At Winterbourne Down, its not just people that manage the reserve (although I think we do our fair share!) We also get plenty of help from some friendly farm animals. And this week has seen the arrival of hundreds of new recruits!
On Monday, we had a delivery of 18 Dexter cattle. We are borrowing these teddy bear like creatures from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. They are really important in the chalk grassland management. As the flower seeds start to ripen and drop at the end of the summer, these guys are brought in to clear away the bulky mass of vegetation, and to create small seed bed where next years flowers can germinate, by lightly poaching the ground with their hooves. They spend a couple of weeks in each field before moooving on to the next.
WWT Dexter Cattle set to work
Today even more help arrived in the form of 319 North Country Mules (sheep to you and me). These sheep were hand picked only yesterday by our farm manager, and arrived on the farm about an hour ago after a long journey from the north. These sheep are ewe lambs (female lambs born this year) and will spend their time on the farm munching down the chalk grassland reversions so that they are in good condition for next summer. The sheep will eventually be sold off for a profit.
The new arrivals!
Brian counting the sheep as they leave the lorry
Another of our furry colleauges, Holly the boarder collies sheep dog, wants to help
Keeley