Thursday November 30th

 Grey and cold today . A chill east wind and the occasional snowflake spinning down . The lambs seemingly weren’t put off by the weather and were all grazing happily. They were spread out across the middle of the field from the top of the north facing slope to the middle of the south facing slope. 38 accounted for . . Being spread out it was impossible to see if there were any stragglers but I don’t think so . When they saw me they all came across to say hello and it was clear that no one was limping, there is one with a slightly sore off hind leg but I don’t think it’s terribly serious. Otherwise they are fine and the one that had fly strike now looks fine . 

Two roe deer seen 

Please note that I am away on Monday December 4th and so will be unable to check Barton . If anyone is willing to cover in my stead I will of course cover for them at a future date whenever is needed

Wednesday 29th November

 Half the sheep were up near the houses, and the others in the dip. All 38 moving well, no problems seen.

Monday November 27th

 The lambs were widely spread out across the south facing slope today. All of them in the Lon grass area . 38 accounted for . No obvious stragglers and no one with an obvious limp. All grazing fine and looking well

Please note that I will be away next Monday December 4th so will be unable to check Barton that day . If anyone can do this in my stead it would be much appreciated . I will of course repay the compliment ! 

Julian bevis 

Sat 25 Nov

 All 38x accounted for. No limpers seen. All seem fine. No concerns.

6x roe

Zero ravens :-(

Thursday November 23rd

 The lambs were spread out across the south facing slope when I arrived in the beautifully sunlit field today . Most of them over towards the median fence line . A few lying down but most of them grazing happily in the sun. No one separated from the main group . I saw no signs of anyone limping . The animal that had strike is harder to identify now as the fleece has grown back to a large extent and it’s walking much better . All 38 accounted for . 

No deer seen today 

Julian bevis 

Tuesday 21st November

 The lambs were split into 2 groups, one in the middle of the meadow and the other on the slope to the south towards Abbots Barton. 4 came running over before I even got close, followed by ½ the lambs, and the rest when they noticed something was going on. Lots of sniffs and coat nibbles, and even some nuzzling. One sheep holding back a bit, but did join in the sheep nut search. Didn’t notice any limping, but still holding back a bit. Was followed almost all the way back to the gate by 4 lambs. 7 roe deer seen plus a raven.  

I have an appointment next Tuesday and won’t be able to look, can someone cover for me, or swap? 

Annette 

Monday November 20th

 The lambs were in two groups today . One of 18 was up at the top of the long grass area in the north east corner close to the path. All grazing fine and looking well. No one isolated from the main group and no signs of anyone limping 

The second group of 20 was down towards the bottom of the south facing slope . They too were reasonably close together so again no obvious outliers . All grazing fine and no one limping . 

Four roe deer seen 

Julian bevia 

Friday 17th November

 Lovely bright sunshine today, all 38 accounted for but I didn't see the limper. Does anyone know what number she is?

Thursday November 16th

 The lambs were widely scattered when I arrived this morning . They were in ones and twos from the top of the north facing slope across the dip in the centre of the field and up to the path going up the eastern side of the paddock. Accordingly impossible to determine whether any one animal was out on its own . When they saw me and started to move down to say hello it was obvious that they were all fine apart from one which I am sure Is the same one as Has been reported before . Still unable to keep up and limping noticeably . It doesn’t seem too discomfited though as it was grazing ok and eventually rejoined the main group so hopefully no immediate drama. All 38 accounted for 

Julian bevis 

Wednesday 15th November

 The sheep were spread out towards the top of the field, many laying down in the sunshine. The poorly one mentioned previously was apart from the others, but got up and was moving and grazing ok.  They all came over to me, no problems otherwise.

Tuesday 14th - Grazing Team Limper Check

Hi All, 

We came to check on the reported sheep Grazing away from the others. We've spotted the lamb who looks like he's got a sprain, limping on back left.

Please continue to keep an eye on him, we expect he will improve on his own (still keeping up with flock) we will come back later in the week to assess again if he hasn't improved. 

Didn't notice any lambs with distended bellys. We also checked on the lamb who was in poor condition when we wormed them (green spray on back) he's put on weight and is looking in better condition.

Grazing Team

Monday November 13th

 All 38 accounted for . They were spread out across the western end of the north facing slope when I arrived but when they saw me they rushed down the slope to see whether I was bearing gifts . All of them looking fine apart from one which couldn’t keep up and is moving with a very awkward gait . I couldn’t get close enough to see the tag number but an reasonably sure that this is the one that had strike during the warmer weather and which was recently reported as not looking great . I did try and call this in but got into a loop of recorded messages so eventually gave up as a report had been made the day before . 

8 roe deer seen 

Julian bevis 

Sat 11 Nov

 All 38x accounted for.

I had concerns about the one that had bad fly strike before and still has fleece missing from it's back - couldn't read the ear tag , but it's easy to identify. It was separated from the rest of the flock when I arrived, moved very slowly and awkwardly to follow the rest when they came over to see me. I couldn't spot lameness on a specific leg, but it has a very messy back end and significant swelling or distension on its right hand side. I've called this through to the grazing team.

Friday 10th November

 All 38 sheep appear to be fine. I didn't see any dead pigeons either, I doubt it's poachers they would surely take them home. Not heard any gun shots at all and we back onto the field.

Reserve Update

 Hi all,

Regarding the matter of the dead pigeons on site. More have been reported dead on site. This could be poachers or bird flu.

I've contacted the police and they've given me this information on an active person committing crime: 

A Silver Vauxhall Zafira Registration WR52 BWY is active in crime across the county.

If this vehicle is seen please report it to the police and let me know. Of course, this may not be the case and it could be something else but just so you are aware.

Regards,

Sam

Wednesday 8th November

 Took a while to find them but eventually spotted them at the far top corner. They all ran over then headed down to the middle of the field in a group, presumably to try and find shelter from the wind and rain.          38 counted, all looking good, no stragglers.         

Tuesday 7th November 2023

 The lambs were mostly together today, although the herd was a bit spread out. They were in the middle of the meadow and all came running over when they saw me. All seemed happy and there was no signs of limping or any other problems, all 38 counted. A lot of sniffing my boots and a few braver lambs sniffed my arms and hands. 5 roe deer at the north end of the meadow. No dead pigeon seen. 

Sat 04 Nov

 All 38x accounted for. All came running over when they saw me. All grouped together, no limping, no concerns.

10x roe.

Network Rail have cleared the tree that had fallen from the embankment. The meadows stock fencing seems undamaged.

I've asked on the neighbourhood group (50+ households adjacent to the meadows) and nobody had anything to offer on the dead pigeons. I wonder whether it could be rat poison that someone's left out, but not in a bird-proof container - it's been an autumn for rats. The pigeons roost in the beech trees, so could be dying from poisoning and dropping out of the trees. Just a theory, I've no evidence for it.

Friday 3rd November

 All 38 appear to be ok after heavy storm last night. Tree down on the embankment, network rail aware.

Reserve Update 1st November

 Hi all,

I've had a report come through off finding dead pigeons on site. Particularly the south/west region, around the paths. 

I've asked the person who has reported it to report this to the police and once I have an incident number I'll let you know. 

Please check this area for anymore dead birds found. Please also let me know if you are aware of this or have any further information. 

Thanks for your time,

Sam

02/11 tree reported to be down on west boundary along train line. It has been reported to network rail and they are investigating the issue.

Wednesday 1st November

 38 counted, all spread across the middle of the field. All moving well and  grazing in groups. No problems seen.