Sunday 7 April 2013

Red Deer, Spring Colour...and Sheep as Eco-Friendly Lawn Mowers




























Imagine: It was a beautiful day yesterday, after weeks of cold, grey, snowy weather - and so I decided to take Harry, my border terrier, out for a long walk across the fields.  I had just crossed a newly ploughed field, when I turned a corner - and stopped - because there, standing silently beside a hedge, was this small herd of red deer.  We all stared at each other in shock, before I quickly looped Harry's lead around a post and took out my camera.  Fortunately, this was at the end of the walk, so Harry felt too tired, as well as a bit too small and outnumbered, to think about taking on a herd of deer just a few feet away....



I think I was helped, moments later, by the appearance of a tractor in the next field which distracted the deer.  That's why they're all looking away from me.  I was the lesser of the two evils.









In the end, the approaching tractor became too much for them, and they ran off and away from me across the field.








So, I decided, then, what I was going to do for the rest of the morning - and I took my camera out to look for wildlife, and spring colour.  I found this rhododendron bush...





And singing right above me was this lovely song thrush...








The bees are flying again (at last) and were out on the last of the crocuses and the hellebores.










Sheep as Eco-Friendly Lawn Mowers

This is about bees and other insects, too - because last week I read that a suburb in Paris is using sheep as eco-friendly lawn mowers on green spaces.  It's not the first time this has been used in Europe, but it is a first for such an urban area.  The idea behind this is that the sheep will replace insect-harming chemicals and polluting, petrol lawn mowers, and that they will promote biodiversity. It's often reported how sheep have overgrazed grass, but this initiative is about creating sustainable green areas.  Sheep will replace machines, and will once again be grazing amongst people as they always used to do. 

In addition to moving sheep on to green spaces, it would be fantastic if wildflower areas could be created, too - because then insects and birds, would really start to thrive again in cities, towns and villages.

After I read about the Paris sheep, I looked at my own three ancient sheep and wondered.  We've used them as eco-friendly lawn mowers for years to keep the grass low at the smallholding - and so it occurred to me, then, that I could hire them out.  They're too old and a bit lazy to wander off now.  They eat anything and are easily bribed with apples...






It's worth thinking about.



48 comments:

  1. Those deer photos are amazing Wendy. It must have been fantastic to see them up close like that.

    What a great idea to introduce sheep as lawn control. I wish they'd do it in the nature reserves at the back of my house. The gentle 'baaas' would certainly beat hearing a noisy mower all the time!

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    1. Thank you. I was startled and then thrilled to see the deer so close. And I agree about noisy mowers; the sound of sheep is much more peaceful.

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  2. I've seen one or two village churches use sheep to keep the grass down in the church yard but never in such an urban area, it's a good idea though. How wonderful to get so close to the deer:)

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    1. Church yards would be ideal because they are peaceful areas and the sheep graze quietly. Much better than the whine of a lawn mower. I'd like to follow the story of the "Paris sheep"; I hope we get updates here.

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  3. Wow - superb photos - how fortunate you were to stumble upon them and how nice that they posed so well for you. It has been lovely here too this weekend - what a relief to have some fine dry warmish weather. I use my two old sheep to keep the grass down too - although at the moment there is hardly any grass left - it just isn't growing and all the fields that are grazed look like bowling greens. How could you resist that sheeps innocent face in the last picture - one ear up the other down - awww bless!

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    1. Thank you. I had seen the deer tracks before, but I never expected to come across them. My sheep are desperate for spring grass, too; they've certainly had enough of hay. Adam, the sheep, is, as usual, waiting for his treat of apples. He usually follows me round until he gets them (he always does!)

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  4. Oh your sheep are lovely Wendy! And what a great idea to hire them out- I bet you'd get lots of takers. Fabulous pictures of the wildlife too- beautiful deer, lovely bee and that wonderful thrush. I can never get close enough to thrushes to do them justice in a photo but your's is super.

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    1. Thank you. I'm very fond of my sheep and I can just see them grazing a village green! I was lucky with the song thrush; I think he was too absorbed in his singing to notice me.

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  5. Those deer are beautiful. Magnificent shots Wendy!
    When we lived on a sheep farm I could wander with them for hours, just because they are so peaceful.

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    1. Thank you. The deer were beautiful to look at. I agree that there is something peaceful and relaxing about sheep grazing; they just look so content.

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  6. Beautiful photos and what a wonderful encounter with the deer. Its always a special moment when you chance upon animals like this and share their space for a short while :)

    Enjoyed reading about the eco sheep in Paris - what a great idea and way of replacing chemicals. Good luck with your thoughts on your own sheep :)

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    1. Thank you. I agree that it's even more special coming across animals unexpectedly. I'd love the idea of sheep as eco-friendly lawn mowers to catch on over here; I hope our local authorities are taking note.

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  7. This post was such a treat for me!!! The pics of the red deer are absolutely stunning, how wonderful that you chanced upon them.
    I love that bee and crocus pic too, I haven't seen a single bee yet.....or a butterfly.
    Your sheep are lovely, and would make excellent lawnmowers for hire!!! I heard about that too and think it's a great idea.xxxxx

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    1. Thank you. I'm so pleased I had my camera on me; I don't suppose I'll come across the deer like that again. I haven't seen a butterfly either and I'm watching out for them. And I think my sheep would do a good job, too!!

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  8. What a wonderful moment, suddenly coming across the red deer when out for your walk. A few years ago when walking our old dog on the nearby RSPB reserve, there was a crashing noise and suddenly there was the most magnificent stag in front of me, maybe 20 ft away. We looked at each other for a while, then he loped away unconcerned, a moment to remember.
    Hiring out your sheep sounds a wonderful idea, far better than a lawn mower and they can fertilise the grass at the same time!!

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    1. How terrific that you came face to face with a stag like that. Now I know that it is followed by that moment where you and the animals do just stare at each other. And I agree, the grass in public areas would be very rich with all that fertiliser!

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  9. What superb images Wendy! How fortunate to come across the beautiful red deer too.
    The sheep grass mowers are a perfect idea....
    Best wishes
    Rose H

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    1. Thank you. I still can't believe I had such a close view of the deer. And I'd love sheep lawn mowers to be widely used.

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  10. Was being stunned by the photographs of deer - then came to the thrush. What pictures! Hope your sheep-mowing business takes off. If I had a lawn, it would be fun to take a turn at having sheep on it.

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    1. Hello Esther - and thank you. It would be great to see sheep on the local lawns instead of lawn mowers.

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  11. WOW! What spectacular pictures of the deer! How clever to take your camera with you, I should do the same.

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    1. Thank you. I've started to carry my camera with me a lot more now; but I must admit I was expecting to see birds, not deer.

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  12. Great images - did you have a long lens for the deer images or were they really that close?

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    1. Thank you. They did come that close; they just stood there listening to the approaching tractor, then they scattered back a bit before suddenly leaping away.

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  13. Great to see all those deer like that. Quite an experience; and some great pictures to keep the memory alive.

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    1. Hello Keith - and thank you. It was a wonderful experience and I'm pleased I can look back on the photos and check how many stags there were etc.

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  14. What fabulous photos - unexpected encounters like that are so special, aren't they!

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    1. Thank you. I think seeing them was even more of a thrill because it was so unexpected.

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  15. Hi Wendy,

    I've often suggested that my parents get a few sheep to mow their lawn. They have quite a large plot, and don't seem to have much luck with lawnmowers which always seem to break down or blow up. I think they worry it would turn into a scene from The Good Life! Lovely photos. Best Wishes.

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    1. Thank you. I'm sorry your parents have had trouble with lawn mowers; sheep have certainly been the answer on our land. We just leave to get on with it.

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  16. What a great post, it must have been such a thrill seeing them and you've taken some great photos. They look so majestic and with the sun on them. Lucky you.

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    1. Thank you. Red deer certainly are majestic seen that close, especially the stags. And the sun was a real bonus.

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  17. Great photos Wendy so lucky to see red deer that close, and a lovely close up of the song thrush, all the best David

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    1. Thank you. I was fortunate that deer and the song thrush stayed around long enough for me to take photos of them.

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  18. It's fantastic to suddenly happen upon deer on a walk, this happened to me when we were walking at Chasewater. You've taken some amazing photos. Hi! from Suzy, your latest follower. x

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    1. Hello Suzy - and thank you. I've just enjoyed reading your own blog and I look forward to following your stories. I'm pleased you've come across deer like this, too - it really is a wonderful moment, isn't it?

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  19. Awwww what a beautiful thrush and such beautiful deer!!

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    1. Thank you. They are beautiful creatures.

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  20. Such lovely images of the deer it must have been wonderful to see them! It's nice to also see some signs of spring!
    Sarah x

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    1. Hello Sarah - and thank you. It was a very special encounter and I'll always be on the look out for them now. The sun and warmth of spring is very welcome (at last!)

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  21. How wonderful to get so close to deer like that. I like the idea of you hiring out your sheep! Still very few bees around here, I am hoping to see more as the weather continues to warm up, but I also need to sow lots of bee-friendly plants to attract them, not least of which will be borage!

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    1. I think my sheep will be happy anywhere as long as there is plenty of food! As there is more sun and warm weather forecast for the next couple of days I hope to see the bees flying a bit more. Like you, I must start sowing some more bee-friendly plants, including this year's borage!

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  22. Hi Wendy :-) What a wonderful encounter you had with the deer and you took some lovely photos. I had a similar surprise encounter with Roe Deer a while ago although I wasn't as close as you. I think coming across wildlife unexpectedly like that is so special.

    I loved your Song Thrush too and again you were able to get so close! I wonder if I should replace my lawn mower with one of the ones you have showed us...I'm sure he wouldn't mind being relieved of his duties....;-)

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    1. Thank you. How lovely that you saw Roe Deer like this; I've only ever seen the odd one in recent years. I was surprised the Song Thrush was so obliging; it must have had other things on its mind! And my sheep have been terrific as lawn mowers so I do recommend them!

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  23. I was stunned at your photos! I have never seen deer as close as this although have often seen fallow deer reasonably close and red deer running away from me in the Highlands. You are right about bees. I have been working in the garden today and have been accompanied by bumble bees for the first time for ages. Great sound.

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    1. I could have stood and watched them for ages; it was such a wonderful encounter. And now the bees are busy around the flowers, I realise just how much they bring the garden to life.

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  24. Great shots of the deer - what a precious encounter! A good job too that Harry was on his lead or you might have had your own Fenton moment...

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    1. Thank you; it really was a delight to suddenly see them. Harry had been running around for a while, and he isn't a young dog anymore, so I think he was just too tired to be interested. A few years ago, there may well have been a chase on!

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