The group met at our favourite starting place, Hungry Jack's cafe, and the hot breakfast was most welcome given that it was hammering down with rain!! The rain finally decided to let up a little by the time breakfast was finished, and so we headed off to our destination in convoy.

Conditions were suitably wet and sludgy underfoot as you would expect in January, but this venue has always proven fruitful, so it was well worth the trudging through the mud!

The entire group formed a line as we walked some shrub land, free slip being given to all bird handlers, as all birds were Harris' who were proven flying with other birds. A couple of pheasant were put up, but no success.

We then split into two groups, and discussed the day's strategy, and our first plan was for one group to start at one end of a wood, the other group taking the opposite end, and each was to walk toward each other, hopefully serving each other quarry. There were a couple of good chases, and Lee's bird took a pheasant in good style.

We then moved in separate directions, and our group made for several warrens that looked promising in another wood. The ferrets went down, courtesy of Dennis, our feretter for the day, and the birds went up.

After some patient waiting, a rabbit was bolted, and Buddy, Mick's young male gave good chase, actually tagging the rabbit before losing it.

The ferrets were still working, and so we re-assumed our positions..all in all, at least four rabbits were slipped, but still they were eluding the hawks! Poppy, Kate's female Harris, was hot on the trail of a couple, but kept narrowly missing.

Floyd, my young Harris, mantled over a dead crow as a rabbit was bolted right beside him!! Only kill so far- one dead crow!

The groups assembled for lunch, Kate and Glynne had brought tea and coffee, as well as biscuits, which were welcome.

After lunch, the groups set out again, our group resuming ferreting in a nearby wood. This time, after several flushes and some terrific sport, Steve's young male and Kate's female caught our first rabbit! Poppy, the female, being bigger soon shoved the smaller male off the kill, but after she had taken a fill, the young male was put on the kill to reap his reward.

All in all, the bag for the day was the best the club has seen! Both pheasant and rabbit ( plus one dead crow and a rat! ) on the list.

There will be several more meets coming up in the near future, courtesy of our chairman, Glynne Malkin. The more people attend, the better it is, so try and clear your schedule and come along!

John Tyas

January, 2009