Sun 31 Dec

 Lovely afternoon between the showers. All 38x accounted for. No limpers. No concerns.

Happy New Year to you all.

Saturday 30th December

 Greeted by a flock of goldfinches as we slithered along the muddy path. All 38 sheep moving well and looking fine in the bottom corner of the Eastern meadow with 6 deer higher up the slope. Gates all secure.

Met just three dog walkers this time, not surprising as a wet and windy morning and the puddles are getting more extensive. Picked up 4 cans, a vodka bottle and empty dog poo bags plus bits of plastic especially around the benches. 

Anne and Tim

Friday 29th December

Sheep were split into three groups this morning across the eastern field. 22 were grazing in the valley floor near the western edge. 3 were halfway up the slope but decided to follow me to the other 13 closer to the eastern side. It was around here I found 4 practice golf balls and a dog ball. Slightly concerning as the dog ball was too far in the field for most people to be able to throw. However, the sheep were all fine with nothing untoward to report. Fences and gates secure. Counted 11 roe deer. Buzzard was back on the central fence and there was a kestrel out and about.

Wednesday 27th December

Thanks to Storm Gerrit, apart from the sheep, I had the meadows to myself. 38 sheep all grazing on the eastern side of the eastern field mainly in the valley bottom. All well with no issues to report. Fences and gates secure. 3 roe deer grazing in the west field, one hunched buzzard on the central fence and plenty of meadow pipits around.

Boxing Day

 Doing cover duty today at Barton Meadows - made a pleasant change from wading through water! 

All 38 sheep fine and moving well sharing a Boxing Day lunch with 6 deer. Fences and gates secure. Lots of people walking round the outside of the reserve making the most of the dry sunny morning.

Christmas greetings and a Happy New Year to Sam and all regular volunteers.

Anne and Ti.

Friday 22nd November

 All seem to be fine on a miserable grey day, spread across the eastern side of the field.

Friday 22nd December staff check

Final site check for me this year. Lambs all looking good and alert.

Skylarks and meadow pipits present.

Footpath and boundary all okay.

No dead pigeons.

Thank you all for your help this year. See you all in 2024!

Sam

Thursday 21st December

 Posting on behalf of Hadrian:

Sheep and site all okay.

Wednesday 20th December

 38 counted. They were spread over the slope below the houses grazing and all moving well. No concerns.

Tuesday look missed 19th December

 I’m very sorry, but not been able to visit the lambs today. I’ve twisted my ankle this morning and it’s a bit too painful to walk on at the moment. 

Sat 16 Dec

 All 38x sheep accounted for. No limpers. 2x with quite messy back ends. Otherwise no concerns.

6x roe

2x buzzards

1x wallet belonging to Sam

Wednesday 13th December

 38 counted. all spread out the far side of the field in the dip. All moving well and no limping seen.

Tuesday 12th December

Only a quick visit today, sorry. No signs of limping and all lambs accounted for. 

Sat 09 and Sun 10 Dec

 All 38x accounted for. All together, no limpers, no concerns. Conditions were surprisingly not awful on the meadows this weekend. 

9x roe. 1x mistle thrush.

Thursday December 7thv

 Pretty miserable conditions in Barton meadow today . Much wind blown rain and mist driving across the landscape. The lambs were all at the top of the northern part of the field in the short grass area . They were well spread out but to my slight surprise came across to me quickly when called. All 38 accounted for . No one limping and all looking fine . 8 roe seen 

Julian bevis

Wednesday 6th December

 Much drier today. All 38 were grazing in the dip or on the side  near the houses. No limpers seen and all moving well.

Monday & Tuesday Visit

 Visited Monday 4th & briefly on 5th December 2023.

On both occasions all 38 sheep were counted with no noticeable injuries or signs of limping. Monday 4th was incredibly wet and not the best conditions for walking around the meadows. Tuesday 5th was still damp and muddy under foot, but a little more manageable. When I arrived the the sheep were spread high up on the hill side towards the northern section adjacent to Wellhouse lane.

Sun 03 Dec

 All 38x counted. All seem fine. No limping. They were spread out when I arrived but grouped together before running over to greet me when I called them. No concerns.

8x roe

Still no ravens seen.

Or brown hare. Was it 2016 the reserve was established? It's time hares made an appearance, surely..?

Friday December 1st

Inducting Grant as our Monday looker. Welcome Grant :)

Lambs all looking good and responding to the bucket well still. Trough was a bit frozen over. Please remember to check the troughs and break/remove ice if necessary.

Thanks all,

Sam