to the top.

No dog walkers (or people) on the nature reserve.

Sunday 20th August

Got all sheep back into eastern compartment and I adjusted the kissing gate again.

I did count 38 a few times but also got 39, they had too much fuss to try call them in again to confirm this.

I'll try get a weight or spring on said gate later in the week to help with current situation

Saturday 19th August

All sheep were present but under half were in the Central compartment. The wardens who went today will try and get them back in the Eastern compartment in the morning. Trough OK, no dog walkers reported Pippa

Friday 18 August

All 39 sheep were grazing in the lower part of the quadrant , no problems noted.

Water trough full , plenty of food in the bucket.

No walkers or dogs which was not surprising in view of the weather!

Wednesday 16th August

Counted 39 sheep, though one was nestled right into the shrubbery. 

All seemed in good health. Trough and gate were both in working order. Didn't notice any damage to the fence. No walkers today.

Tuesday 15 August

All sheep accounted for, 29 came to my call, 10 in the break away group in the copse. All looked fine although some at the car side of the opse remained lying down. One walker, a hwt volunteer who helped me find the 10. Gates, water etc fine.

Monday 14th August

The rain had stopped by the time I arrived.

29 Sheep came when I called, 9 remained under a large yew tree and one took a bit more searching (I think it was near the photo from last Tuesday). 

All 39 sheep looked healthy.

The sheep with pink tag 00171 was much better than last week, it is just slightly tentative in putting weight on its front right leg.

There are roughly enough sheep nuts for one day and the water trough was fine.

No one else was around today so no dogs.

Saturday 12th August

 Lizzie and I found 39 sheep (5 were hiding but we found them eventually under a big tree).

They were all looking good The pot of nuts is running low. 2 more lots there probably.

There were no dogs or people in the Eastern Enclosure that we saw. 

The water trough was full. The gates looked fine. Lots of beautiful butterflies!! 

Pippa   pp. Di Crawshaw & Lizzie Lane

Friday 11 August 2023

Eventually found all 39 sheep were found , (8 were hiding in the trees!) All sheep appeared well no limpers noted.

Water trough is full and there is plenty of food in the bin.

No dogs or walkers.

Wednesday 9th August

All 39 sheep accounted for, although a few wanted to remain in the shrubbery. I didn't notice any limping and they all seemed in good health otherwise. Nuts are low and need replacing. Trough was in working order. No damage to gates or fence. There were a couple of photographers walking through but no dogs.

Tuesday 8th August: Hide and sheep

39 found, but it's taken me 40 minutes to track down the last 5, eventually had to go on hands and knees to get into the top of the copse, wish I hadn't worn shorts.  Rewarded by sighting of 

rare tree climbing arboreal sheep. One sheep has a limp but is getting around ok (sorry, didn't view the ear tag). Enough nuts for tomorrow, water is fine, no walkers or dogs. Guy

Monday 7th August

 As per Sams post, Sheep with pink tag 00171 limping, this was worse when first seen and improved the more they moved.

All 39 sheep found, it was sunny/warm so all the sheep were in the shade of trees initially :-

25 came when called (including limper) , 11 were together in one shady location, other 3 were slightly further away and not far apart but hard to find.

Sheep Nuts are now very low, I used less than usual to leave enough for 1 or 2 days.

The water trough is very full from the rain so I couldn't test the ballcock.

Lame sheep

 Hi all,

White faced woodland (00171) reported to be lame. Please can the next looker give me a call if the issue has persisted: 07825 201545.

regards,

Sam

Saturday 5th Aug

 All sheep came eventually. Couldn't spot the limper this time. Had wonderful assistance from the eager kids. Sheep nuts low

Friday 4th August

Despite several counts I could only made 38.  Had a good search around but could find no lurker. One of the Whiteface Woodland was limping. Water and gates OK. Bucket getting low on nuts (Sam, the red bucket is behind the fence next to water trough). No walkers.  Tim Evans

Thursday 3rd August

All 39 sheep seem to be present and in good health. No issues. Located in the west part of the eastern field with about 7 hidden under the trees. Most came with some persistent calling and bucket-shaking. Trough full.

At least 7 slow worms and a common lizard on reptile survey.

Abundance of butterflies including chalkhill blues being recorded in the sunshine by one of our butterfly transect volunteers. Couple of people but not dogs today. 

Brought some sheep nuts for the lookers to use but couldn't find the red bin we store them in... So I shall have to bring them another day.

Wednesday 2nd August

Only counted 38 after searching the whole compartment, although they were all a bit reluctant to come see me so the last one's probably just tucked away somewhere. I let Sam know just in case. All seemed in good health. Trough was working as intended. No issues with fence or gate. No dogs.

Tuesday 1st August

All 39 sheep accounted for, including 4 under the yew at the top of the slope. No limping seen, but one of the 4 wouldn't get up and I couldn't get to it through the thicket; did not look distressed. Gate latch repair is good, and Bea's collection of gates is coming on very well! 😂. No walkers or dogs.