Foxglove

A BITTER wind is helping the last of the leaves off the trees, and the Sussex Ratters are here to help thin out some squirrels. If we reduce the numbers going into the winter, then we will do well by the nesting birds in the spring.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Nov 2008, 14:48 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:30 BST

We have had a very competent Health and Safety briefing from Bethany, who I think will make a good headmistress one day, and we set off in good heart along the track into the first copse.

Here the leaves make a mottled carpet for us to tread, the dogs scampering and scuffling for ground scent ahead of us. The Labrador sends the first squirrel running for a tree, sitting back like the trained gundog she is, while a posse of terriers and that dachshund dance at the foot of the right tree in case we have not seen. Old Tom takes aim, and that is the end of the squirrel, which, after a brief discussion between the smaller dogs, is retrieved by the Bedlington.

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The Labrador is not allowed to retrieve squirrels because a soft mouth is important for her real job, and if bitten by a squirrel, she might well learn to bite back. She does not mind this restriction, and if we get a rabbit or two, she will be permitted to retrieve those instead.

Stanislaus has the other gun, though young Tom is hoping to get one for Christmas, and if he does (no promises but I have insider information) he will become our third Gun, which is plenty for a squirreling outing.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette December 3

Related topics:West Sussex Gazette