13 Mar 2008 - Visit to Common Farm, Chelsworth

The children from Badgers and Owls class were very excited as they new they were going to see the first lambs of the year.  On arrival at Common Farm, Juliet Hawkins met us  and introduced us to the shepherd Michael Mumford.

Micheal explained to the children that Common Farm has a commercial flock of 1000 plus sheep.  He took us all into the first shed that housed the ewes.  The ewes are penned in order of lambing and marked with how many lambs they are going to have.  There was much 'aahing!' when we got to the pens with the lambs.  Some children even got to hold one.

In the next shed there were pens that held smaller groups of ewes and lambs.  Outside were larger areas for groups of 20.  The lambs are put here to harden them off to the elements before they are put to grass.

After admiring the lambs, Juliet took us all to the wood at the end of the field. She disucssed with the children what sights would be suitable for birds to build their nests.  She asked them what materials they would use.  She wanted them to pretend that she was a female blackbird and they had to go off in groups and make her a nest.

There was much foraging that went on for the next half an hour.  Some beautiful nests were made out of moss, grass, feathers and leaves.   Alistair's nest was quite palacial and included such features as fox proofing and running water on its doorstep!