Third time lucky??

[Stormin 9,981]

 The Moorhens on the ponds by us, have not had much success raising young this year. The first nest, open to view, containing 8 eggs got robbed by crows. The second nest was built to low down and got flooded. The third nest built higher up and more concealed, looks like being more successful.

  It's directionally  opposite the decking over looking the pond. I've been keeping a watch on it and the last few days there's been more activity by the parent birds. Had me thinking some chicks had hatched. This morning got some photo's.



 

 

 

 

 I can only make out three chicks, so more could be further back. 12 bore is at the ready for any visiting crows

[ebinmaine 67,275]

26 minutes ago, Stormin said:

12 bore is at the ready for any visiting crows

 

Straight for the heavy artillery...

 

 

 

 

[953 nut 55,076]

31 minutes ago, Stormin said:

The third nest built higher up and more concealed, looks like being more successful.

              Probably a fist time mother just learning.         Hope on critters get the baby.           

[Ed Kennell 38,022]

Moorhen  ….I had to educate myself.

[Stormin 9,981]

6 hours ago, 953 nut said:

          Probably a fist time mother just learning.         Hope on critters get the baby.           

 

  This pair are resident birds. Here all year round. Crows and magpies I can deal with. Neighbours and feral cats are the biggest danger to the chicks. Pity they don't make silencers for shotguns.  

[ebinmaine 67,275]

4 hours ago, Stormin said:

Pity they don't make silencers for shotguns.

My honey is a fairly proficient shot with a bow and arrow.....

 

Just saying....

 

Perhaps your next hobby should be archery?

[ebinmaine 67,275]

Or a wrist rocket. We have those too. My word! Are those a lot of fun.

[Stormin 9,981]

5 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Or a wrist rocket. We have those too. My word! Are those a lot of fun.

 

We call those catapults.

[ebinmaine 67,275]

3 minutes ago, Stormin said:

 

We call those catapults.

You know what Norman?

 

Let's just stop messing around

 

Go big or go home

 

You need to build you a large trebuchet.

[tunahead72 2,403]

Timber framed at that!  There's a whole series of videos somewhere that will show you how to design and build one!

 

And frankly Norm, I bet if you put your mind to it, you could come up with a design and prototype for that shotgun silencer you mentioned earlier. 

[ebinmaine 67,275]

[Stormin 9,981]

 Some short videos. Excuse the wobbling.