Signs of Spring?

[eastcoast 4,352]

7 hours ago, pesky1972 said:

Got a decent sized bit of lawn at the back and now the garden’s full of young starlings, mouths agape, running round after the adults which are busy rooting for leatherjackets. Had the sprinkler out on Sunday and some came in for a ‘shower. It was interesting watching the different characters.., how some were bold and some were very cautious. It’s a dangerous time whilst they’re still learning to get about. Came out to a pile of feathers this morning, which I’d usually chalk up to the neighbourhood sparrowhawk, but suspect the murderer was a carrion crow that was drinking out the bird bath.., no doubt washing down one of the bold or slow Starlings.

Starlings being a bird that I used to dismiss but now appreciate their beauty. Once a staple for ferret food shot in the back garden, now a welcome point of interest and a little bit of sanity when taking the parents for ice cream at the seaside.

[mackem 29,077]

1 minute ago, eastcoast said:

Starlings being a bird that I used to dismiss but now appreciate their beauty. Once a staple for ferret food shot in the back garden, now a welcome point of interest and a little bit of sanity when taking the parents for ice cream at the seaside.

I had a mist net when I was still at school,that and my BSA kept my ferrets well fed during summer,good pic,wouldn’t shoot one now.

[eastcoast 4,352]

On 20/05/2025 at 11:44, pesky1972 said:

Nice on toast with a bit of English mustard that.

Pardon, monsieur, we don't eat them here, even with English mustard  

[Greyman 30,480]

On 20/05/2025 at 19:02, eastcoast said:

Starlings being a bird that I used to dismiss but now appreciate their beauty. Once a staple for ferret food shot in the back garden, now a welcome point of interest and a little bit of sanity when taking the parents for ice cream at the seaside.

Agree with everything you say we would shoot one on the lawn prop it u in a little Y shaped stick and draw more in shoot them and repeat but as you say beautiful and intelligent birds nice to see them making a comeback 

[pesky1972 5,584]

On 20/05/2025 at 19:05, mackem said:

I had a mist net when I was still at school,that and my BSA kept my ferrets well fed during summer,good pic,wouldn’t shoot one now.

Aged maybe 7 or 8 I used to catch them and sparrows using my mum’s washing basket propped up with a stick with a string run to me hiding at the back door…, the design of which I got from one of those ‘boy’s own’ type books. 
I’d bait my trap with stale bread (remember when bread actually went stale).., they’d get wise pretty quick but there was always be a bold or reckless one to catch. I did graduate to knocking a few over with an air rifle, but my old man put a stop to that after I cracked a pane in one of the neighbour’s doors with a ricochet. Like you say, wouldn’t dream of it now, although I’d have a few of the big fat woodies that frequent the garden if I thought I’d get away with it.

[mackem 29,077]

1 minute ago, pesky1972 said:

Aged maybe 7 or 8 I used to catch them and sparrows using my mum’s washing basket propped up with a stick with a string run to me hiding at the back door…, the design of which I got from one of those ‘boy’s own’ type books. 
I’d bait my trap with stale bread (remember when bread actually went stale).., they’d get wise pretty quick but there was always be a bold or reckless one to catch. I did graduate to knocking a few over with an air rifle, but my old man put a stop to that after I cracked a pane in one of the neighbour’s doors with a ricochet. Like you say, wouldn’t dream of it now, although I’d have a few of the big fat woodies that frequent the garden if I thought I’d get away with it.

I did DIY traps,then got a chardonneret? Trap from an old bird trapper,but decided to buy a mist net as I had a load of ferret kits one summer,good times.

[shaaark 11,006]

On 12/05/2025 at 12:48, WataWalloper said:

I’m on crow control for a bit, got a ducks nest in the yard an I want them to make it to the pond atleast, so the air rifle is out an ready haha 

You still got that 97, katch?