-
image007
-
image008
Dear All
Arrived at Tulchan shortly before 9 am. On arrival at the field there were no visible pigeons. I set myself up initially at the north hide as it is closest to the road and getting all my gear there was easiest. It is on the crest of the hill and gets the full blast of the wind when blowing from the west- as it was today. No danger of any midges today! However it was chilly. Having set up the decoys I got my binoculars out and immediately saw 4-5 pigeons feeding at the south east corner of the field in front of the other hide. As I emerged from the north hide they instantly saw me and fled east. I walked round to the south east hide leaving all my kit at the north hide. Inspecting the crops at this end it was immediately apparent that they are getting preferential treatment from the pigeons compared to the other end of the field. This end is well nibbled whereas the west end looks barely touched and growing well. I think this is because this end of the field is below the crest of the hill and well sheltered from the wind (big difference today). Also overlooking this corner are the mature beech trees which the pigeons use for cover and looking out from before descending onto the field. After sitting in the SE hide for 20 minutes I saw a pigeon up in the nearest beech tree casing the joint. After 10 minutes it descended to the field never to rise again on receiving a lead breakfast. I laid it out as a decoy and it was soon joined by another coming in along a flight line from the keillor road wood. This also became a decoy. Over the next 3/4 several pigeons came in singly but not in range- but I scared them off. I missed one easy pigeon as it took off from the beech tree because I forgot to take off my safety catch (drat and double drat!). At that point I went back to the north hide and brought the rest of my kit and decoys round to the south east one. By now the wind was getting quite strong and I did not see any more pigeons for 2 hours. The occasional one then came to sit in the Beech trees but only one ventured to the field but too far away to shoot at- so I just scared it. About 15:15 hours one finally came directly towards me along a flight line from the north west to me at the south east and I was able to down it above the field as was attempting to turn round as it saw me rising to shoot. I then packed up shortly after 16:00 hours.
I suspect the cover crops will need guarding for at least another week, but I’m not an expert. I also suspect that the south east hide is the one we should be concentrating on using at present (if I had gone there first I think my bag would have been twice the size). Flight lines seem to be either from the east from keillor road; or from the north west coming over the north hide from the pen area to the beech trees before descending to the field at the south east corner (from where you can see them coming- in the north hide you only see them once they’ve passed you). Also its probably best to approach the south hide along the south edge of the field in the shade of the beech trees for cover. Coming round the north side is pretty exposed. I hope this is helpful.
Weather forecast for Tuesday is not encouraging but will give some needed watering for the crops.
Incidentally there are quite a few pheasants around. Also saw the buzzard and plenty of swallows/sand martins. Also had to let Frank know that one of this lambs had got under the gate and was running up and down the dirt track.
On the way home I noticed the field near Easter Campsie had 10-15 pigeons feasting on it- so they are about.
Assuming the crops are still vulnerable I’ll return next Monday unless folk think it not necessary.
Now to finish cleaning my gun- I’ve already breasted the pigeons.
Best wishes,
Alistair.
Neil Armstrong
armstrongnj.work
m: +44 (0) 7881511514
