JDog Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 I have just seen the first Golden plover of the season. A group of ten came into the field of view through my binoculars and proceeded to land in a field of standing beans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilksy II Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Always nice to see! I've just been for a look round and really chuffed to see two separate coveys of English partridge,10 in each, I've only ever seen golden plover fly over and much later in the month! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Soon be flocks of them on the tatty ground when they are lifted. Very lucky to have decent numbers up here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 A lovely bird and something we used to see a lot of here along with a lot of Curlew. Only odd few now and to see a flock of golden plover is a treat. Do you guys still take them for the table?, i am told they make very good eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 I have just seen the first Golden plover of the season. A group of ten came into the field of view through my binoculars and proceeded to land in a field of standing beans. I saw a flock at the weekend , about 20 miles inland , these were like a small flock of Starlings possibly 100 strong weaving about backwards and forwards until they settled in a tight bunch on a stubble field. As for aga mans question , do we still take them for the table , no I don't and haven't ate any waders till Curlew came off the list and I am at a stage now where I would sooner see them than shoot em, lovely birds and always a joy to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biddy Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 I saw a flock of about ten two weeks ago in Teesdale on the moor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 I shot my first one last year on the Ouse Washes and it was very tasty, if a little small when dressed. A lovely bird and something we used to see a lot of here along with a lot of Curlew. Only odd few now and to see a flock of golden plover is a treat. Do you guys still take them for the table?, i am told they make very good eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joknob Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I have just seen the first Golden plover of the season. A group of ten came into the field of view through my binoculars and proceeded to land in a field of standing beans. talking to senior RSPB man at our marsh the other day and he said they are in decline because of heather burning and grouse shooting ! I just said ok and walked away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adge Cutler Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Please inform the county bird recorder of any very early sightings of lowland goldens September is very early for them to start moving from the upland breeding grounds. The information will be very useful to record migration patterns. The Rspb guy was talking out of his ****. Gp numbers are stable a green status bird. Due to the fact that pasture land has been converted to arable in the last 50 years and the pheasant bashers don't shoot them anymore. A very bland tasting bird Imo.and better out of the oven than in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Think they eat pretty good myself not shot any for a couple of years as i have not esspecialy targeted them, but i used to try for them back in the day. I used to like shooting cerlew too many a blank flight saved by cerlew, but they were more cautious back then than they are now let me tell you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewluke Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 we see thousands down our way through the season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guttersnipe Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 We have quite a few on the Ribble but they are left by most - on our marshes only the oldies go after the Goldies... but they do rate them to eat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 (edited) I shot my first one last year on the Ouse Washes and it was very tasty, if a little small when dressed. we have quite a few as well, how did you cook it ? Edited September 8, 2016 by islandgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Please inform the county bird recorder of any very early sightings of lowland goldens September is very early for them to start moving from the upland breeding grounds. The information will be very useful to record migration patterns. The Rspb guy was talking out of his ****. Gp numbers are stable a green status bird. Due to the fact that pasture land has been converted to arable in the last 50 years and the pheasant bashers don't shoot them anymore. A very bland tasting bird Imo.and better out of the oven than in it. September is not early for golden plover In North Norfolk we can see them from mid July onwards and in some years I have seen good numbers from mid August on stubbles. In the 2014 Norfolk Bird Report flocks of 425 were on the Wash and flocks of 150 in N Norfolk and 90 in the Broads in July and 5 sites reported 100 + flocks in the county during August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Flash roast in a hot oven, and then rested. Not much on them, but very nice. we have quite a few as well, how did you cook it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Thanks penelope , I often see them when walking around, I'll put some 7's in my pocket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 If they are high, fire a shot and they'll drop right down. Thanks penelope , I often see them when walking around, I'll put some 7's in my pocket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 talking to senior RSPB man at our marsh the other day and he said they are in decline because of heather burning and grouse shooting ! I just said ok and walked away. There seem to be more down here in recent years. There were always some around but over the last 5 or so years the flocks are bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzzicat Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 So now I am a Pheasant basher? what next ? Bambi nobblers? Fiver slayers? shooters have enough enemies without members of our own ranks making disparaging comments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) Pretty sure more goldies were always were shot by wildfowlers and rough shooters than game shooters. As for being bland tasting , not if you know how to cook them ! Edited September 9, 2016 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 If they are high, fire a shot and they'll drop right down. I am not sure that really work Penelope , not that I have tried it as I am far to tight to waste my cartridges on sayings like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 I am not sure that really work Penelope , not that I have tried it as I am far to tight to waste my cartridges on sayings like that It works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 It works. I agree. My first shot at Golden plover was when I was a boy of twelve years old with a twenty bore hammer gun. I knew what they were and 'browned' the flock of twenty birds or so. The whole lot hit the deck, then nineteen flew away leaving a single bird as my prize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 During the day for me it works sometimes , but just as often they keep high.I have lots of goldies on my Broadland shoot , but they are almost impossible to shoot at flight time. They come in just as its getting really dark at knee height in singles. Very hard to pick them up with a low dark skyline and dangerous if there are any other fowlers about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr D Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 A long time ago, when I little sense, I dropped 11 Goldie's for three shots. They are spectacular shooting coming into a field to feed at dark. Faster than any duck. You can forget about cartridge to kill ratios. They are a beautiful bird and as good to eat as any woodcock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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