The National Trust Scout Beck herd of the rare Albion breed were brought in today, Sunday 15th, from their grazing land to High Lickbarrow Farm. From here they were transported to their Winter quarters. Along with the cows there were 17 calves born earlier this year in May.
The remnants of Hurricane Ophelia are due to hit on Monday 16th so the timing was just about perfect!
Six helpers, including three National Trust staff, herded the cattle on a kilometre long route to the farm. It all went pretty smoothly with only the occasional break away attempt to have a sustaining snack. See above. John and James use their powers of persuasion to move 'em on!
In this image the cattle are approaching the entrance to High Lickbarrow in an orderly procession.
These "first" heifers (about 18 months old) were brought in a week earlier from their grazing allotment at Moor How, near Newby Bridge.
Here are three of them back in June 2016 at just a few weeks old. This image
shows the Albions in all their different colourings. The breed has a dominant white gene which is the "true breeding". True bred Albions may be blue-roan, white, or black with some white as evidenced by the image above.
An image of one of the 18 month old heifers at Moor How with a glimpse of Windermere and Grizedale Forest in the background....
...and here she is at High Lickbarrow on her birthday, May 2016. Just a few hours old!
The herd will return to their High Lickbarrow 'home' in May ready for a new season.
Some animals have been sold to farms in Cornwall and Derbyshire which will contribute to improving the bloodline, and increase the numbers of this rare breed.
To find out more about the Albion breed...The Albion Cattle Society have a website that is very informative.
The Albion Cattle Society are "dedicated to raising public awareness of this dying breed and help save it from extinction" and to show the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
"Albion Cattle are a breed worth fighting for".
VIDEO OF CATTLE ARRIVING AT HIGH LICKBARROW.
HUMMING THE THEME TUNE TO RAWHIDE IS PURELY OPTIONAL!
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