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The Spotlight Kid
Senior Member
360 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Oct 2007 : 20:26:15
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| Is anyone else noticing a significant increase in squirrel calls over the past couple of weeks. Must be the colder weather driving them in for shelter. I'm strugling to share the cages and Kanias out, as soon as I reclaim any they go out on the next job. Not that I'm complaining of course as there isn't much that's more satisfying than Grey Squirrel control. |
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Fenn Man
Senior Member
Ireland
334 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2007 : 04:00:49
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I'd recieve my first Gray call out here with mixed feelings, Spots.
Up untill now, I've always briefed " Sounds in the roof space " clients that it was likely mice. Maybe birds. Quite possibly Pine Marten - we're infested with the damn things here abouts.
But just recently we got the word; They've breached the Shannon! Tree Rats have now been sighted and confirmed in both counties Roscommon and Leitrim. The Leitrim reports being from virtually on my own doorstep at that. Adds a certain frisson to glancing out the window, I can tell ye!
Happily, I brought a good stock of squirrel suitable cages with me. And a couple of mates of mine, down in Roscommon, are the very Buggers for a bit of trapping! 
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The Spotlight Kid
Senior Member
360 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2007 : 07:59:38
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| Hadn't realised they were in short supply over the water. Are Pine Martens protected over there as they are over here and how do you deal with them? |
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eekamouse
Senior Member
United Kingdom
152 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2007 : 09:42:38
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Hi Spot and Fen. How you doin?
We've just started to incur the wrath of greys up here. Very, very, uncommmon, mostly reds,thank God, but martens and wildcats...well if you are out foxing on the hill at night its not just foxes that will run into your squeak, martens and wildcats (the real McCoy by the way) are in abundance. Martens will never come all the way, they are quite spooked by a lamp, but cats will come all the way in and then run off only at last 10 yards or so if wind is in right direction. It's not uncommon at all, especially in forestry clearings. Saw a pair of martens raiding a wild plum tree at about 2.00am. Got right below them with lamp and they were like huge coala bears just sitting looking down into lamp. Also seeing loads more Barn owls nowadays. As you know they will come and hover over the very vehicle you are lamping and squeaking out of. Beautiful birds.
What do you guys feel about the proposed badger cull (or is this too public a site!)
Oops here go the floodgates. Ta ta
regards Dave |
Edited by - eekamouse on 23 Oct 2007 09:43:31 |
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The Spotlight Kid
Senior Member
360 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2007 : 18:58:19
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Hi Dave,
I hope you sort those greys out pretty quick as I guess you're one of the guardians of the Reds up there. I've never seen a Marten or genuine Wildcat and I've travelled most of Scotland over the years, just Ospreys and Red Squirrels. The Hooded Crows of course aren't seen down here either. Plenty of owls though and the Red Kites are only a couple of miles away now just over the border in Herefordshire.
I used to love the fishing in Scotland for the wild Brownies in the small hill lochs and burns using flies or red worms. What are the pest control oportunities like in the highlands?!?
Who mentioned Badgers ? I suppose it depends whether you farm cattle for your livelyhood. If you do you will support the cull as I believe the proof, if circumstantial, is certainly very compelling. A friend of mine is a vet and he has no doubts about the Badger's guilt. Anyway, time to get the old head back behind the parapet I think. |
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eekamouse
Senior Member
United Kingdom
152 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2007 : 19:24:34
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Spot
Blimey we must have been seperated at birth matey! I just love brownie bashing as well! In fact I like to just have a scrap and put them back knackered but ok to fight another day. I'll never make a good caster, maybe it's being a south paw, but no-one enjoys it more than me.
Went out for last of the seasons mackerel last week and a minkie came along side our 19 foot boat. It was like a budget version of Jaws.
Am looking after an estate on the banks of the Spey at present whilst keeper is in Disney world - uggghh! Fish, Spot; you've never seen salmon like it, every inch of the water was moving with them last week.
Oops sorry forgot this was a pest control forum,ahem.
Pest control careers up here? come on up! I can just about cope on me tod. (easy jet'll get you here for �30 one way!) I never looked back on moving up. |
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The Spotlight Kid
Senior Member
360 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2007 : 20:18:14
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Seperated at birth eh? I've often wondered what that scar was!
I hate to admit it but the Salmon is one of those fish I've never caught (if you exclude parr). I can just see you walking the estate on the banks of the Spey with your deer-stalker and plus-fours. Do you get any fishing rights while you're there?
�30 one way eh? Don't tempt me. |
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Squirrels more squirrels
