Wednesday 29th November

Counted 62 in total. 47 came for good on the central hill, 15 stayed around the east gate. I did see some with dark spots as highlighted last week, but they just looked like seeds and foliage stuck in their coats to me, although I couldn't get a closer look so probably still worth a check.

The water trough was full but no water came out when I depressed the lever. I don't think they'll be lacking for water any time soon, but definitely worth keeping an eye on. (That's not ice on it, by the way. Think it's just dirt)

The gate at the north-west of the compartment doesn't always lock on its own. The cable on it looks a bit slack, tightening that should do the trick.

Nuts are starting to get low but there's still plenty for the next few days.

Tuesday 28 November

This morning they all congregated in the West slope, making counting easier. 61. I had a closer look at baldy, I can't see any skin lesions or signs of irritation (except with me trying to get a closer look). Skin under the fleece looks pink, but I don't know if it supposed to.

A number of others look trip my untutored eye to have possible skin lesions or other problems. They don't seem to be distressed by it.

 Lower East gate was not latched, latch is loose and does not fall into place by itself.

Water and nuts fine, no walkers.

Monday 27th November

 62 sheep counted today (how ?) !!

in groups of 15, 16 and 25 + 6 in the area around the sheep nuts (I was expecting 5).

Got the same even with 2 recounts !!

Four sheep had brambles in their fleeces, and the one below had a bramble that extended round to its next but it seemed fine other than that and it came for sheep nuts.

 

Sheep nuts now about 1/4 full, water trough ball cock working.

Boundary fence all okay, no dogs or walkers on nature reserve.

Sunday 26th November

 No problems on the down today. Pippa pp. Libby Redman

Saturday 25th November

 The sheep all seemed to be enjoying the cold snap of weather. The water butt was free of ice and having armed myself with some ‘nuts’ headed off to encourage them to all congregate in one place. The sheep weren’t keen on all congregating so there seemed to be about four lots which Tony reckoning amounted to all of them. Pippa pp. Richard Thomson

Friday 24 November

All 61 sheep were out on the slopes enjoying the sun this morning , no issues noted.

Plenty of water in trough and food in bin.

No dogs or walkers

Wednesday 22nd November

I counted 62 sheep total. 45 that came to get food, and another 17 that remained by the East compartment gate. One of those 17 was sat with it's foot out. It had something between its hooves. I think it's just mud but I've attached pictures here just in case. When I came back later it had moved so I don't imagine it's that bad. 

Water trough sputtered a bit but was working, and the trough was full to the brim. Plent of nuts. All of the gates were in working order.

Tuesday 21st November

61 sheep present, spread throughout central compartment. One or two are shredding their fleece; I can't see anything untoward but worth keeping an eye on. Otherwise all look healthy. Food, water, lower gates and absence of dogs all ok.

Monday 20th November

 All 61 sheep found and healthy.

Sheep Nuts near full.

Water Trough ballcock working again.

Boundary fence all fine except for known fallen tree.

No walkers or dogs seen on the reserve.

Friday 17th November

 All 61 sheep enjoying the warmth of the sunshine this morning. Gates and trough in good order. No dog walkers   Tim & Pippa Evans

Wednesday 15 November

All 61 sheep accounted for and seemingly in good health. Trough was full and working. Plenty of nuts. All gates were secure.

Tuesday 14 November

Counted between 59 and 62 sheep this morning, they have now dispersed and the rain is coming, so I have blown my chance to do another count. All looked healthy. Gates water and food are fine, no people or dogs 

Monday 13th November

 All 61 sheep found and looking healthy.

Plenty of Sheep Nuts.

Water trough full, I'm not sure if its working as when I depressed the ball cock nothing happened but perhaps I didn't depress it far enough.

Checked all fences, no new trees down (Storm is from the West so it was slightly sheltered in the Central Compartment)

Sunday 12th November

 All fine Pippa. No issues. I found a small axe which I have left near the bonfire patch about 100 yards in from plum pudding.      Gordon & Rachel Bebb

Friday 10 November

Struggled to find all 61 sheep this morning , found / counted 60 but a number of them were hiding or trying to hide in shrub and bushes. No problems noted with sheep , plenty of water in trough and food in bin.

No walkers or dogs.

Wednesday 8th November

Counted 62 sheep. Had to go back and forth between the different herds. (The WFWs were particularly reluctant to come see me.)

One of the Shetlands had some gunk on its eye. Didn't look too bad but I thought it was worth noting. You can see it in the far left of this picture. It was the best I could do, he wanted to eat my phone!

Trough was in working order. Plenty of nuts. Couldn't see any damages to the fence or gates.

Tuesday 7th November

I counted 60 sheep this morning before the main group started to disperse, but I am pretty sure there were 61 there. All looked in fine fettle

Monday 6th November

 All 61 sheep there and looking healthy (I got 62 on my first count but I think one moved).

Plenty of sheep nuts in the container (hint: I always put the sheep nuts in the margarine container and shake that to make a noise to attract the sheep - it seems to work).

Water trough - ball cock is working (if I depress it there is quite a strong flow of water),

but the trough is very full so it may be a while before it works on its own.

I saw the tree down on the fence on the top eastern side of the compartment (see photos below),

on the upper side it is well blocked with branches (top picture)

on the lower side there is a slight gap (and the barbed wire is pushed down) but I'm not sure its big enough for a sheep (bottom picture).

There were sheep droppings/tracks in the area so the sheep must go there although I haven't seen them there. 

I think it's worth keeping an eye on (NB. Its easier to approach it from the Broughton side as the slope is pretty step on the Winterslow side)

Sunday 5th November

 All the gates are in good condition. Neil and I went up with the Simpsons. Unfortunately we couldn’t agree with the count. It ranged from 51, 59 and 68 ( someone must be hallucinating! ). They are in excellent condition, beautiful coats of white and grey. As you said a couple were over friendly and tried to eat out of my hand. No problems with flies seen. The trough was full.

Can I suggest the reinstatement of the bucket for the sheep nuts? The small plastic container was not good at making a noise (can’t shake it as you can with a bucket ) to attract the sheep to come for the food.

There was a family with 2 dogs walking in the central compartment. Both dogs were off the lead. The woman knew that there were sheep in the compartment as she pointed them out to me when I asked if she saw any sheep. I said that as there were sheep in the compartment, she should put the dogs on leads. She replied that they were leaving the compartment, walked on and ignored my request.

Pippa    pp  Neil & Lilian Kingham

Friday 3rd November

 All 61 sheep grazing on the slopes and looking in good health. Plenty of water & nuts. Gates all ok. One dog walker who put his small dog on the lead when he saw me. The contractors were dropping off the fence posts - quite tricky getting up the track.  Pippa Evans

Wednesday 1st November

All 61 sheep accounted for and in good health.

No water is coming out of the trough. There is plenty of water in the trough for them, and if the rain keeps up I suspect it will stay that way, but it does need to be looked at.

The gate in the northern corner, at the bottom of the hill, closes but doesn't always lock on its own. The wire on the weight looks a bit slack.