G
Guest
Guest
Archived from groups: uk.rec.shooting.game (More info?)
As I've posted here before, I have been feeding a duck flight pond all
summer. At its peak, the duck were eating about 2/3rds of a bucket of
barley each and every night. Recently, there have been about eight teal
during the day and a few mallard. Probably up to 20 at night. Now NOTHING!
Immediately before their total disappearance, I noticed the barley was
going below the water line but not from dry land. During the summer, the
duck were leaving the water and walking up to a dozen yards from the pond
to eat barley. I suspect the reason they stopped leaving the water was
foxes. I have caught several about 50 yards from the pond but there is
nowhere suitable for snaring closer to the pond although the weed growth
(since sprayed) would have given a stalking fox good cover.
Last night I waited to see what would come in to the pond. Absolutely
nothing! This from a peak of around 40 during the day and an indeterminate
number at night.
However, I did see something swimming in the water. Eventually, it came out
of the water and ran towards me. I am pretty sure it was an otter cub. It
seemed to be playing in the water and when it came out, it appeared to be
shaped like a large rat about the size of a domestic cat. When it saw me,
it turned and ran back to the pond.
Now, would a family of otters cause the duck to desert the pond? The pond
is about 75 yards x 75 yards with a small island. Today, I have been
erecting electric netting, but without a lot of hope.
Thanks for your wisdom as usual.
Derry
As I've posted here before, I have been feeding a duck flight pond all
summer. At its peak, the duck were eating about 2/3rds of a bucket of
barley each and every night. Recently, there have been about eight teal
during the day and a few mallard. Probably up to 20 at night. Now NOTHING!
Immediately before their total disappearance, I noticed the barley was
going below the water line but not from dry land. During the summer, the
duck were leaving the water and walking up to a dozen yards from the pond
to eat barley. I suspect the reason they stopped leaving the water was
foxes. I have caught several about 50 yards from the pond but there is
nowhere suitable for snaring closer to the pond although the weed growth
(since sprayed) would have given a stalking fox good cover.
Last night I waited to see what would come in to the pond. Absolutely
nothing! This from a peak of around 40 during the day and an indeterminate
number at night.
However, I did see something swimming in the water. Eventually, it came out
of the water and ran towards me. I am pretty sure it was an otter cub. It
seemed to be playing in the water and when it came out, it appeared to be
shaped like a large rat about the size of a domestic cat. When it saw me,
it turned and ran back to the pond.
Now, would a family of otters cause the duck to desert the pond? The pond
is about 75 yards x 75 yards with a small island. Today, I have been
erecting electric netting, but without a lot of hope.
Thanks for your wisdom as usual.
Derry