31st January Poster

With Sam's permission I have put a poster on the noticeboard by the Courtenay Road entrance advertising the events organised by the Winchester Local Area Volunteers for HIWWT.  We hope you will come and join us on one of our events this winter/ spring.  

I noticed 9 deer munching in the western meadow - wonder if this is where the Winnall Moors ones have gone to. Just two seen there this morning.

Anne Ardill 

Wednesday 31st January

 The lone cow has now been allowed to join the herd again. They were all towards the top of the field near the electric fence, mainly laying down. No concerns. Electric fence is working.

Sunday 28th January

Had a work party today so checked the cows including the lonesome cow 30007. Odd behaviour but no obvious signs of any issues. As Chris has highlighted it might well be establishing hierarchy and the cows been shunned a little.

Grazing team made aware and we will continue to monitor.

Thanks for your time,

Sam

Sat 27 Jan

 All 14x cows seem fine and evenly spread out. The noisy one could be adjusting to the new hierarchy or location, etc.

I've broken the ice on the trough, but the supply pipe is frozen.

Dan has said he'll check it again at midday.

Friday 26th Jan

 One of the cows is isolated from the herd and my neighbours told me that two others were chasing her. Clearly something not quite right as she didn't react when another dog walkers dog barked at her. I dont' have the tag number but do have a photograph, this one.

Grazing Team-6 extra cattle

Today we delivered 6 more cattle on to site making a total of 14.

Tuesday 23rd Jan

 Hi all,

8 cows have now arrived to Barton Meadows from St Caths. 

An electric fence has been installed to keep them on the uncut area of the meadows. On your rounds please check it is working, to do so please go to the western end and find the energiser, is flashes green if working, red if not.

Thanks for your time,

Sam

Tuesday 23rd January

 Quick visit to Barton Meadows today as the wind was picking up and very wet. No problems seen 

Monday 15th Jan 2024 - Barton Meadows

A delightful walk around the site today with the sun shining and barely a cloud in sight. However it was very cold with the artic winds coming in from a northerly direction. Paths were manageable with the cold hardening the surface in many places. 8+ deer in the first field closest to the train track. 

Friday, 5 January 2024

 The Meadows are looking rather bare without the sheep. However, despite the slight drop in temperature, it is feeling quite mild with reduced rain and wind. 10 roe deer occupy both of the fields. As expected wet and muddy underfoot, but overall the site is looking well despite the awful weather we have had.

Thursday 9th January (work party)

We had a team 6 people working at Barton Meadows today.

An electric fence has been erected to keep the cows on the uncut section of East meadow, when they arrive.

The rest of the team worked on the fence line removing sycamore and buddleia, undesirable and invasive species which will encroach into the meadow. The shrub and tree species were removed by using tree poppers which pull out the roots, leaving some disturbed and exposed soil. I'll monitor this area in summer to see if arable weeds become apparent. Hopefully doing some habitat work much like a wild boar would!

Most of the material has been moved to the education area where it will be burnt by the Tuesday volunteer team.

Thanks,

Sam

Tuesday 9th January

 Checked the site today. Still some ice on the paths, but not too bad and paths clear of debris. Missed not having the lambs running over to say hi. No deer today, but I did see 5 squirrels in the trees and a buzzard. 

Thursday 4th January - All Sheep OFF

Hi All, 

We've taken all the 38 sheep off to other Grazing. 

Thank you for keeping an eye on them. There should be cattle on again in the coming months, we'll keep you informed when they are due on. 

Thank you for keeping an eye on them! 

Grazing Team 

Wednesday 3rd January

 The sheep were in the smaller field in the dip, mostly laying down. 38 counted, all moving well and looking contented. One golf ball found.

Tuesday 2nd Jan (staff check)

 Hi all,

Very windy today! Plenty of trees down on route to site, thankfully nothing down on site. Please inform me if this changes.

The 38 lambs were all looking in good condition, one has horns growing into its face so a preventative procedure will be undertaken in order to reduce a negative impact from occurring. This will be done when the lambs are taken off site.

I've moved the lambs into the western compartment

All the best,

Sam