New Pasture

Leaving

2010-10-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

So here I am in York, back on campus and settled into my new house ready for my Masters (well, I'll keep telling myself that!). I got here last Wednesday, after packing all my things from the caravan and going out for dinner with everyone at the farm to the local Himalayan restaurant. It was an emotional goodbye, but I'm going back this coming weekend for a party so it's not as bad as it could be. I know I'll stay in touch and visit. I have had a truly terrific past six months at the farm; I have learnt crazy new skills I never even dreamed of learning, made great, fabulous friends and met Will. The experience has taught me a lot about the world of farming and country life, and given me a much better idea of the kind of life I want (which is something I was not necessarily expecting from the placement). I'll never forget my unbeatable summer at Turville Heath.

2010-09-14T03:54:00.000-07:00

So here we are in September already?! Time has flown by since my last post. At the beginning of August, Gravelly Grazing had a stall at the Ibstone show and grazed some cattle on the Common there; that meant lots of preparation on our part and some hard earned relaxation afterward. During the week that the cows were there I was acting as 'security' (hilarious, I know) with the caravan pitched by the cows to deter unwanted attention from the cows and the craft tents. The day was a success, with lots of enquiries from the public and I made sure to have a good look around the show (I even won a coconut on the coconut shy).

The following Monday (my 22nd birthday), Will and I headed back to Broadstairs unannounced which came as quite a surprise! We had a lovely holiday back in Kent for the week, and it tied in with Broadstairs Folkweek rather nicely. We ate far too much good food, visited Monkton and saw some of the local sites. It was nice to be a tourist in my home town again.

So, back to the farm again, and I spent two weeks finishing odd jobs, moving sheep and milling about the farm. It was a bit more relaxed than I have been used to, with many of the big jobs finished off or the year. Towards the end of August I went to Uffington Country Show; it was a lovely day and we saw some crazy things, including ferret racing, pig racing and horse gymnastics! At the end of August, Will and I had a week in Pembrokeshire, Wales, visiting some of the most beautiul coastline I have ever been to. We visited all the little villages in the area, ate Welsh cakes and Barra Brith, went body boarding in the rather large waves and relaxed in the caravan. We also went to the 'Really Wild' festival in St Davids and saw yet more ferret racing!

So now I'm back at the farm again, clinging on to the time I have left before starting my Masters course next month. Since I've been back I have been working on a survey report, putting together the sightings we made on some recent environmental surveys. I have also learnt how to skin a deer, and moved about/put up some more fencing. Last weekend we all went to the Henley Show (yet more ferret racing was involved!) and Will got two ferrets (named Ronnie and Reggie, ha ha) which we had great fun playing with, once they stopped biting! This week we will be moving around sheep and preparing for tupping, when the rams are put in with the ewes, and figuring out where all the animals will be grazed over winter. I will also be finishing off the report I have been working on and tying up loose ends, and I am squeezing in a visit to York to view a house for this October (fingers crossed this time!). This weekend we are all going to the Royal Berkshire Show in Newbury, where you guessed it, there will be more ferret racing and interesting agricultural displays. I can't wait.

High Flyer

2010-07-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Time is just flying at the moment what with so much going on here at the farm. The last few weeks have in fact been a bit more relaxed as Robin was away for the week, but now the pace is picking up as we prepare for a grazing demonstration next month at the Ibstone Show. It is all very exciting; Will and I have been driving all over flyering for the event, trying to spread the word.

Rosy cow finally decided to have her calf (the day after Robin flew to Spain, typical!), however, some 30 or so minutes after it was born it suddenly dawned on me that the calf had no tail; photos will follow. 'Stumpy' was born completely without a tail (apparently something to do with incomplete development in the womb), which aside from looking rather odd is probably a bit annoying for the calf, leaving it unable to swat flies. We have some cow insect repellent and have been spraying him with that when close enough. I also got the chance to milk Rosy! She is a very friendly cow (sometimes too friendly, especially when I'm trying to shut the feed trough lid) a lets us milk her while she eats some cow nuts. It was great fun, hopefully we can get a reasonable amount and make something of it.

This weekend I am helping with preparations for the show and going back up to York to look for a house to ensure I actually have somewhere to live next year. Fingers crossed I get the house I have my eye on!

Back by Popular Demand ;)

2010-07-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has only been a month since I last wrote on here; so much has happened, I don't even know where to start!

Firstly, the Commons Day hosted here at the farm went really well, with over 75 people attending and several subsequent news articles in the Henley Standard. After the celebrations and a brief, hard-earned period of relaxation, it was back to the grind as we sheared the rest of the sheep and treated them to prevent fly strike. Since then we have been working on fencing for pigs, cows and sheep, as well as moving animals to various different places. I have also been surveying many different places with Tony and Will, where we saw interesting plants including four or so species of Orchid.

At the end of June I went back to Kent for the Monkton Nature Reserve AGM. It was nice to see everyone again and hear all the plans and hopes for the future. We had a barbeque and I took some photos with my film camera; fingers crossed they come out OK!

Will and I have been using the weekends to try different traditional skills and see new things in the area. We made some delicious Elderflower cordial using flowers from the common and some felt scarves (which we are yet to finish) using the wool from the shearing. They are pretty impressive, although I won't be able to wear it in any kind of wet weather for fear of smelling like a sheep! We also visited the Chilterns Open Air Museum for the heavy horse show. We are hoping to go fishing soon, a sport I am yet to try; photos will follow!

Most recently I have been redesigning the farm website with Will (see the link above). At the weekend I visited Henley for the Regatta when Fran came for a visit; it was a revealing day (some of the dresses truly were) with everyone in their best frocks, drinking in the sunshine and watching the boats.

Last night a brown long eared bat flew into the shed while I was getting ready for bed- it gave me quite a fright! It settled on a bucket and spade before flying off into the greenhouse (it obviously wasn't a good day for 'batty')! I hope it has left now, I'm certainly not looking forward to nightfall tonight.

Next week Robin and the family are off to Spain for their holidays and so Will and I shall be left to run the fort with Tony. We will be continuing our survey work if this glorious weather holds and writing an article for a land management publication.

Phew!

Fun in the Sun

2010-06-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend Tony hosted the Buckinghamshire Invertebrate Group June field trip. I learnt a lot throughout the day and got to scrub bash for insects which involves hitting a tree with a special net laid beneath it. After lunch I went down to Northend for the annual inter-village rounders match. The weather was glorious and the game was good fun; we won and I didn't get batted out until right at the end! We had a barbeque and listened to some live jazz in the sunshine, before returning back to the farm for drinks on the deck. At midnight I walked across the common to find the B.I.G. crew mothing; we saw many, many species of moth (over 80 in fact) and I didn't get to bed until 2.30am! On Sunday we had a party for Leah's 21st birthday - we had yet another barbeque and made a water slide in the garden with plastic sheeting and washing-up liquid. It was great fun, although my ribs still hurt from launching myself at the slide! We finished the evening off with a chiminea and yet another late night. On Monday, Will and myself sheared the 5 rams and some of the wethers from the common. Shearing the king ram was quite an ordeal, with Will pinning him down and me shearing as fast as possible! The end result was rather handsome:

Yesterday I helped with some fencing and took some photos of the calves. Here is a photo of the second female to be born, shortly after bank holiday Monday. She is a beautiful brown calf (now one of four), from two black parents!

Today Will and I finished shearing the wethers from the common and returned them to a very grassy paddock across the common. We really are speeding up now, and with a new sharp cutter we were almost unstoppable!

Tomorrow we are clearing out the barn ready for next week and making some plates for the event from an old silver birch tree.

How Now Brown Cow?

2010-06-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

I have had an amazing - and truly varied - past few days. Last Tuesday the first of the calves was born- we noticed the waters break and managed to watch the whole event. It was amazing to see the entire process; thankfully Cherry is a friendly cow and didn't mind us being nearby. There are now three lovely brown calves. Last Thursday I learnt how to weld and helped to fix the metal base on the flat bed trailer; that was great fun, and something I definitely didn't think about trying before coming here! On Saturday Will and I went to Pangbourne nature reserve to take some photos of the wildlife there, which will follow once they have been developed! On Sunday my mum and nan came to visit; we went for a drive to see the local sights and quaint villages, stopping for tea in Hambleden. Over the bank holiday we had a barbeque with all the family here, before I set back to work to finish the rest of the shearing with Will. We sheared the 11 sheep down in the lower meadow; they look very professional from only a small distance and we did start to speed up towards the end! This week we worked on the fencing at the local estate and laid out a pig pen ready to be set up. Tomorrow we are moving the sheep on the common and continuing with the preparation for the rapidly approaching Commons Day by clearing out the barn.

Shear beauty

2010-05-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

I had the most fabulous of weekends. To kick it all off, Wonky-ear finally gave birth to two healthy lambs. Robin and myself went to the farm auction at Thame and saw all the quintessentially farmy sort; kicking the wheels of the tractors and chatting about the downfalls of certain items in the auction. On Sunday we were taught how to shear sheep by Tim, Robin's good friend and master stockman. It was great fun, albeit slightly terrifying when given the massive, heavy, 3200rpm razor-sharp shears!

The sheep Will and myself sheared looked pretty good given our inexperience, even if I do say so myself.

Today we moved the sheep on the common in the blistering heat, and sorted out a pen for a ewe that lambed this afternoon; the last of the lambing is done. Tomorrow Will and I have the hefty task of shearing the 11 sheep in the lower meadow; see you in New Zealand next year! ;)

Heat Wave

2010-05-21T02:44:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a busy week so far! We started off by moving the sheep on the common to some fresh pasture and also separated the cows from the steers ready for the new calves. We sorted and delivered some firewood and finished off some smaller jobs on the farm. On Wednesday we sunk some straining posts for the new fence and trapped some moths; we got several new species for the year, including my favourite so far, the Oak Hook-tip. Yesterday we went to a beautiful farm near Chipping Norton to survey the land for a Farm Environment Plan (FEP)- I learnt to recognise many grassland plant species, including the Green Winged Orchid shown below and we saw some pretty cool bugs too.

Today I had a relaxed day reading in the sun and helped prepare the tractor for a shiny new coat of paint.

Tampering with Gates

2010-05-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

This past week we finished demolishing the last of the fencing and cut a path through an area of trees along the perimeter of the new fence line. We learnt how to hang a perfectly perpendicular gate despite very uneven ground! Yesterday we dagged and wormed the wethers on the common, and 'sheared' some of the scraggy Hebrideans. They had lost some wool naturally, and so we plucked the rest of their loose wool; a practice called sheep 'pulling'. Tonight we are trapping at Moorend common for National Moth Night and I am taking along the bat detector. Fingers crossed we get some good moths! Tomorrow I am going to set some more craneflies and go for a wander in the local area. We have a busy and exciting week ahead; surveying, fencing, drafting, shearing, and the chicks and calves are due!

Masters of Fence Destruction

2010-05-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

This past week I helped demolish some degenerated fencing on one of the local estates and learnt how to stock fence like a pro. We also finished the Pergola and visited a site at Chorleywood. I finally got a shock from the electric pig fence- I had done well not to get stung so far! Yesterday, Will and I went to Warburg nature reserve at Bix Bottom to take some pictures; it was nice to see some more of the local area. I finally got some pictures of the carpets of Bluebells in Turville. Last night I went to the local school fundraiser- a BBQ and line dance. It was great fun although some of the routines were surprisingly difficult. Today I set another smaller moth, the Pale Prominent, and Tony gave me the ultimate setting test: a crane fly, Tipula oleracea, the legs of which break off with the slightest touch! This week we will be moving the sheep, preparing for the Commons Day and getting ready for learning how to shear. Bring it on!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2010-05-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I carried on setting the bugs from the trip to Manor Farm on the 27th, and I set my first moth; a Lesser Swallow Prominent.

Whilst trying to set a woodlouse with its legs on show, in a half-hearted, final attempt out of frustration and desperation, I stumbled across a way of 'stuffing' the woodlouse. Sounds absurd I know, but here is a picture of the final result. Tony was most pleased; he has never seen a woodlouse set in such a way!

On Friday I helped demolish some old fencing ready for a new stock fence to go in next week, and helped screw together a Pergola on one of the local estates. On Saturday I went for a ramble in the woods and took some photos of the spring flowers; Bluebells and Cuckoo flowers.

Yesterday, I was shown some local culture by Robin and Ollie; we visited the Wycombe museum, went to the Hell Fire Caves, went to the top of the Norman church and visited the Mauseleum. Robin and I also put some fertile chicken eggs in the automated incubator, now sat in my shed. I can't wait for them to hatch out, I'm checking on them everyday. They should be hatched by the 22nd of May.

Today I had an epic lie in, smuggly listening to the rain on the roof of the caravan, before muddling around in the bug room with Tony. Busy week ahead, so I'm enjoying a chilled out day!

Pinning it Down

2010-04-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Today I briefly helped burn some wood on the common after the morning feed around, to clear the old dead branches before they become embedded in new vegetation. Afterward, I helped Tony record the surveyed species on Excel from our outing to the chalk bank yesterday; many species of plant and a good selection of insects, including the Bee Fly. Tony then showed me how to pin out or set beetles, wasps and flies. Here is a photo of my first attempt; a St Marks fly. I look forward to learning how to pin butterflies and moths!

Limp-less

2010-04-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

Today Tony drove us back from a weekend in Kent with the nature reserve bunch. It was nice to catch up with some friendly and familiar faces! 'Limpy' the male lamb has finally stopped limping; he, his sister and O.A.P. will be moved up to the new grazing site with the other lambs shortly.

Friday 23rd April

2010-04-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today we moved the sheep grazing the common to a new, much bigger area with some fresh grass, and gathered in the old fencing. I took some pictures of the Wood Sorrel and Moscatel by the pond. I also recieved an email for an offer of a fully funded MRes place for next year! Happy times.

Wednesday 21st April

2010-04-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

Today we spent the day sorting out the cattle grazing area and the pigs drinking trough. We also had some target practice with the 22 rifle; I got five bullseyes out of five shots! After dinner we went rabbit shooting with Robin on the back of the landy; we learnt where to shoot a rabbit, in the 'engine room' (chest area) and how to empty the rabbits bladder. Eugh. When we got back Robin showed us how to gut and hock the rabbits. So many skills learned!

Keep on Moving

2010-04-20T14:00:00.001-07:00

Today we spent the day tagging and moving the sheep, lambs and cows to their new grazing pasture for the next few weeks. We also captured and rereleased the naughty wether escapee twice! I'm pretty tired out after a very busy day, looking forward to bed!

Holding the Fort

2010-04-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Today Will and myself were left to it, as it were, as Robin was away for the day. We started off with the morning feed around before gathering in the old electric fence paddock on the common and clipping on warning signs to the new live fence. Whilst doing so, we discovered a badly tangled wether that had completely wrapped itself in brambles. We cut him free using the dagging shears and removed the freshly debarked apple branches. I then bottle fed O.A.P.s two lambs and we stopped for some lunch. After collecting Will's new chainsaw, we set to work around the pond on the common; Will felling the trees, myself and Tony burning the scrap branches.

This clears the area around the pond, opening the canopy up and allowing light to penetrate to the woodland floor. I look forward to a well deserved early night!

On the Move

2010-04-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Today I started off by helping Tony to empty the moth traps. During the night seven species entered the traps (nothing of major interest) including Common Quaker and Red Chestnut. I then did the morning feed around with Robin, and found an escaped wether that had jumped the fence to be with the ewes and their lambs. Will and I then took the ewe lambs (collected yesterday evening after the propshaft episode) and clipped them before fitting them with new, snazzy electronic ear tags. Sporting their fetching new ear candy, we drove the ewes up to a new grazing area on a neighbouring hill and released them. We then went for a walk around a future surveying area on a beautiful hill side. I looking forward to being let loose in there! We returned to the farm for lunch before setting about moving the rams grazing the common; this provides the sheep with new grazing and performs an ecological service by nibbling down the scrub. After setting up the new fence, a carpet was quite literally laid down for the rams to enter their new home for the next few weeks! We collected the wethers from the bottom field and added them to the new paddock on the common before electrifying the fence.

I then went around and did the afternoon feed and stock check, during which I accidentally stepped on O.A.P.s male lambs front foot. I felt and still feel horrific!

After dinner Robin and I checked on the sheep and cows on the other grazing site, allowing me to take some photos of the sunset from the brow of the hill.

Breakout (14th April)

2010-04-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

Today we started out the day by finding that all the pregnant ewes had escaped through a collapsed gate into the lamb field. The sneaky ram (a very small ram, presumed to be a ewe, that was left in with the ewes and got them all pregnant!) was dead; it was probably butted to death by the ewes with lambs from the other field, if they perceived it as a threat. Another female had given birth in the night to twins; we moved her up to the paddock to be with O.A.P. and her lambs. We then tried to separate the mixed up flocks and carried on with the morning feed. We went up to the grazing area on Cobstone hill with the horse box and captured the wethers (male castrated lambs from last year) to trim their feet and worm them.

We loaded the wethers onto the horse box and made to leave...until the propshaft on the Landrover snapped! A short phonecall later, a swift vehicle change and we were back on target, delivering the wethers to the bottom field. I bottle fed the four most recently born lambs to supplement the milk from their mothers, and helped Tony to set the moth traps. I look forward to seeing some spring-time moths!

LambLac Scented Heaven

2010-04-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

Today I woke early to the deafening noise of the dawn chorus. After a quick snooze and some brekkie, I headed out to find O.A.P. (a maturer ewe) in labour. We watched her give birth to two lambs which was an amazing experience, before moving her into her own enclosure with her new lambs.

Unfortunately, due to mastitis, O.A.P. has barely any milk and so we quickly bottle fed the two lambs with some colostrum formula to give them the vital nutrients and enhance their immune development (as per natural colostrum).

We grabbed the shears and went to the bottom field to dag (remove the wool from a sheep's back end) a rather mucky ewe. That meant catching her first which was no easy feat! After lunch we filled in some holes in the road with scalpings unloaded from a trailer attached to a land rover (which I got to drive!). We then tube fed the ewe lamb and I took some photos of the grazing Hebridean sheep. Tonight we are going up to Cobstone hill to check on the cows and use the bat detectors. Hope we find some good stuff!

Reporting for Duty!

2010-04-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day working at the farm. I woke up early and had some breakfast before heading out of the caravan to watch the Red Kites in action, literally overhead. I even witnessed a mid-air fight between two of them! I then went to the yard and was introduced to Will, the other volunteer I will be working alongside, before going out to feed the ewes and pigs. I also watched a demonstration of how to 'elastrate' lambs which involves securing a band around the tail (or testicles) to remove it/them, preventing fly strike (or sneaky matings!). Will and I then gave the sheep on the common some apple branches, using the mule which I then learnt to drive! We stopped off at the local farm suppliers to get kitted out and I learnt some farming terminology from all the crazy products. All in all an amazing day, filled with new experiences and knowledge. I will sleep well tonight in my eerily (and brilliantly) quiet caravan!

At Long Last!

2010-04-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

I'm here! Today Mum drove me up to the farm will a boot-ful of my stuff ready for the next six months. After a brief stint in a traffic jam and a wrong turn, we made it to the farm and moved everything into the caravan; a camouflaged great caravan just perfect for me! It is already customised with photos and cards. Robin and Tony then took us on the grand tour of the local area where Mum and Jeannette got to see the view over Cobstone hill which I have been prattling on about for the last two weeks. We then stopped for a bite to eat before Mum and J left for the return journey and I got settled in. Keen to get started tomorrow. Bring it on!

Saturday 10th April

2010-04-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Today I packed everything (and I mean everything) ready for tomorrow. Some of my friends came over for a farewell drink after dinner at my favourite restaurant, dressed in shirts with cowboy boots and hats! Looking forward to tomorrow!

Wildlife Photography

2010-03-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

Today I went on a wildlife photography study day at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust. I figured I could meet people with a range of different cameras to see them 'in the flesh' to help me decide which one to invest in. Also the professional photographer running the workshop, Iain Green, had lots of helpful advice. We went out to test our skills; here are some of the photos I took with my fujifilm compact bridge camera. I had a thouroughly enjoyable day, with some of the regular familar faces I see at these events. I look forward to purchasing a new camera and getting out there armed with my new knowledge!

March 24th 2010

2010-03-26T04:24:00.000-07:00

Today I handed in my one weeks notice at the nature reserve. It’s all happening now! I have spoken to my friend Fran; we are planning a farming themed party to celebrate. I am planning my outfit as I write…

March 20th 2010

2010-03-26T04:21:00.000-07:00

Today I travelled up to Turville to check out the farm I will be working at for the next 6 months. I went up by train to High Wycombe and met Robin at the station. I had never been to Buckinghamshire before, so it was really great to see somewhere new and so beautiful at that! We went to many of the different places that Robin manages, saw the different areas I will be working on and met the workers- the flock! We visited Turville, the home of the Vicar of Dibley and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and stood on the top of Cobstone hill (another grazing site) to take in the view. I could not get over the sheer numbers of Red Kite (Milvus milvus) swooping overhead; I must have seen hundreds throughout the day (pictures will follow- surely here more than anywhere I have a chance at a good shot?!). We stopped off at the farm for lunch and I saw Tony in his infamous ‘bug room’, I can't wait to get to work in there!! Robin and I went to see a few other sites after lunch before I was dropped at the station.

I am so excited about getting involved with such an upcoming project, moving to a new area and learning so many new skills. I will be involved with the practical management side of the grazing projects, as well as the research and monitoring side. I look forward to working with Robin and Tony, I know I will get a lot from the experience and I look forward to really getting stuck in to everything, giving it my all and making the most of my time there.