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Vulnerable Beasts
At this time of year, squirrels always become extremely conspicuous. Two or three of the little blighters scuttle across the road every morning when I go up to the Chayne, and it’s always great to see them cartwheeling around the place with expressions of tremendous self importance. As they start stocking up for the winter,… Continue reading
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Autumn Business
The past few days have been totally exhausting. Settling a black lab puppy in to its new home when all it wants to do is bite, howl and excrete in prodigious quantities has proved to be quite a chore. Bit by bit the little hound is settling into her new life, and her nightly choral… Continue reading
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Winter Feeding
I bought a ton of wheat at the end of August, but the tiny trickle taken by chaffinches from my feed hoppers over the last two months has made me question my ambitious logic. Thankfully, the last few days have seen a real influx of visitors to the feeders, and I’m now starting to wonder… Continue reading
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A Near Miss
Up on the hill today, I flushed my favourite blackcock from a patch of heather overlooking the inbye fields. As soon as he was off the ground, it was obvious that something was wrong with him – his recently refurbished tail was almost entirely missing, and only the left outer tail covert remained. It was… Continue reading
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It’s What You Do With It That Counts
I am now the proud owner of a bolt action CZ .222 rifle. After the paperwork had gone through, it was simply a matter of signing on the dotted line and passing over the cash. Up on the hill, I had my highest hopes confirmed after the first shot which was still devastatingly loud, but… Continue reading
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The First Woodcock
Just wanted to record the fact that I saw my first woodcock of the season this afternoon. It flushed from the top of the woodcock strip and flew out over the heather after I had walked past, and it was a great sight. It’s still quite early for woodcock to be arriving, but I suppose… Continue reading
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A Partridge Day
After spending all day yesterday in pursuit of red legged partridges at the Northern School of Game and Wildlife near Penrith, I have a new respect for these birds. Driven from game crops and coppiced willow, the little meteors came zooming out at around head height before flaring steeply up over the guns to provide… Continue reading
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Making a Midden
After having snared for just less than a year on the Chayne, I need to refine my technique. Foxes use the land very sporadically, and they always seem to be passing through more than occupying set territories. Finding frequently used runs out in the open is a nightmare because the hill is a maze of… Continue reading
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A New Addition to the Team
After twenty years of shooting and three years of moorland conservation work, it’s clearly time I made the leap, bought a dog and stopped complaining that I never see any birds. A suitable black labrador puppy has been chosen and a deposit has been paid. In two weeks, I get to pick it up and… Continue reading
About
“Shout on, Morgan. You’ll be nothing tomorrow”
Swn y galon fach yn torri, 1952
Also at: https://andtheyellowale.substack.com
Bog Myrtle & Peat 