spandit Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 ...then at least I wouldn't have come home with an empty bag! Spotted some eyes in my lamplight but too high up to be rabbit. Turned out to be a tawny owl. Got within 15 yards before it flew off, silently. Only saw two rabbits the whole night but trying to be quiet in the woods when it's so dry is impossible and the lamp pressure switch is in the wrong place and not terribly good. I thought I'd hit one of them but apparently not as it ran off. The other was about 100 yards away and the backstop wasn't good enough to have a pop. Also saw a dead firefly (still shining) so nice to know they're about (assuming there are some live ones too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garden gun Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 All owls are under pressure due to food and habitat shortages. Add in unintended poisoning from eating poisoned prey and life is pretty grim. Tawnys in our neck of the woods have had a lean few years - only heard one half of the twit/twoo for several years until this year. Don't think tawnys regularly take bunnies - mice, voles, rats are more their diet. Is myxy an issue in your warrens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Have had a lot of myxy but there are masses of voles in the field. I've planted a lot of trees and am planning on putting up some owl boxes in the existing ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garden gun Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 That explains the presence of the tawnys, feeding on the voles, but your bunnies are keeping their heads down just in case. Add in the myxy and lo not many bunnies about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted June 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Could have shot a hedgehog and a fox last night. Great seeing wildlife that you'd otherwise miss. Settled for some unlucky bunnies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 I dont think I have ever seen more rabbits in this neck of the woods, I'm hoping it will lead to a couple of new shooting opportunities. Went to a farm in Shropshire and shot 10 in three ten minute walks on 6 acres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Thousands of rabbits in one of our areas. Shooting and snaring but no real impact. Corn still being severely damaged. Thinking about trying long netting. New technique for the club to try and gain experience in. Sure the first few attempts will be a fiasco. Still no pigeons yet on the barley though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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