A New Flock!

The Hebridean sheep, Thor and his flock, were rounded up last week to be taken back to Gam Farm for the winter months. The ewes are all in lamb and will be best looked after on the farm under the watchful eye of their owners. They have been easy to look after and are all in good health after spending the summer months grazing on the heathland and wetland.

Volunteers helped to move them to the edge of the wet meadows where the trailer was waiting for them. Not an easy job with so many ponds to negotiate!

It is hoped that Thor and his group will return in the spring but until then, six young Hebrideans (black) along with two Shetland sheep (brown) are on loan and will continue to carry out an important conservation role on the reserve.

Down in the heart of the reserve, work has continued on coppicing the Willow Carr and two students from Askham Bryan College have been making good use of the cut stems by creating a new Willow fence alongside a net ride.

This is a skill that has been learned on their course and one which they are keen to put into practice. The project is in the early planning stage and we look forward to seeing the end product in a few weeks time…no pressure!