The first Butser lambs

The first lambs

The first lambs were born last week on Butser Hill. The picture shows Bill Hedges the shepherd taking a small flock of 29 young ewes to be lambed off site. They are due in mid-March and the plan was to take them back to his farm where they can be housed and given round the clock attention. These two lambs, twins in fact, arrived early their mother having had an unauthorised meeting with the ram!  

The main flock, of 221 Beulah ewes, will lamb in mid-April.They will also be moved off site and will return in batches when their lambs are strong enough. Weather conditions on Butser can be severe, and the possibility of lambs becoming separated from their mothers due to disturbance is a danger when they are small. On the 11th of April there will be a chance to get up close to the young lambs as part of our holiday activities for children. There will be two sessions starting at 10.30 am and 1.00pm. Pre-booking is required.Further information on the Park’s web-sire www.hants.gov.uk/qecp