PHIL HARDMAN
humans and animals are so separate, so
different, (don’t they consider all animals –
including humans – to be equal, with the same
rights?) that we have no business interfering in
nature, yet they live in houses that were built
smack bang in the middle of it; the society of
which they are part has constantly encroached
on it, but they are blind to it. So long as they
get to look out the window and see a pretty
little bird, they are happy – they are lovers of
nature. It doesn’t seem to matter if it’s a
magpie, because all of the songbirds have
been killed off, just so long as they see ‘nature’
when they look outside.
FROM ALL DIRECTIONS
Luckily for me, my call to arms came a few
days before Natural England revoked the
general licences, so I was still blissfully
unaware of the chaos that loomed ahead as I
took up position in the hide. The set-up is really
great, with small feeders, natural perches, and
all manner of songbird nesting boxes spread
out into the wood directly in front of the hide,
which is itself a luxury affair. The only real
downside is that it doesn’t offer a very good
view of any sort of elevation, which means that
any birds that land high up in the trees close to
the hide, are relatively safe.
Before I took up position, I spread some feed
out onto the ground and on the many small
table-like perches to make it even more
tempting for any magpies that might come
near, to drop down to eat instead of perching
in the trees above.
By the time I got into the hide, the small
songbirds had already started to flit down to
feed; great tits, robins, finches, all immediately
appearing from all directions. I sat back and
watched as they went about their business.
The other downside, or maybe plus side to ahide this well made, is that I cannot see
anything until it’s there, directly in front of me.
The reason I say this could be a plus side is,
because they cannot see me at all, no matter
what angle. In fact, I would bet a bird could
land on the roof of the hide and still have no
clue that I was inside.UNWANTED GUEST
After 20 minutes, or so, I started to settle down.
With such a limited view, there isn’t a lot to
watch and so it becomes difficult to keep
yourself occupied and by 40 minutes I will
admit I had my phone out, browsing the ‘net,
checking Facebook, but still keeping a watchful
eye on the feeders.
The first unwanted guest to drop in was a
magpie, which landed silently, but caught my
eye instantly. It was on a large, vertical branch
at the back of the feeding area, but as I put my
phone down and picked up my rifle, it hopped
to a closer perch and turned its back to me, its
head tilted, eyes downward as it looked at the
grain I had scattered on the floor. Instantly, I
took my chance and fired, the pellet landing
directly between its shoulder blades almost
instantly, thanks to the short range. TheSongbird heaven - and I
intend to keep it that way!
Not the biggest bag, but
still one I’m proud of.24 AIRGUN WORLD http://www.airgunshooting.co.uk