ALL SHEEP OFFSITE

 Tuesday 27th, thanks for the extra help in smoothly taking all 41 sheep offsite today they are off to fresh pasture.

Weekend warriors, if you can please continue your wardening duties this would be great!

Thanks to everyone for all your help this season we really couldn't do it without you!

Bea and the team 😀

Monday 26th February

 All 41 sheep found and healthy.

No dogs or walkers and all boundary fences look good (only small branches down).

Sheep Nuts about 3/4 full.

Saturday 24th February

 I went to count the sheep this morning. I got to 38. Couldn't see any more, despite rattling of box and spreading of nuts. All healthy and keen on a treat. Water trough was full. Gates all closed except for the one between the compartments, as expected. I saw no people or dogs up there.

Pippa          pp  David Reynolds

I'm afraid some of our volunteers do need some training!

Friday 23 rd February

41 Sheep found in two groups on lower part of central compartment this morning. All sheep were walking ok with no sign of limping. No other issues noted.

No walkers or dogs

Wednesday 21st Feb

All 41 sheep accounted for. 6 were absent when I called but after searching the entire enclosure I found they had rejoined the rest of the group. Didn't notice any lameness.

Some of the gates along the south side, specifically 5, 6, were not fully closed, likely due to the strong wind holding them open, and 10 looked like it would face a similar issue when I opened it to leave so I had to close it firmly.

Food is fine. Water troughs are both full, likely due to the rain, but the central compartment trough was not refilling by itself. When I pressed down the lever it sounded like presurised air was coming out, but even that died down after a short while. My guess is its source has dried up.

Saw a walker a distance off, they may have been in the east compartment, but didn't see a dog with them.

Finally, there was a pile of hot ash in the west side of the central compartment, where the sheep were found sheltering from the rain. It had steam coming off it, likely from the rain.

I found a few other ash piles around but they were a lot smaller and had gone cold. I'm guessing these were trees or shrubs that needed to go for whatever reason.

Tuesday 20th staff check

 Covering for Guy today.

All 41 together and well, I could not see the limpers although did make each of them walk - it may be ongoing sprain injuries that flare up if they walk wrong on it.

They are doing a tremendous job and all 41 sheep will be coming offsite soon! Keep an eye out on blogger for any updates.

I hope some sheep will be back when the growing season kicks off again in April/May

Thanks,B

Sunday 18th February

 All 41 sheep accounted for (all in the central compartment). Gates and troughs all good. Two sheep with lameness, one quite severe (pictured above), the other, also a Shetland, just slightly lame. We had a perfect sunny Spring morning!

Pippa   pp Gwen McConnachie, Jim & Mary Whelton

Friday 16 February

All 41 sheep found  grazing on the hill in central compartment, no limpers or other problems noted.

No walkers or dogs.

Wednesday 14th Feb

Counted all 41 sheep. Didn't notice any health problems. Troughs were in working order and plenty of nuts. Gates were all fine, although 7 still closes quite slowly and so may not lock on its own. No walkers or dogs.

13 Feb

All 41 found clustered near the central compartment trough and nearby slopes. No walkers or problems, plenty of water and food. But one seriously lame sheep (video, if I can upload it), I couldn't get near to read the tag and didn't want to frighten it into running. Another seemed to be trying not to put it's rear right foot down although not noticeably limping (still photo). Ok can't upload video but I'll send to Bea

Monday 12th February

 All 41 sheep found in the Eastern Compartment and looking healthy.

19 of the sheep were quite close to Gate 13 ,which was open, but all still in the compartment when I got there. 

Gate 13 doesn't close on its own, you need to close it manually so I guess a walker hadn't done this.

Water troughs and sheep nuts okay.

No dogs or walkers seen on the reserve (and a lot less on Clarendon Way than usual).

Sunday 11t February

We visited both Saturday & Sunday.

All of the 41 sheep were present, they all looked ok (with no limps or coughs).

Water levels in the troughs are all good.

All of the gates (that lead into the areas where the sheep are) are fine – no issues to report on those.

We didn’t see any dog walkers in the sheep enclosure area.

One thing that Will and I did spot, was a damaged gate (No 12?) this is on the top footpath on the western edge of the wooded area, at the top of the Down 

Pippa      pp. Will Hacking & Paul Pethica

Friday 9th February

 All 41 sheep ok and together near silver birch trees. Gates 5, 13 and 14 not fastened.

One walker with 2 dogs - old one not on lead but nevertheless had a polite word!

Tim

Wednesday 7 Feb

All 41 sheep accounted for and in good health. A few of them had this stuff in their coats: 

I think it's just seeds and rubble, but I thought I'd pass it on just in case. A few of them were also dragging branches behind them.

Troughs seem to be working and there's plenty of nuts.

I had a look down the eastern fence. I think I found the tree mentioned in a previous post (it's only a little off the main track) but as they said the sheep can't get out. It's more resting on the fence than having done any damage to it. Some of the posts further down are a bit wobbly but again not an immediate concern.

Didn't see anyone in either compartment.

Tuesday 6th Feb

All sheep gathered on the lower slopes of east compartment, all looked fine, water fine , nuts low, no walkers

Monday 5th February

 All 41 sheep found and healthy (39 were close to the open gate between the Central and East Compartments, 2 WFWs were high up just on the Eastern side of the Central/East fence).

Just a few sheep nuts left.

Both water troughs are full, I checked and the ball cock is working on the Central water trough, but I couldn't check the Eastern trough ball cock as the lid is screwed down).

Note: high up on the Eastern fence of the Eastern Compartment there is a large tree down on the fence.

The sheep can't currentlyget out but it is worth keeping an eye on.

No walkers or dogs seen on nature reserve.

Saturday 3rd February

 All present and correct.  They all look great, Water butt full, sheep nuts given….we had a lovely time!

Pippa        pp. Chris & Debs Barlow

Friday 2nd February

 All 41 sheep together (by the double gate). No problems except 1 Shetland (which has already lost a bit of coat) was obviously itching because it kept rubbing against the gate posts).

2 walkers with dogs (outside the grazing areas). Gates and trough OK. Dustbin just under quarter full.

Tim