Sheep Count

On Wednesday our ecologist Andy Perry, accompanied by the Rangers and a group of volunteers carried out another sheep count across the property. This involves splitting into small groups, each with a designated route to walk, and marking on a map the number of sheep in each area. This is to help maintain a suitable level of grazing on the hill. Andy joined Dave the ranger in the Landrover and counted the sheep along the plateau. The weather was clear and sunny, which produced some lovely photo opportunities; some sheep even joined one of our Placement Rangers for lunch! (see picture below)

Sheep Counts

A couple of weeks ago National Trust staff and volunteers checked the whole of the Long Mynd in order to count the sheep. The Long Mynd is mostly common land where about 15 farmers have the rights to graze their sheep, however in the past the Mynd has suffered from over grazing so in order to protect the area grazing has to be controlled and the number of sheep limited. To monitor the numbers the National Trust undertakes a sheep count a few times every year.

Hebridean Sheep

Carding Mill Valley has its own collection of sheep used for conservation grazing, recently Rangers had the fun job of trimming their feet (without getting a horn in their side). These sheep can live for about 12 years and need some careful pampering every now and then.

Walcot Woods

Staff and volunteers visited Walcot today to see how the woodland is progressing. When the land was originally purchased in 1995, it was very overgrown. Now, thanks to careful management from staff, volunteers and sheep, the woodland is bursting with wildflowers. It is a beautiful area, with lots of flora and fauna, well worth a look!

Has Spring Sprung?

If you're in the valley soon keep your eye out for these lovely lambs! We've counted 6 so far, how many can you see?

Feet Trimming

Isabel, Richard, Nick and Dave headed over to Walcot last week to visit our hebrideans that are currently grazing there. Its been a year since they last had their feet trimmed, so all 12 were treated to a pedicure!

Trimming their feet doesn't hurt, and is important to stop their feet becoming overgrown. It is also a good opportunity to check the general health of the sheep.

All the sheep are perfectly healthy, and after their feet were done they were happy to get back to their jobs: eating!

Sheep of Pride Rock

This sheep was enjoying some sunshine today! Hopefully not the last of the year!

Nosy Sheep

Lots of people are interested in what we do here at Carding Mill Valley, and apparently so are the sheep! These sheep wandered into the yard and had a good look around, but left pretty quick when they were interrupted!



Happy Sheep

The sheep we keep in the Batch Valley are protected by standards set by legislation called Freedom Foods. A recent inspection by the RSPCA told us we have 'the best possible husbandry standards', which we are very happy with!



One of our beautiful Herbidean Sheep



Sheep Off to Wenlock Edge

 This morning 13 of the Hebridean Sheep who currently live in Batch Valley were taken to Wenlock Edge, where they will graze a field with some of their friends for Rangers Chris and Al. This was FTVs Isabel and Rich's first experience handling the sheep, and job they definitely enjoyed! Once their job is completed the sheep will return to Batch Valley.



FTV Isabel prepares to start moving the sheep





Long Mynd Lambs

We have had some strange weather for the past few months; roasting sun then hail in a matter of minutes! Even with the inclement weather you can see the little lambs making the most of it by sunbathing when the chance arises and sheltering between large tree roots when the weather gets worst.



Two lambs huddling together from the wind.



Hebredean Update

Our flock of Hebridean sheep are doing well and are currently grazing in the Batch valley. Recently hedge planting has been done in this field by volunteers as part of landscape improvement for HLS (Higher Level Stewardship Scheme).

Our New Stock Handler

Today our new stock handler arrived, it came through the Higher Level Stewardship scheme and will make it easier for us to round up and handle our flock of Hebredeans.

Stock handler demonstration.



Feeding The Sheep

Now that the cold weather has arrived and grazing is tougher due to the ground frost, we supplement their food with a mix of sheep feed.

FTV Tom feeding the sheep



Hebredean Sheep in Walcot Wood

12 Hebredean sheep are currently grazing Walcot Wood, they are eating the regrowth off of the stumps of trees which have been cut by volunteers and staff. The aim is to get the wood back to wood pasture by conserving the veteran trees and removing the understorey layer.

Hebridean Sheep Update

Some of our new Hebridean sheep have gone to Wenlock edge, this meant they needed to be tagged. The rangers and some volunteers Dave, Nick, Lucy, Kate and Tom tagged the sheep and separated them into two groups. Five were taken to Wenlock Edge and ten stayed at the Batch valley.


Kate, Dave and Lucy organising the tags



Tom trying to find the right ones



New Hebridean Sheep

Fifteen new Hebridean sheep have been picked up from Chirk and brought to the Batch Valley, their role is to graze the valley to keep species such as Bracken down and to encourage wild flowers. This is a traditional management tool on the pasture and the sheep are also a traditional breed.

Trimming Sheep's Feet

Wenlock Assistant Ranger Chris Dunkerley

Last Wednesday saw our flock of Hebridean Sheep get their feet trimmed. This takes place every 3-6 months and Carding Mill Valley Rangers Dave, Nick, Matt and Rose were joined by Wenlock Assistant Ranger Chris Dunkerley. 34 sheep have been kept at the Batch over the winter to allow them to be fed during the worse weather and also housed in the barn if necessary. Now that spring is here (although you wouldn't have thought it) 6 of the flock have been moved to Lea Quarry along Wenlock Edge to graze there.

Matt and Rose getting to grips with trimming the larger sheep's feet using the crush.