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Tomorrow. Had the call


Adge Cutler
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Got a call ( well email actually) from a local chap. I've not often shot on his land but the pigeons have turned their attention from the woods bounding his land to some sprouting rape. Went up earlier and popped a couple of shells off and about 10 00 plus birds lifted off.

 

Thing is its a 40 acre field and they seem to be feeding all over it and the Gentleman said he had watched the birds fly in small groups from first light this morning between 7:30 and 10:30 from all directions.

 

The field is bisected by a power line so close to that near the larger wood will be the first point of set up.

 

Any advice ?

 

 

 

 

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I know birds can get stupidly used to gas guns but I personally don't like lifting them off a field with a shot gun. The other thing that I learned not to do is sit anywhere near a power line if it could be helped, I also wouldn't want to set up too close to any large or holding woods.

 

Get there really early and watch for busy, steady flight lines that have some sort of cover you can get up against and be prepared to move if you have to.

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I know birds can get stupidly used to gas guns but I personally don't like lifting them off a field with a shot gun. The other thing that I learned not to do is sit anywhere near a power line if it could be helped, I also wouldn't want to set up too close to any large or holding woods.

 

Get there really early and watch for busy, steady flight lines that have some sort of cover you can get up against and be prepared to move if you have to.

That's good advice thanks.

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Walk the birds off in the morning and see how they react, if they are keen to feed there then will they will be back in a short time. Birds returning should give an indication of where to set up depending on wind etc.

If the birds are reluctant to return it's possibly a waste of time.

 

Good luck and keep us posted. :good:

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Well I did a reccie first thing this morning and combined it with a bit of early morning twitching.

 

Pigeons started to arrive to the rape at 7:30 on the dot as the Farmer said they would..!

 

They were also flighting in from all corners, but the Majority following a old collapsed drystone wall interspersed with the odd tree and bramble thicket.

 

I was going to shoot this morning and set up behind a old wooden gate that has partially collapsed against the wall but I was diverted by a big flock of Golden Plovers 150 strong, about 30 meadow pipits, a massive flock of various finches including a couple of Bramblings and several Corn buntings, 2 Wheatears and a Winchat. These distracted me somewhat...at least the early start wasn't wasted however and I intend to shoot the field on Tuesday Morning.

 

The Farmer is happy with this because he has some guests for Lunch and the village and farmhouse is quite close by so he wasn't too keen to have me popping away on a Sunday Morning. Which is fair enough..... all the locals have the right to a quiet sunday and use of the countryside amenity too.

Edited by Adge Cutler
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Yes its quite big, the landscape is a patchwork quilt of fields which are transected by dry stone walls and hedges. As you get into North Gloucestershire /South Oxfordshire the fields seem to get bigger.

 

I think rope Bangers is a good idea there are a couple of places they can go

 

Cheers

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I would consider being diverted like that a serious bonus, Fantastic selection of bird life you have down there. Best of luck on the pigeons.

Yes very lucky, Just down the road is the Severn Vale and Estuary and Slimbridge WWT and close by across the river the Forest of Dean.

 

Bathurst woods bound much of the Land I have access to and these are ancient mixed woodland. Full of Deer, birds and other Fauna.

 

In this Wood alone since 1st January beside the more common species I have recorded, Hawfinches, Redpoll, Crosbill, Bramblings, Siskins, Nightingale, Wood Warbler, Short Eared Owl, Tree Pipit and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. !

 

And at nearby sites ... Pied Flycatchers, Redstart, Hen and Marsh Harriers, Osprey, ( Currently on Soudley Ponds) Tree Sparrow, Goshawk, Resident Woodcock. Nightjar, Jack Snipe, Winchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel and Siberian Chiffchaff !

 

I don't have the space for the Cotswold Water Park I'm afraid...but you can add Bittern, Cattle and Little egret to that along with Gadwall, Garganey and Shoveler

 

Oh I forgot to add European Quail, Several of them near Eastleach in the summer. :yes::)

Edited by Adge Cutler
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