Monday 30th September

All sheep accounted for today. The lamb which has fly strike was hanging its head and wasn't looking too happy when I saw it. Phoned the grazing team and Ned came out about an hour later, when we went back it looked absolutely fine! Definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Saturday 28th September

All 41x accounted for. It took a nice long walk to locate them because they were back up in the corner by the railway arch.

They all came to the bucket, so got a good look at  them. No concerns. Some messy back ends, to monitor. #93 now completely bare on rear left leg/flank, but the wound is healing.

Wednesday 25th September

41 counted.All moving well including #93.Several have dirty backsides but no concerns at present.

Monday 23rd September

All looked OK. Sorry for the late post! They can be very difficult to find when they want to be!

Sunday 22nd September

All 41x accounted for. All looking comfortable and no concerns.

The wound site on #93 is not as clean as yesterday, but no flies and she's stopped nibbling at it so often.

There were two others with slightly messy back ends, but not a cause for concern. I'll keep an eye on them.

Saturday 21st September

All 41x accounted for. All looking well, grouped together, inquisitive when I approached, no concerns.

This was a morning check, but no flies visible on #93.

Friday 20th September

Well, the sheep are certainly more friendly... All looking good. Only #93 giving any concern. The wound site is much better, but weeping and the flies are back. I've called it through to Ellie (at 3pm on a Friday.....) will report it to the grazing team. Because they're so friendly now, it may be possible to bring them all in with a bucket and grab her rather than have to round them all up.

Monday 16th September

All sheep looking good. The bucket training is going well!

Sunday 15th September

All 41x accounted for, happy at the Worthy end of the eastern field.

#93 looking much better and keeping up with the flock this morning. Wound site looking better.

No other concerns.

Saturday pm

#93 looking ok. Still separated, but moving more easily than yesterday.

I could only count 40x in total, but they were in and around the long grass. Will try again later.

Saturday 14th September (am)

All 41x accounted for.

#93 was with the others, looking unwell, but sporting its new green spray on the wound site. This was an early morning check, but there was no sign of flies on it.

No concerns with the rest of the flock. They were split into two groups at opposite ends of the eastern field.

I aim to get out again this afternoon.

Friday 13th September

All 41x accounted for and grazing and moving around comfortably.

#93 was completely separated from the flock (opposite side of the field) and is being bothered by flies around the existing wound site. I called it through to Ellie in case the previous treatment may no longer be preventing eggs/maggots from establishing.

I gently returned #93 to the flock.

Otherwise all good and the older sheep are helping the others be more confident around people.

Thursday 12th

6 wethers added to group to teach lambs to come to feed ( and how to be rounded up nice and easily for the Grazing Team).

Thanks

Tom
Grazing Officer

Wednesday 11th September

All 35x accounted for. The poorly lamb is clearly improving, standing slightly detached from the herd, but nearby and grazing. It was walking quite stiffly, so there may be discomfort with the back legs. There were certainly no flies around it.

All others looked well, no concerns. I could walk within 6m of them today, so they are getting more used to us.

Monday 9th September

All 35 lambs present. The one that had fly strike looks well but seems a bit sore on the back left leg, from reading previous posts this was where the worst of it was so to be expected. I have opened the gate between the two meadows as they were back in the eastern compartment when I went up today. I think they will just do what they want!

The lambs won't get out of the fencing in the eastern compartment, there are just gaps where small dogs could get in if they wanted to. As these gaps are actually mammal tracks I am hesitant to close them off unless we do begin to see issues arising.

Follow up to Sun 8th Sept pm.......

To answer my own question, no they should not be in the eastern enclosure - which I think still has a hole in the fencing near Worthy Rd.

To get through, they've simply walked under the wire beneath the power lines.

I untied the gate and walked them back through to their normal field. As it was getting dark, they didn't want to move far from the field entrance and I didn't want to unsettle them by trying. I expect they will be back in the eastern enclosure tomorrow..

Sun 8th Sept pm check

All 35x lambs in the eastern enclosure, grouped in the top corner (nearest Headbourne Worthy) but relaxed and grazing.

#93 is making progress, with the flock this time and grazing too. Her movement looks less painful too.

No other concerns.

I assume they're supposed to be in the eastern field now..? But they've messed up the bug traps that had been left under the pylon...

Sunday 8th am check

All sheep present. The two fly stricken lambs sheep were looking healthier than yesterday. Although, the worse of lamb was separate from the flock again. But when approached it rejoined the flock.

Sam

Saturday 7th

Hi all,

All 35 present. The particularly unwell lamb was separate from the herd by around 20m. Approached it and it managed to get up and rejoin the herd. Obviously still unwell but mobile and grazing a little which is good to see.

Sam

Friday 6th September

I met with Rachel on site and we assessed the progress of the affected lamb. It is looking sorry for itself and there is a 4" area of sore skin visible through the fleece on its left rear leg/rump. Ned's advice is on the previous post.

The other 34x are all looking well and the other lamb that was showing early fly strike is looking much cleaner. No sign of flies around any of them.

They were tightly grouped when we arrived today, but are starting to show more confidence and allowed Rachel and I to walk quite close as we left.

After speeking to Rachel and conferring with jack about the lambs the ones affected will take about a week or so to get back up to being ok. They have all been sprayed so the flys won't return  however the affected lambs will be agitated and not looking as good as they should for a while. Keeping an eye on them will be really important as they get better. Thanks. Ned

Lamb With Fly Treated (#93)

After several attempts, Nick and I rounded up the rather flighty lambs yesterday. The one described by Chris did have fly strike and another would soon of had it. Fly strike is a very serious condition and without treatment would have caused fairly rapid death. All were treated yesterday so this should not be a problem for the rest of the season. The product used is pretty potent so I advise not handling the lambs for a good week or so. If there is anything requiring handling, just report it to us and we will come out. Thanks again for spotting this and calling it in Chris Jack

Wednesday 4th Sept

Sheep much more spread out today, so trickier to count but eventually made 35.

Of the two sheep spotted yesterday with messy back ends, one is looking worse today and very slow to get up when I approached. Flies are evident. I have rung through to Rachel, who confirmed Jack + Nick are on their way.

All the rest appear fine, moving, grazing and interacting normally, enjoying the warm weather.

Tuesday 3rd Sept

All 35x sheep were sitting in their corner by the railway arch. All flocking normally and moving naturally when disturbed. Two had very messy back ends, and one seemed to be bothered by it. I will ring this through on Ellie's mobile.