All 50 sheep accounted for . Saw at least three with limps of varying degrees of severity . No idea I am afraid as to whether these are the same ones as previously mentioned but hopefully the treatment yesterday will deal with all this. Otherwise no obvious issues . Trough fine
Julian bevis
All 50 in Barton meadow accounted for . Two animals limping . One looking quite lame ; it’s off fore seems very sore. One other with a very minor limp; one of the forelegs seemed not quite right but hard to tell which . Otherwise all fine . All animals grazing ok and seemingly happy with their surroundings . All a great deal less nervous than a few days back and much more inquisitive . Trough fine
Julian bevis
All 50 accounted for. I noticed that the scruffy one with fur missing had blood on his nose, may have caught it in the barbed wired as they had just walked up to the trough at the top of the field. I'll check it again tomorrow.
Counted late on Friday and early Saturday morning and there are 50 sheep, wasn't able to inspect the lame one.
50 counted. They were much much more lively and friendlier than last week. No limpers either, they looked very content in the sunshine.
Sheep were well spread out across the north facing slope when I arrived . 50 accounted for. All looking very well and clearly enjoying the warmth of the sun . No limpers seen. Trough working fine .
Julian bevis
All 50x counted today and no concerns. They nearly all rushed over to the bucket today, which feels like nice progress.
One of the flock (without horns) was way out on its own and only rejoined when I rounded it up. I couldn't see anything obviously wrong, but it had a yellow left ear tag and so wasn't the limper (which I couldn't spot today).
A small number had darker back ends, but looked like ewes staining rather than scours.
All 50x counted and all seem well. The limper is still limping, but no concerns.
One of my neighbours shared this picture of a common lizard basking on the bench by the education area.
The morning mist has cleared by midday and the lambs were enjoying the sunshine . All spread out on the south facing slope grazing happily. All 50 accounted for. One or two seen to be limping but only for a short while after getting up so would hope this nothing more than stiff legs caused by inactivity . Otherwise all looking fine . Trough working ok.
Julian bevis
It took a while to count them but I eventually got to 50.They seem more settled now and not particularly bothered by my presence. One is still limping ( front left ) quite badly.
The sheep were a great deal less excitable today, making them much easier to count . Whether this is the influence of the wise old ewe, the bucket training started yesterday or them just getting used to their new surroundings I wouldn’t hazard a guess . Either way though there was mercifully much less dashing about than last week and all 50 were accounted for . They all looked fine and while a couple of them limped slightly when they stood up I think this is principally down to those affected having been lying awkwardly as the symptoms wore off fairly quickly . All of them grazing well and looking alert and engaged . Their trough is working ok
Julian bevis
I couldn't see anyone on the rota for Mondays, so I popped out in my lunch break. I'm sorry if someone's already checked today.
All 50x counted and no concerns with any of them, although a couple were slightly lame.
I had time for a bit of bucket training. The old Shetland knew the score, but the others weren't sure and became quite flighty as they got closer to me. However, I left them rooting around for sheep nuts, so think they'll learn quite quickly.
A lovely, fresh, bright, early-autumn morning. All 50x counted. #94 (?) which has no yellow left ear tag, looks slightly better than yesterday, but still limping. No concerns.
All 50x counted. They were settled and seemed content this morning - no concerns.
Most were lying down, so I gently approached them to watch as they moved. One of the smaller lambs was limping on its front left - I think the ear tag was #94, but it was hard to read from a distance (beige text on brown tags this year). Pic below - not helpful! I'm not concerned, so didn't ring it through. Last year we had lots of limpers when they first came onto the meadows, but the grazing team couldn't find a cause. We eventually decided that woody plants in the meadow mix were irritating their feet. I'll check on it again tomorrow.
Lovely to have them back.
The lambs were rather easier to count today as there was much less running around going on. Not sure why this should be . Either way I accounted for all 49 without too much trouble . The grazing team added a mature ewe while I was there , the theory I gather being that this grown up animal will teach the other more excitable youngsters that humans are actually friendly and helpful and should not be run away from at every turn .. it will be interesting to see how this works in practice . The lambs all looked fine and there were no limpers that I could see . Their trough is working fine . Have a good weekend
Julian bevis
Good to be back at Barton meadow . Counting the lambs proved a case of easier said than done but I got there in the end . I am pretty confident that the 49 are all still there although let’s hope that subsequent events don’t prove me wrong . They all look well albeit not yet settled in their new accommodation and therefore rather prone to taking flight at the slightest provocation .
Julian bevis
