While we're very busy at Burnside getting mutton sheep over from members of the Orkney Boreray Co-op Ltd on other isles in Orkney, and preparing for the big trip down to Dingwall early next week, we make time to give the ewes and lambs a welcome treat of Balfour willow to eat.

Also seen at the 5am check this morning was Hannah with 1 of her twins. The 2nd followed very quickly - too quick to video! Here they both are a few minutes after that. Father of this pair is Atlas

Experienced ewe Friddy, age 8, had her twins not long before my 5am check this morning. All looking good. She's passed her placenta and eaten it. The darker lamb is interesting since Friddy's fleece is such a light colour and has not darkened with age. The father is George who is a darker ram.

Calling Curlews at sunrise in Orkney

Marianna's little flock lives as part of the Burnside flock. Her ewe Kornelie had a lovely healthy lamb about an hour ago. Here the lamb, possibly a female from what I can see, is mastering the art of feeding

In the soft, misty, pre-sunrise light a young ewe found snuggled in the rushes with her first lamb.
This is Leah, one of Cara's line. George is the lambs father.

Louise has recovered really well from lambing the 'chunk', and he's already at the bouncing stage. Both are now in the ewe & lamb field. Lamb (he'll be named when daughter comes up to help with lambing in a few days) is feeding well and his poo is already showing colostrum yellow.

At Burnside
Young S.Louise gave birth to a big chunky ram lamb before dawn this morning. Sexing was easy without picking up the lamb - you can see him peeing towards the end of the video!