At the end of the summer we usually put the sheep down the south end of the island for a couple of months. This allows the northern pastures to ‘have a break’ and by keeping them off it for around 3 months allows the worm burden to drop significantly which means we use less chemical wormer through the year which is better for our dung and soil invertebrates which are a key component of the chough’s diet
The sheep welcome the change of scene too and they can enjoy a different type of grass and lay down some reserves for the winter. They help the ponies to keep the coarse purple moor grass (molinia) in check in the boggy areas around the ponds and their trampling is also good for our nationally scarce water plants that like open, well poached ponds to thrive.
However after a few months in ‘the south’ it is time to bring them back to their northern home where we can keep a closer eye on them and feed them if it gets too tough over winter. They are 1 or 2 year old Welsh Mountain sheep (either Lleyn x Glamorgan or Cheviot x Glamorgan (my favourite!) crosses with a few Welsh Mules (Welsh x Blue Faced Leicester) still knocking about – basically the Mules were molly lambs that Lisa won’t let go even though they are 5 years old now!....)
Normally gathering them up from the north is relatively straight forward as we are just dealing with open fields but down south we have acres of heather to contend with, the western cliffs and the 450ft Carn Llundain. It was a daunting task when Dewi and I set out yesterday morning but after a day and half we had everything in (I say ‘everything’ but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few pop up tomorrow morning that have evaded us!) – the dog was worth his weight in gold and the job would not have been possible without him (at least not without a team of 10!) - he set off up Carn Llundain this morning at a rate of knots to get the last 'rouge' flock that was evading us - I was exhausted just watching him! There was a stiff wind blowing so he was soon out of ear and whistle shot and I just had to rely on his instinct to know what to do. I needn't have worried, after a few minutes he had this last few gathered and was bringing them back down the hill to me.
Once in we gave them a good check over and wormed them in case they had picked any up in the heathland. Going back onto what is now clean pasture should mean we don’t have to worm them again for some time.
Dewi with sheep
Ready to go through the race to be checked over and wormed
Form an orderly queue around the dog please!
GM and LM relieved that the job is over!