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
