Outdoor meetings and checking sheep

We had a meeting earlier in the week with the RSPB - to talk about Corncrakes.  Corncrake numbers are falling, and so the RSPB are embarking on a project to support farmers and crofters in doing more to enhance existing or create new habitats for Corncrakes.  Dave Sexton, the Mull RSPB officer, brought Louise from Islay to look and see if we could do anything more than we are already doing. 

We have been farming with wildlife in mind for 25 years and the fields with the best Corncrake potential are managed to enable ground nesting birds to safely rear several broods.  

Because we have already got a management agreement on most of the in bye fields, the only fields not in the scheme are needed for grazing when the other fields are closed off.   It would be lovely to be able to do more, but we can't! 

 

Occasionally out and about

Loch Pealloch, on the way to Tobermory, late November afternoon.

A walk up Glenforsa, on a winters day.  It seems so mountainous compared to the low Treshnish hills! 

At old Rhoail there is a ruined settlement, cleared of it's people nearly 200 years ago.  With a newer and long ruined house built in the 1870s, presumably for the sheep farmer.  We went looking for a fank but it is hidden in the forest now. 

Roots of Rowan trees dancing in air, now that the walls they grew out from have fallen down. 

On the way back down the glen in the late afternoon sun, an inquisitive Highland cow. 

Loch Pealloch again on the first crisp winter's day. Snow on the ground. 

 

Herdies and a walk on the Sitheans

 

Putting the tups out

 

Tupping time!

We bought a new Herdwick tup earlier this week, and he went out with the Herdwick ewes on Thursday.   We were worried there wasn't going to be a Rare Breeds sale at Dingwall this year as the one earlier in the year was cancelled.  So when I saw a Herdwick tup for sale on Facebook, in Scotland, we contacted the seller and here we are, proud owners of Richie Gray! 

Peter the Suffolk tup went out with the Cheviots (and few remained Zwartble crosses) last Sunday.  Whenever Farmer went to check them, he would leave the ewes and start following the quad bike. Farmer deduced he was hungry and started taking him a few nuts each day.  

It has been very wet! 

Here is Richie Gray in his finery.