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Rolfe

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Everything posted by Rolfe

  1. Rolfe
    HI DUCKWING Not sure which context you are referring to "loaded" if you mean having swivel and quick release clips attached.... then as you will see in the bottom picture the wires have this fitted. If you mean loaded as in tensioned (which i think you do) then this bird wire is excellent for this, I try to reverse tension mine IE with noose wanting to close (for squirrels and rats only though). I Like your set-up it looks good........have you tried the bird wire.......if not its worth giving it a go. As I say i am still experimenting a little with different set-ups etc and would need to tria
  2. Rolfe
    I remembered I had some success using some Anti-Roosting bird wire on some rat-benders a while back and so fashioned myself some squirrel wires and so far they have worked a treat. OTC Yes thats where i got the idea from as i had used it in the past.........it is friction free basically due to the nylon coating, but i am going to give it a real good try on the squirrels to see if it is the real deal...might even try a couple of rabbit wires with it.
  3. Rolfe
    I have been experimenting a bit this last fortnight with an adaptation of the squirrel pole set-up in a tiny little copse that only I have access too. Due to running low on wire, I was looking for an alternative to replace the twisted brass snare wire I had been using. I remembered I had some success using some Anti-Roosting bird wire on some rat-benders a while back and so fashioned myself some squirrel wires and so far they have worked a treat. The bird wire consists of 7 strands of stainless steel wire which is nylon coated (UV resistant) and is only 0.7 mm thick.........this combined with
  4. Rolfe
    Last week I did four (juvenile) wasp nests........all about the size of the one pictured, about tangerine sized. I have lost count of the number of solitary and masonry bee enquiries i have had they have quadrupled this season for some reason. Anyway........Lets hope we have a bumper season this year last year wasn't too bad.
  5. Rolfe
    On my open FAC it does state for "the humane destruction of animals" I honestly couldn't see how anyone could say anything other than you acted with compassion and humanely ended the poor creatures suffering. Rolfe.
  6. Rolfe
    John i can tell you what I do with mine when they become a bit creaky. Firstly I wire brush them down with a good quality wire brush, this takes a bit of time to do properly and i use a small "toothbrush" type wire brush to get into all the nooks and crannys. Any really bad rust areas to the arms I use coarse sandpaper followed by emery cloth. When I have done this I use a piece of clear Candle (Non-scented) to wax down the sliding arms of the trap this allows the trap to fire sweetly (losing the creaky sound) Finally I lubricate the spring with a TINY amount of vegetable oil applied with a sm
  7. Rolfe
    As someone who still does a lot of traditional rabbit trapping I have been reading this very in-depth and interesting thread and some very valid points are being made. I work on a regular basis with a combination of Imbras (Mk1 & Mk 2) and Mk6 Fenns on my permanent rabbit contracts one of which I have been systematically "Block" trapping for over 14 years. Now without getting into the argument about close seasons for rabbits(which is fine if you are just a sporting rabbiter) I have to control rabbits all year round, this is what i am employed to do, and i would quickly be replaced if i wa
  8. Rolfe
    Try looking for a drake tuffted duck that MIGHT be it.......! Rolfe.
  9. Rolfe
    Happy Birthday Tracey...........Have a great day mate but take it easy on the drinks and chocolates........... Nah........go for it Best Wishes Rolfe xx
  10. Rolfe
    For those who saw the goldcrests nest ripped out by the marauding crow..you will be pleased to hear that he has paid the price for ravaging in a pest controllers garden lol. Set the larsen, and within a day the offender had been caught........deffo the same crow as it had distinctive white flecks in the wing feathers.........a few more song birds will be protected hopefully' Checked the squirrel cage last night and had this youngster trapped......only a few weeks old but still unable to resist the lure of the hazel nuts.
  11. Rolfe
    Garlic Mustard or Jack-by-the-hedge is just ready now...........pick the young leaves and slice thinly to mix with salad or even better to put in a beef sandwich as an added filler. Lovely mild garlicy/mustard flavour
  12. Rolfe
    COME ON ROLFIE ....... CALL YERSELF A PESTIE ............ : THEY ARE THROWING NESTS AT YER FRONT DOOR DUCKWING and TIS TM.............Yep Larsen being sorted as we speak..........God don't you just hate the corvids when they ravage such a beautiful birds nest or any nest for that matter........Justice will be done though. Regards Rolfe.
  13. Rolfe
    Yes thats why i think goldfinch to be honest.......they line the inside of the nest with a lot of "downy" material...... much more than the Greenfinches tend to do which as you say, tend to have a lot more vegetation as well.
  14. Rolfe
    This nest was on the path this morning obviously ripped from the flowering cherry tree just above my porch by a crow or magpie. My guess is that it is a goldcrests nest but not 100% sure it is lined with cavity wall insulation that next doors had done this year. Definitely not a chaffinch, but i have seen the odd pair of greenfinches as well as a pair of goldcrests about. The flat sides to the nest tell me it has been in the fork of the tree....so what do you folks think.
  15. Rolfe
    Nice job there DUCKWING........really looks the job that does. Not wishing to hijack your very interesting thread but talking about Trapping Hammers i took a picture of part of my collection you might find of interest. Along with a " Brades" genuine trapping hammer i have several that would do the same job and indeed i have used in the past. I prefer the short handled "Cobblers" type hammers for the simple reason they slip nicely into my pocket when trapping or setting wires but virtually any hammer with a wide blade to one side will do the job, there are masons hammers, packing crate hammers
  16. Rolfe
    It was about the size of a three quarter grown rabbit.........so maybe born around March time at a guess!
  17. Rolfe
    Was checking squirrel cages tonight and found this little fella had scraped out a form to get out of the wind.........in a pile of fine granite chippings.
  18. Rolfe
    Happy birthday Den, have a good one mate.......!
  19. Rolfe
    Yes there were two other sqizzers actually on the trunk as i approached......so a caged squirrel really does attract others to the vicinity.(thats why the muti-catch type cages can sometimes be very effective) I had toyed with the idea of using two cages back to back with the openings at opposite ends, but opted for the wires instead. These fallen trees are a magnetic draw for squirrels and they love running up and down them something we can exploit to our advantage and also it keeps the cages up out of harms way from ground vermin as well. Regards Rolfe.
  20. Rolfe
    I use an air rifle for dispatch in a woodland situation simply because its quick and efective and saves having to carry a sack and a priest. I still use an air rifle when dealing with domestic squirrel jobs, but always take the caged animal home to dispatch it (never on site). I have a set of fingers (cage comb) at home if i need to use them but very seldom do to be honest. Rolfe.
  21. Rolfe
    On one of my long term contracts I have been experimenting a little bit with some different squirrel control methods and using a combination of a couple of tried and tested techniques. I have been having some success using two different methods in the same location notably the squirrel pole as used and described by GW and a squirrel cage placed where the feeding station would be. I had noticed in the past that once a squirrel was in the cage which was placed on a fallen fir tree that had lodged itself conveniently (for me) against another tree, that other squirrels would appear to see what w
  22. Rolfe
    Well Mystery is Solved..........! Now my theory was it could have been a buzzard as we have loads around here, but wasn't quite big enough to be honest. This morning i was up bright and early to see if i could catch the owners at home so to speak, and on quietly approaching the nest I did indeed catch the culprits. One bird sat on the nest and its mate was on a branch next to it............so what were they? Congratulations to those who said CROW..............Yes it was a pair of Carrion Crows. Now i have never seen a crows nest made out of reed before.........but there is always a fir
  23. Rolfe
    No not around here there's not..........i will try and keep a look out and see if i can catch the culprit lol.
  24. Rolfe
    squirrels mate As i said.............definitely NOT squirrel I destroy all dreys in this wood and this is not squirrel nesting material in these parts..........all leaf and stripped beech bark around here.
  25. Rolfe
    Right.......I will be honest and say this one has got me beat at the moment. This nest, sits way up on the extreme outer branches and appears to be made from reed? At first i thought it was a crows nest as it is about the same size.......but i don't think it is that. Definitely not a squirrel drey..........so has anyone any ideas? The picture was taken at extreme digital zoom so not really a good shot. I intend to sit out and see if i can catch the occupant at home as it were........but i would be interested to hear others thoughts as i have never seen anything quite like it.
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