Unable to do check on Saturday 19th September

 I’m sorry but I’m up in Yorkshire next weekend so won’t be able to check on the sheep. Back to normal the following Saturday 

Monday 14th Sept

 Sorry I forgot to check on Monday but have since walked around the field and not seen any issues.

A very satisfactory visit to our lambs today

 The lambs were nicely spaced so I easily counted 24. I had to climb over the fence as I couldn’t open the padlock. A passer-by reminded me it was a private area and I told him what I was doing. I thanked him for caring about the site, and then he recognised me from years ago. I found the lamb treats and took the bucket down to them in the dip, calling all the way, and rattling the bucket. As I got closer some of them put their heads up to see what was going on. I showed them what was in the bucket and they raced up to me and put their heads in the bucket, eventually knocking it over. I was going to leave the bucket but turned back to fetch it, and 2 of the lambs ran up to me even though I had nothing in my hands! I am now officially a lamb whisperer!

The bucket is now back with the tin of nuts.

reserve update

We had a digger down for the day. The digger was used to create scrapes. Exposing and chalk for early succession species that rely on bare chalk, quite specialist and rare associations. The excess material was either spread where we hay cut or used to create a south facing bank which is favourable to an mixture of inverts. 

We also dug pits and installed woody debris in layers with soil. These create hibernaculums for herptilian and on this site primarily common lizard and slow worm.

Thanks all,

Sam

Thursday 10th September

Trough full and all lambs accounted for and looking well

Wednesday 9th September

 24 sheep counted, near the top of the field. Showed no interest in the bucket or me.I left it and walked away but they just wandered off in the other direction. Think this may take a while.....

Monday 7th Sept

 The shyest sheep I can remember , for the first few days they had been staying very close to the gate at the north west corner of the field but today had ventured into the middle of the field which is also longer than I've seen it before at this time of year. All 24 accounted for , looking healthy. Didn't get time for sheep nuts. @sheila theres a box in the gap between the two fields.