Treacodactyl
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Grey squirrels devastate UK song birdsI've read about this in several places now, some places just mention grey squirrels and others also wild cats and other animals. It seems that the latest research by the charity "Songbird Survival" has decided it's not farming's just fault but the high rate of predation by animals such as grey squirrels. It suggests that up to 85% of adult birds can be lost. I notice from their web site they say they are "Disaffected ex-RSPB members".
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Bernie66
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Bloody things are in my attic, have destroyed a pack of photo's of my eldest from her birth, destroyed two antique teddys and eaten a load of books. Sadly they have to go........And its going to hurt them more than its going to hurt me 
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Shane
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Some nice plump woodies made a nest in an ivy-covered pear tree next to my garden, and the squirrels ate the eggs. The adult woodies were just getting numerous enough to make a pie, too. 
There's never any baby birds in our garden, but there's always plenty of squirrels. I think I shall be finding out how they taste by the end of the summer, and hopefully next spring the garden will be full of fledgings.
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Bernie66
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| Shane wrote: | Some nice plump woodies made a nest in an ivy-covered pear tree next to my garden, and the squirrels ate the eggs. The adult woodies were just getting numerous enough to make a pie, too.
There's never any baby birds in our garden, but there's always plenty of squirrels. I think I shall be finding out how they taste by the end of the summer, and hopefully next spring the garden will be full of fledgings. |
They taste fine barbecued, but not sure if the flesh will be tainted by what they are eating in the attic  .
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Shane
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Mine seem to feast exclusively on the contents of birds' nest and (my) bird food (and feeders), so hopefully they'll be alright. Just hope that they won't get suspicious at how much easier it is to stuff themselves on peanuts this year!
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Bernie66
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Saves marinating the little bas***ds
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bernie-woman
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| Bernie66 wrote: | | Saves marinating the little bas***ds |
But they are soo cutesy, fluffy and they have lovely fluffy tails 
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Bernie66
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Yes, I know BUT I have lost alot of irreplaceable photos of my daughter so...........
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dpack
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toasted or stewed , roadkill /trapped or shot (if you have the paitience ) they are yummy .
and they make useful if small skins and fur products (good for trout flies )
a good quarry to teach hunting skills
they are ever so quick ,fairly clever and can be had most places .as vermin they are legally fair game (remember to have permission to hunt on that land but ....)
they can bite
better eating than bunny .
if you are using a low power weapon (a legal 12 ft /lb airgun ) the ballistic arc will not apply if you are shooting one overhead so sights set for horizontal shooting to a target distance will be wrong for a vertical shot with no ballistic curve due to gravity .
dont use a bow weapon un less you want to climb for dinner
multiple noose snares on a 45 degree sloped branch leading up to a tree trunk can be very productive in the proper location (where they go up anyway ) let them get used to it before the snares get set .
i still need a big freezer
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dpack
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they may be fluffy to look at ,thats why they make good fishing flies , but taking plenty cos there are plenty seems ethical to me .
unless another preditor asks for the job i have adapted to conditions , im still including them in my diet
and they taste good .
ps dont do overhead shots with firearms ever .it aint clever . but a 12 ft/lb will be stopped by target or leaves ,mostly . it isnt a good idea.
so snare ,volvo or trap . sometimes they fall out of trees and pavements are solid . a fresh one under a tree fell (or was he pushed  violent wee critters )
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Bernie66
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I am thinking humaine trap in the attic baited with nuts then pull their necks, freeze til I have enough then stew, barbecue or pie.
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Shane
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| Bernie66 wrote: | | pull their necks |
Blimey - good luck!
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Bernie66
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What else is there to do with them once they are caught? |It seems like the quickest and most humaine way to dispatch them.
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Shane
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I'm not sure how easy it is to pick up a squirrel and wring its neck, that's all. They are quick, strong, well armed and vicious.
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Treacodactyl
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I've just reading some advice on dispatching them. As most will know it's illegal to release the greys if they are caught in a humane trap. It's also illegal to drwon them so the suggested method is to release them into a sack where they can be helt and hit over the head.
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Shane
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Does it give advice on recognising which bit of the sack is the head?
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bodger
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Bernie !
for goodness sake don't try and pull there necks They will have your fingers down to stumps before you can say " Bloody Hell that hurt ! "
If you manage to catch them in a humane trap I would shoot them with a .22 air rifle in the trap . Better still set a couple of Fenn traps in your loft and they will kill them instantly .
Rat poison on whole wheat in the loft will sort them out a treat but then you can't eat them of course .
Depending on where you live,a good air rifle can be a practical and very sporting way of controlling them !
When I worked as a pest controller I often had a heck of a job to persuade people that they hadn't been burgled by a gang of hooligans . The amount of damage that squirrels can cause is unbelievable . Their introduction into this country is just another example of human interference !
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Treacodactyl
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| Shane wrote: | | Does it give advice on recognising which bit of the sack is the head? |
That'll be the end that's gnawing it's way out I expect.
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Bernie66
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| Bodger wrote: | Bernie !
for goodness sake don't try and pull there necks They will have your fingers down to stumps before you can say " Bloody Hell that hurt ! "
If you manage to catch them in a humane trap I would shoot them with a .22 air rifle in the trap . Better still set a couple of Fenn traps in your loft and they will kill them instantly .
Rat poison on whole wheat in the loft will sort them out a treat but then you can't eat them of course .
Depending on where you live,a good air rifle can be a practical and very sporting way of controlling them !
When I worked as a pest controller I often had a heck of a job to persuade people that they hadn't been burgled by a gang of hooligans . The amount of damage that squirrels can cause is unbelievable . Their introduction into this country is just another example of human interference !
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I was going to use a chain mail gloved hand to get the first grip on the little blighters, I 'm not that brave! But thanks for the warning...........
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dpack
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easy to handle once they are dead
and tasty 
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they bite if they are alive
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