tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post309299914357841104..comments2024-03-25T14:11:43.432+00:00Comments on Of Esox & observations : BWKm0 No. 50 - I was almost rightDylan Wrathallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-14423310878826301362021-03-24T22:14:25.349+00:002021-03-24T22:14:25.349+00:00Stewart, I don't dislike Brown Rats, in fact I...Stewart, I don't dislike Brown Rats, in fact I think they are rather entertaining creatures when I encounter them whilst out fishing or birding. It's the proximity to my home which causes the problem and, if they stay beyond the garden boundaries, live and let live works well for me. Hoping that your spring birding delivers all that you wish - take care - DylDylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-70753269443152000322021-03-24T14:22:20.603+00:002021-03-24T14:22:20.603+00:00Dyl, your circumstances are very like my own. I al...Dyl, your circumstances are very like my own. I als back onto farmland, rough grass and some arable. It is after harvest here that things get worse as they move to my spilled seed to feed... poor things, but they are free to go about thier business as long as its over my garden wall!Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985665182124985194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-29239477681328284682021-03-23T22:20:11.591+00:002021-03-23T22:20:11.591+00:00As our garden backs on to arable farmland, Brown R...As our garden backs on to arable farmland, Brown Rats are a regular feature of the annual cycle. We always see them after they are displaced by the harvest. The influx that I'm dealing with, at present, is purely down to the displaced seed from the bird feeders. It is unbelievable how sloppy Green & Gold finches are when eating sunflower hearts. I have used poison in the past but never felt comfortable with the possible knock on effects. The dead rats are now fox fodder, without the poison worries, and the hedgehogs and my neighbour's cats remain unaffected when they are in the vicinity. Cheers for taking time to comment, your support is much appreciated - DylDylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-27190567509604268802021-03-23T22:08:44.231+00:002021-03-23T22:08:44.231+00:00Derek, I'm happy for the parakeets to use my f...Derek, I'm happy for the parakeets to use my feeders. Not so sure I'd be all that amused if I were a fruit farmer though? Still they are a familiar part of the Thanet bird scene and fit in well with all the other weird things our seaside Isle is known for.Dylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-63310217900320674002021-03-23T22:04:41.365+00:002021-03-23T22:04:41.365+00:00Bob, we all have to grow up eventually. Got to be ...Bob, we all have to grow up eventually. Got to be preferable to shooting Mallards in Hemel town centre, hasn't it?Dylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-30224182076008067122021-03-23T11:11:28.374+00:002021-03-23T11:11:28.374+00:00I also shoot them Dyl. It is by far the cleanest m...I also shoot them Dyl. It is by far the cleanest most discerning way to get rid. Poisons are cruel and kill other small rodents too, like voles etc. I bought a gun 3 yrs ago when up to a dozen rats would feed on our drive in broad daylight. Ive not seen one at all thgis year as I now remove one within the same day it appears. The crows eat the bodies flung into our back field!Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985665182124985194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-58580830554653937622021-03-23T10:26:27.730+00:002021-03-23T10:26:27.730+00:00I'm all for pest controls and especially your ...I'm all for pest controls and especially your method. Not sure that I'd be happy to see those parakeets on my feeders though, noisy bloody things.Derek Faulknerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05140363868104172311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-49379910371633893382021-03-23T10:22:44.894+00:002021-03-23T10:22:44.894+00:00I too have access to an air rifle Dyl. I use it to...I too have access to an air rifle Dyl. I use it to control influx of rats frequenting our gardens. Poisons are not an option for us as dog owners, also we have frequent feline and other wildlife we dont wish to harm. How our lives have changed from those early days Eh!Bob490https://www.blogger.com/profile/14871193906988474834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-69020040343611448172021-03-23T07:58:46.297+00:002021-03-23T07:58:46.297+00:00Not too sure that everyone will see it that way Ri...Not too sure that everyone will see it that way Ric, but it works for me. As for John Darling - I spent an absolutely riotous time with John, up at a NASA conference at Loughborough, just after the launch of Airgun World magazine. He was a lovely, kind and generous man.Dylan Wrathallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285181139467170047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338589224051075532.post-74014590921769704782021-03-23T07:14:27.646+00:002021-03-23T07:14:27.646+00:00Dyl, Shooting is considered the only humane way to...Dyl, Shooting is considered the only humane way to deal with these items. I understand that rats/squirrels caught alive in traps are not allowed to be drowned. As for poison what about the bodies that are then eaten by scavengers?<br /><br />I've watched some videos of the late John Darling on Utube on the shooting of vermin. Sensible fare.Richttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02714117508358025668noreply@blogger.com