Comments from our young Sheepwatchers!

We visited the sheep today for the first time and they were very friendly. Sheep 00004 was the friendliest. They have really soft fur. They were very kind and gentle. They really enjoy company. We had a great time. It was really fun.

Jac.

We saw all the sheep, all four sheep, they were very friendly the friendliest was Barry the others ran away

Love James bye.

Christmas photos of our festive sheep!

Barry?!

The Famous Four...

Wiltshire horn and Welsh cross together.

Introducing Barry and Flower!

And then there were four...



Barry and Flower have slightly darker coats to Daisy and Loulou.



More Sheep @ Browns Folly!

Two more sheep have joined Daisy and Loulou on the slopes of Browns Folly to keep them company for Christmas. The introduction of Barry and Flower will bring the total number of sheep to four this winter.  Happy sheepwatching!

BBC News Article on Browns Folly Sheepwatch Project

Click on the lnk below to read the article on the BBC News website on Browns Folly Sheepwatch Project

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-15960496

Sheep Reach Celebrity Status!

It seems the sheep have become local celebs, with lots of families making the trip upto Browns Folly to see the new star attractions - Daisy and Loulou.

A quote from Browns Folly Warden Richard Pooley -

The sheep have now begun to explore more of the top part of the reserve and are spending much more time on the grassland. Lou Lou always seems to be the leader, while Daisy dutifully follows on behind.  This morning (Sunday 27th)  i was meeting lots of families in the reserve who were going to see the sheep,  so they have become local "celebs".

Sheepwatcher Quiz!

The sheep at Browns Folly have gone feral and have discovered their inner goat.

They've given up on grass and discovered much more interesting vines, shrubs and trees to eat - but what is Loulou eating in this picture?

Answers on a postcard please to the Sheepwatch headquarters...


We also need more photos, especially of the sheep in the sunshine! Please send your finest photographs to brownsfollysheepwatch@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Big thank you to all Sheepwatchers!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the brilliant Sheepwatchers.  We have had people out checking several times everyday.  Daisy and Lou are also becoming more and more difficult to find as they explore the deepest depths of there new surroundings!  So thank you to every one who is keeping an eye on them (little hint - they seem to like the steep slope in the corner above the corral)...

A few Sheepwatcher updates on Daisy and Lou lou...

Anna (Sheepwatcher) - 

Daisy and Lou Lou were happy munching and sleeping this afternoon - although I couldn't find them for the first 20 minutes and had a mild panic! I also spoke to a few dog owners and they all knew about the sheep and were happy that they were there.

Trevor (Grazier) -

Hannah, Josh and I, took a stroll down to check on the girls this morning.  We arrived at the middle gate, and after a few of my attempted sheep impressions, we managed to get a verbal response from down near the corale.  I noticed some droppings half way up the steep hill, so they have already been wandering.  As we left they followed us to the gate, and BAAAAA’d at us as we headed off.  They looked mildly confused but in good health, and enjoying the new varied diet!

Sheep update at Browns Folly.

These sheep are very un-camera shy...  Both Daisy and Lou lou seem very happy with their new surroundings and the weather has even improved slightly.  Lots of positive responses from dog walkers.  The sun may even shine on the hill soon so they get to see Bath!

Sheep alive and well!

Lots of positive responses from our Sheepwatchers today!  Thank you everyone.  They are alive and well after their first night on the hill, and are most likely to be found down on the slope by the corral hiding in the trees away from the rain.

Sheep on Browns Folly Today!

Leaving the corale

After months of planning our first two sheep went onto Browns Folly first thing this morning.  After a beautiful weekend of sunshine it was a grey and damp start to their winter retreat! But they were clambering around the hillside in no-time, admiring the view and nibbling away.  Thanks to everyone involved, especially our fantastic sheepwatchers.  

To update this blog with your own photos, email brownsfollysheepwatch@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk for more details.

 


Daisy and Lou lou

Onto the grassland

Admiring the view...

Old photo of Brown's Folly woodland and grassland

Here is an old picture of the Brown's Folly and the grassland taken roughly 1900.

Amazing to see how much grassland there was after mining stopped.

Sheepwatch meeting

Thank you to everyone that turned up today to meet to chat about Sheepwatching.

One thing mentioned was when walking around the grassland area, if we could pull up the occasional ragwort plants, making sure that you remove all of the plant including the base leaves. The plant is poisonous to livestock. Although the sheep will avoid it to begin with, when the grass is all eaten they will browse on it.

Attached is a photo of the plant in flower.

Sheepwatch Site Visit Thurs 3rd Nov @ 2pm

We going to have a site visit to look at the sort of things we need to keep an eye on, like the fences, gates and any problems the sheep may have.  It also gives everyone a chance to meet myself and the grazier and the other sheepwatchers.

We are meeting in the car park at Browns Folly on Thursday 3^rd November @ 2pm.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Welcome to Browns Folly Sheepwatch

Avon Wildlife Trust needs your help!
We hope to introduce sheep to Browns Folly Nature Reserve this winter to graze the grassland area and keep the spectacular views across Bath open, and allow the rare plants and insects to thrive in the area that all help to support the amazing bat and bird populations in the Nature Reserve. 

A local farmer is going to put a small number of rare breed Wiltshire Horn sheep into the small fenced area, hopefully until Spring to graze the site.  If you live locally or visit Browns Folly regularly we are looking for people who enjoy and love the site to join us and help become a team of ‘Sheepwatchers’ to keep the sheep safe.

Contact brownsfollysheepwatch@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk for more details.