Good old rotary.

[Cranfield]

There are always lots of posts on PW asking how good is a rotary and has it had its day.

The fair answer is that in some situations they work fine, but on some days they don't.

Yesterday afternoon was a good rotary day.

 

I shot 67 pigeons over rape stubble and when I went out to clear up every now and then , I had to turn off the rotary to pick up the birds that were under the arms.

I would guess over half of the birds were shot on top of the rotary.

 

I was shooting from the ground sitting on a foam pad, with a small umbrella covered in a camo net backing onto a rush covered waterway.

No cover higher than three foot anywhere near the field.

Not at all comfortable, but very necessary.

 

I had a hobby turn up mid afternoon and entertain me for about 20 minutes, mopping up all the dragonflies there were in the area about 30 yards around the hide.

I don't know if the dragonflies were gathering for a mating ritual, or something similar, but there were an unusually large amount, some quite large.

The bird was performing some incredible aerobatics and seemed to be playing as much as feeding.

[Mightymariner]

Nice one.

Lately I have used the rotary for no more than 30 mins as it seems to spook the birds. How far out was yours?

[Cranfield]

It was 30 good paces from the hide slightly to the right, with a right to left strong breeze (at the beginning).

 

The original idea was that I would shoot the birds crossing from my left toward the rotary, but the breeze kept fading and when it did, they came in to land on the rotary from all directions.

[maxwell]

It was 30 good paces from the hide slightly to the right, with a right to left strong breeze (at the beginning).

 

The original idea was that I would shoot the birds crossing from my left toward the rotary, but the breeze kept fading and when it did, they came in to land on the rotary from all directions.

 

 

I find this time of year the young birds make a "B" line for the magnet, were there many young birds in the bag, good effort on the uncomfortable shooting position, a few aches and pains?

 

Regards

Maxwell

[jez28]

My rotary arrives today and i cant wait to see what difference it makes. Its set up for dead birds which i guess are the best??

[Colc08]

Last time I was out I used my rotary and once I had a couple of dead birds on it it turned a quiet day into one with a noticeably more action. I have purchased a pair of Air Pros for it and they turned up the other day. Must say they look pretty good and i'm told they work well too. I guess the proof is in the pudding.