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Mice blasted mice
Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes
along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? -- Please reply to group,emails to designated address are never read. |
Mice blasted mice
"Broadback" wrote in message ... Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? -- Please reply to group,emails to designated address are never read. More like a Fox? -- Mike The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association www.rneba.org.uk Luxury Self Catering on the Isle of Wight? www.shanklinmanormews.co.uk |
Mice blasted mice
In article ,
says... Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? Fox seems more likely -- Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and Lapageria rosea |
Mice blasted mice
Broadback wrote:
Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I suppose it's possible. Is it an allotment or a garden? I guess it's equally possible something like a cat or fox has caught itself in your trap and been unable to remove them? Anyhow, at least your mice are sticking to the outdoors. We've trapped (nasty snappy traps, unfortunately - tried humanely throwing them out on the compost heap for them to be back next day!) 2 so far, plus one that must have been hit by the trap then crawled off to die (and make a stinky smell in my pan cupboard!) |
Mice blasted mice
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Mice blasted mice
Broadback wrote:
It is a large garden. I have not seen any sign of foxes since I "rabbit proofed" the garden with chicken wire. Still whatever it was I need to buy some more traps. This time I think I will drill a hole in the base and peg them to the ground, see how that goes. Perhaps you could add more rabbit-proofing to the traps? Then a larger animal (fox, rabbit, pigeon, etc) wouldn't get to them, but mice would still? Have you tried covering the plantings with spiky twigs (which are in plentiful supply atm!)? |
Mice blasted mice
Broadback wrote:
It is a large garden. I have not seen any sign of foxes since I "rabbit proofed" the garden with chicken wire. Still whatever it was I need to buy some more traps. This time I think I will drill a hole in the base and peg them to the ground, see how that goes. You may have stopped them digging under the fence, but a fox will climb over a 6 ft panel fence without problem. -- Jeff |
Mice blasted mice
wrote:
Broadback wrote: It is a large garden. I have not seen any sign of foxes since I "rabbit proofed" the garden with chicken wire. Still whatever it was I need to buy some more traps. This time I think I will drill a hole in the base and peg them to the ground, see how that goes. Perhaps you could add more rabbit-proofing to the traps? Then a larger animal (fox, rabbit, pigeon, etc) wouldn't get to them, but mice would still? Traps used against vermin by gamekeepers have to be covered. I'd suggest you do the same. Wire netting tunnels at least. Perhaps put them under upturned suitable sized plantpots with a stone under the rim to let Mr. or Mrs. Mouse in easily. Mice like to be under cover anyway so give them somehere "interesting" to hide :-) -- Phil Cook http://www.therewaslight.co.uk |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-24 16:47:44 +0000, Aries said:
On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000, Broadback wrote: Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I had most of my early broad beans dug up last year - but by squirrels ! and also a cock pheasant! We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! -- Sacha |
Mice blasted mice
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-24 16:47:44 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000, Broadback wrote: Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I had most of my early broad beans dug up last year - but by squirrels ! and also a cock pheasant! We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! I sow our broad beans, and other beans in pots and then plant out. That way there are no gaps in the row. Steve |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said:
On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- Sacha |
Mice blasted mice
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? Tina |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-25 23:59:17 +0000, "Christina Websell"
said: "Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? Tina I'd heard of that trick and no, it doesn't! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha writes
On 2009-11-25 23:59:17 +0000, "Christina Websell" said: "Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? I'd heard of that trick and no, it doesn't! I don't think the poachers were intending sport though, were they? Just an easy, efficient and quiet kill. -- Kay |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-26 11:06:57 +0000, K said:
Sacha writes On 2009-11-25 23:59:17 +0000, "Christina Websell" said: "Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? I'd heard of that trick and no, it doesn't! I don't think the poachers were intending sport though, were they? Just an easy, efficient and quiet kill. Oh definitely - food for the pot etc. But I do agree with Val that it's a bit hard on the poor old pheasants to exploit their weakness! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha writes
On 2009-11-26 11:06:57 +0000, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-11-25 23:59:17 +0000, "Christina Websell" said: "Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? I'd heard of that trick and no, it doesn't! I don't think the poachers were intending sport though, were they? Just an easy, efficient and quiet kill. Oh definitely - food for the pot etc. But I do agree with Val that it's a bit hard on the poor old pheasants to exploit their weakness! You reckon the pheasants prefer the alternative? ;-) -- Kay |
Mice blasted mice
"Broadback" wrote in message ... Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? -- Please reply to group,emails to designated address are never read. If birds are responsible, my bet would be Magpies If you try again, Peg down the traps to see if you did manage to catch mice! Bill |
Mice blasted mice
On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:16:12 +0000, Sacha wrote:
On 2009-11-26 11:06:57 +0000, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-11-25 23:59:17 +0000, "Christina Websell" said: "Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? I'd heard of that trick and no, it doesn't! I don't think the poachers were intending sport though, were they? Just an easy, efficient and quiet kill. Oh definitely - food for the pot etc. But I do agree with Val that it's a bit hard on the poor old pheasants to exploit their weakness! Way to go!! -- ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°¹ |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-26 16:31:53 +0000, K said:
Sacha writes On 2009-11-26 11:06:57 +0000, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-11-25 23:59:17 +0000, "Christina Websell" said: "Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? I'd heard of that trick and no, it doesn't! I don't think the poachers were intending sport though, were they? Just an easy, efficient and quiet kill. Oh definitely - food for the pot etc. But I do agree with Val that it's a bit hard on the poor old pheasants to exploit their weakness! You reckon the pheasants prefer the alternative? ;-) Whooping it up on raisins and bring on the dancing hens? You bet. ;-) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-26 19:18:40 +0000, "Bill Grey" said:
"Broadback" wrote in message ... Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? -- Please reply to group,emails to designated address are never read. If birds are responsible, my bet would be Magpies Or owls, rooks, crows, buzzards, all strong birds. If you try again, Peg down the traps to see if you did manage to catch mice! Bill Good idea. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha writes
On 2009-11-26 16:31:53 +0000, K said: Sacha writes Oh definitely - food for the pot etc. But I do agree with Val that it's a bit hard on the poor old pheasants to exploit their weakness! You reckon the pheasants prefer the alternative? ;-) Whooping it up on raisins and bring on the dancing hens? You bet. ;-) No, I meant the alternative which ends up with them being shot in a sporting manner, as I'm sure you knew ;-) -- Kay |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-26 23:18:23 +0000, K said:
Sacha writes On 2009-11-26 16:31:53 +0000, K said: Sacha writes Oh definitely - food for the pot etc. But I do agree with Val that it's a bit hard on the poor old pheasants to exploit their weakness! You reckon the pheasants prefer the alternative? ;-) Whooping it up on raisins and bring on the dancing hens? You bet. ;-) No, I meant the alternative which ends up with them being shot in a sporting manner, as I'm sure you knew ;-) They probably stand more chance of getting away on a shoot. Of course, if they're halfway sensible, they walk and don't get shot anyway. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-28 13:11:25 +0000, VivienB said:
On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:26:18 +0000, Sacha wrote: if they're halfway sensible, You were previously talking about pheasants. 'Sensible' is not a description that is commonly used for such beautiful, daft birds! I must admit the phrase 'bird brained' could have been coined for them! Driving down a lane with one running in front of you has to be one of the most frustrating things to do in the country! After a very, very long time, it occurs to this avian genius that it does have wings and getting up and away over a hedge is preferable to the alternative! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha writes
On 2009-11-28 13:11:25 +0000, VivienB said: On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:26:18 +0000, Sacha wrote: if they're halfway sensible, You were previously talking about pheasants. 'Sensible' is not a description that is commonly used for such beautiful, daft birds! I must admit the phrase 'bird brained' could have been coined for them! Driving down a lane with one running in front of you has to be one of the most frustrating things to do in the country! After a very, very long time, it occurs to this avian genius that it does have wings and getting up and away over a hedge is preferable to the alternative! About as bright as sheep, then -- Kay |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-11-28 15:37:03 +0000, K said:
Sacha writes On 2009-11-28 13:11:25 +0000, VivienB said: On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:26:18 +0000, Sacha wrote: if they're halfway sensible, You were previously talking about pheasants. 'Sensible' is not a description that is commonly used for such beautiful, daft birds! I must admit the phrase 'bird brained' could have been coined for them! Driving down a lane with one running in front of you has to be one of the most frustrating things to do in the country! After a very, very long time, it occurs to this avian genius that it does have wings and getting up and away over a hedge is preferable to the alternative! About as bright as sheep, then Wrong animal - it's pigs that fly - but actually they're rather intelligent. ;-) I watched two men driving sheep down the lawn a week or so ago. One was on foot and the other on a quad bike with two collies following him. The collies didn't do much and were kept at the back. The man on foot opened the gate into the field but the sheep carried on up the lane until one of them, directed by this bloke, swung in through the gate into the field, whereupon all the others who'd moved further ahead, turned back and streamed after her. The collies were then called up to run up the sides of the flock and make sure they all did so. It was fascinating to see but it did show the 'sheep like' simile in action! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
On Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:37:03 +0000, K wrote:
You were previously talking about pheasants. 'Sensible' is not a description that is commonly used for such beautiful, daft birds! I must admit the phrase 'bird brained' could have been coined for them! About as bright as sheep, then Naw sheep are fairly predictable lambs can be a bit daft if mum is one side of the road and lamb is other. Pheasant are just daft: Spot pheasant 200 yds away on the verge looking across the road. It stays still, 150 yds, it turns away from road, 100yds, it turns back, 50 yds, stays still, 10 feet, ambles across the road... Variation: 50 yds away pheasant starts ambling across your side of the road towards the middle, 25yds it's half way across and "safe", 10 feet, pheasant notices approaching vehicle turns round and run back... That's when they aren't taking off horizontally from a wall top 10' in front of you... -- Cheers Dave. |
Mice blasted mice
Jeff Layman wrote:
Broadback wrote: It is a large garden. I have not seen any sign of foxes since I "rabbit proofed" the garden with chicken wire. Still whatever it was I need to buy some more traps. This time I think I will drill a hole in the base and peg them to the ground, see how that goes. You may have stopped them digging under the fence, but a fox will climb over a 6 ft panel fence without problem. I don't think *THAT* was the point... -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha wrote:
On 2009-11-24 16:47:44 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000, Broadback wrote: Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I had most of my early broad beans dug up last year - but by squirrels ! and also a cock pheasant! We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! The parent's house was surrounded by a shoot. There was one cock pheasant which knew a thing or two: for several years, and only during the season, at the sound of the first bang (a backfire worked just as well!) he would head for their garden at zero altitude, hedge-hop, and take refuge in the orchard. (Where of course, he was fed...) -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha wrote:
On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. Especially if you soak them in sherry or brandy first... -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
Christina Websell wrote:
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? Tina Mentioning no names, but some of the younger ones did, too. -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha wrote:
On 2009-11-25 23:59:17 +0000, "Christina Websell" said: "Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. -- The old poachers used to soak sultanas in whisky and then collect up the drunken pheasants when they either fell out of the trees or couldn't make it up there to roost. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it? Tina I'd heard of that trick and no, it doesn't! Automarinade... -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha wrote:
On 2009-11-26 23:18:23 +0000, K said: Sacha writes On 2009-11-26 16:31:53 +0000, K said: Sacha writes Oh definitely - food for the pot etc. But I do agree with Val that it's a bit hard on the poor old pheasants to exploit their weakness! You reckon the pheasants prefer the alternative? ;-) Whooping it up on raisins and bring on the dancing hens? You bet. ;-) No, I meant the alternative which ends up with them being shot in a sporting manner, as I'm sure you knew ;-) They probably stand more chance of getting away on a shoot. Of course, if they're halfway sensible, they walk and don't get shot anyway. Except at the end of the eason on special walked-up days for keepers, pickers-up and beaters - birds which don't fly tend to produce broods of more birds that don't fly... -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
VivienB wrote:
On Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:26:18 +0000, Sacha wrote: if they're halfway sensible, You were previously talking about pheasants. 'Sensible' is not a description that is commonly used for such beautiful, daft birds! On the contrary - see my post ^ up there somewhere. -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-12-18 19:56:01 +0000, Rusty Hinge
said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-11-25 08:57:51 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:04:28 +0000, Sacha wrote: We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! Beautiful tho. I love seeing them but not when they're pinching my seeds ! Any veg we grow are for sale, so they're in pots in the greenhouses and more in danger from stray mice, if any are around. I sometimes put out sultanas for the pheasants, too and they get quite silly about them. Especially if you soak them in sherry or brandy first... Then they just get even sillier and fall over.... -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-12-18 19:53:47 +0000, Rusty Hinge
said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-11-24 16:47:44 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000, Broadback wrote: Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I had most of my early broad beans dug up last year - but by squirrels ! and also a cock pheasant! We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! The parent's house was surrounded by a shoot. There was one cock pheasant which knew a thing or two: for several years, and only during the season, at the sound of the first bang (a backfire worked just as well!) he would head for their garden at zero altitude, hedge-hop, and take refuge in the orchard. (Where of course, he was fed...) You know, you could write a rather nice children's story about that, Rusty - but he would have to live happily ever after, of course! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha wrote:
On 2009-12-18 19:53:47 +0000, Rusty Hinge said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-11-24 16:47:44 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000, Broadback wrote: Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I had most of my early broad beans dug up last year - but by squirrels ! and also a cock pheasant! We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! The parent's house was surrounded by a shoot. There was one cock pheasant which knew a thing or two: for several years, and only during the season, at the sound of the first bang (a backfire worked just as well!) he would head for their garden at zero altitude, hedge-hop, and take refuge in the orchard. (Where of course, he was fed...) You know, you could write a rather nice children's story about that, Rusty - but he would have to live happily ever after, of course! Well, he was around for at least three years, which fo a pheasant isn't bad going, what with a fairly busy road nearby and two or three shoot days a week. And yes - it was the same bird... -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-12-19 20:37:06 +0000, Rusty Hinge
said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-12-18 19:53:47 +0000, Rusty Hinge said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-11-24 16:47:44 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000, Broadback wrote: Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I had most of my early broad beans dug up last year - but by squirrels ! and also a cock pheasant! We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! The parent's house was surrounded by a shoot. There was one cock pheasant which knew a thing or two: for several years, and only during the season, at the sound of the first bang (a backfire worked just as well!) he would head for their garden at zero altitude, hedge-hop, and take refuge in the orchard. (Where of course, he was fed...) You know, you could write a rather nice children's story about that, Rusty - but he would have to live happily ever after, of course! Well, he was around for at least three years, which fo a pheasant isn't bad going, what with a fairly busy road nearby and two or three shoot days a week. And yes - it was the same bird... Rusty, let's collaborate on this. This Philip the Pheasant is going to have to turn into a grandfather at the very least, teach young pheasants about how to avoid people like you, etc. etc. 50/50 on the royalties, okay? -- Sacha |
Mice blasted mice
Sacha wrote:
On 2009-12-19 20:37:06 +0000, Rusty Hinge said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-12-18 19:53:47 +0000, Rusty Hinge said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-11-24 16:47:44 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000, Broadback wrote: Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I had most of my early broad beans dug up last year - but by squirrels ! and also a cock pheasant! We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! The parent's house was surrounded by a shoot. There was one cock pheasant which knew a thing or two: for several years, and only during the season, at the sound of the first bang (a backfire worked just as well!) he would head for their garden at zero altitude, hedge-hop, and take refuge in the orchard. (Where of course, he was fed...) You know, you could write a rather nice children's story about that, Rusty - but he would have to live happily ever after, of course! Well, he was around for at least three years, which fo a pheasant isn't bad going, what with a fairly busy road nearby and two or three shoot days a week. And yes - it was the same bird... Rusty, let's collaborate on this. This Philip the Pheasant is going to have to turn into a grandfather at the very least, teach young pheasants about how to avoid people like you, etc. etc. 50/50 on the royalties, okay? What's your role, then? Publisher perhaps? (as a published author I think I could cope with the scribbling innit) -- Rusty |
Mice blasted mice
On 2009-12-20 15:44:52 +0000, Rusty Hinge
said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-12-19 20:37:06 +0000, Rusty Hinge said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-12-18 19:53:47 +0000, Rusty Hinge said: Sacha wrote: On 2009-11-24 16:47:44 +0000, Aries said: On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:58:25 +0000, Broadback wrote: Sowed a row of broad beans a couple of weeks ago lots of neat holes along the row. Sowed the replacement beans in paraffin and resowed. At the same time I placed three mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Went down this am a few more holes along the bean row and all three traps gone. going down the garden to the compost heap I found one trap about 15 meters from its original position and over a 4ft fence. Is it a reasonable assumption to think that some bird/s of prey have snaffled the dead mice and taken the traps with them? I had most of my early broad beans dug up last year - but by squirrels ! and also a cock pheasant! We've had a cock pheasant on the lawn scrounging peanuts, just recently. They're shameless! The parent's house was surrounded by a shoot. There was one cock pheasant which knew a thing or two: for several years, and only during the season, at the sound of the first bang (a backfire worked just as well!) he would head for their garden at zero altitude, hedge-hop, and take refuge in the orchard. (Where of course, he was fed...) You know, you could write a rather nice children's story about that, Rusty - but he would have to live happily ever after, of course! Well, he was around for at least three years, which fo a pheasant isn't bad going, what with a fairly busy road nearby and two or three shoot days a week. And yes - it was the same bird... Rusty, let's collaborate on this. This Philip the Pheasant is going to have to turn into a grandfather at the very least, teach young pheasants about how to avoid people like you, etc. etc. 50/50 on the royalties, okay? What's your role, then? Publisher perhaps? (as a published author I think I could cope with the scribbling innit) Mere typist and occasional muse would rather suit me. ;-)) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
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