Bag: Total 18 16 Pheasant 1 Duck 1 Woodcock
The day started off very chilly at -1c and a biting wind from the north. The usual huddle by the cars was missing at 9 am with everyone in the hut and lighting the stove.
Frank was in bed with ‘flu (hope he gets well quickly) and we only had one beater with a dog in addition to Derek.
The first drive was the lower Buchanty burn which I think yielded one or two shot pheasants. The drive from the ponds to Franks became pleasant as the sun grew stronger – though it involved a long stand staring into the said sun with very little action. It was evident that there was not a lot of birds to be found. Either they were away or staying low in the cold.
The drive before lunch was with guns lined along the Keilor road and produced a better number of birds for some of the guns. Access up the Keilor road and into the field was restricted by the laying of a superfast broadband fibre optic cable. After lunch we lined out north of the “main road” which again produced a small number of pheasants and the od partridge – again the sun not helping when they did fly over. The “new” stock on Bobby’s gun cracked when he took a shot during this one and from then on he gallantly joined the beating line.
The drive surrounding the arm and up it again produced few shots. Finally, we lined out beneath the roundals. Again few pheasants appeared but three partridges escaped unscathed towards the barn area.
There were not many chances presenting to the guns, but of those that did most were cleanly taken.
I thought that I had counted 16 pheasants hanging on the hut- but others said 15. There was also one duck, one woodcock, not sure if any partridges or pigeons were taken.
It was a lovely sunny but chilly day on frozen ground- so dry feet. Views were great as was the Company.
There were obviously far fewer birds around than on last Saturday. Whether this was because of the cold, or too soon after Saturday, or just the time of the season is up for debate. I gather last Saturday may have benefitted from birds arriving from north of the river earlier on that day. Hopefully, there will still be some sport for the Saturday gun’s next outing- and it remains to be seen what the last walked up day will produce.
Best wishes,
Alistair
