21 Guns - Green Day

Invited to the 'Beckley Shoot' on the Merrick Estate in Hampshaire on Saturday my acceptance was immediate, but not particularly with Pheasants in mind. A chance to wander vast tracts of countryside, particularly unmanaged woodland, hardly ever trodden on by estate staff let alone the general public was hoped to be a certainty for Woodcock an addition to the Year List.

The WANING MOON was still aloft as we left Parley
with the odd bird

GREAT TIT

GOLDFINCH
already heading for the feeders and my first

CROCUS
of the year.

Still a little hazardous on these country lanes as I followed Hugh
to our destination,

where Guns and Beaters alike were already gathered.

We met at one of the largest GRAIN STORAGE'S in the county
the content being mainly for animal feed.

FARMER TIM DALTON
the organiser of this particular event. along with

other shooters taking to their pegs.

PHEASANT
one of the majority that 'got away'.

Lots of FUNGI in these untouched woods.

HUGH has time to text his Broker!

RAZOR STROP

Time for a HOT TODDY and SAUSAGE BUN mid-morning.

One of the Rules of Engagement includes no shooting game on the ground.

This particular bird must have taken a look at them

as it wandered close to Hugh and accompanying dog

and flies away unscathed.

More BRACKETS

After the Shoot
SHEPHERDS PIE, CHEESE BOARD a Fine PORT and
the reckoning. Last year 500 Pheasants were released of which
just 86 were shot and ALL will be eaten. As for the

WOODCOCK (Wiki photo for illustration)

the 'Beaters' were briefed to alert me if one should be 'flushed'

which turned into a mammoth Mickey Take. By the 8th and final

'beat' if the shouts were to be believed there must have been over

100 of them. There were certainly 4 seen, but not by me, while none were shot

as they are not on the 'game' list!

15/01               No additions

16/01               158            128 

18/01               159            129 

19/01               160            130

20/01               160            131

21/01               163            131 

22/01               164            131

23/01               164            131

24/01               165            132 

25/01               No additions

Entry	Pageviews
United States	4112
United Kingdom	901
Germany	52
Estonia	40
Canada	27
Russia	25
France	16
Ukraine	13
Norway	8
Australia	7