ShootingUK is the complete shooting resource for the British shooting community. From shotgun licence and shotgun certificate information to gun reviews, game shooting, clay shooting and more.
By David Tomlinson
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Q) In September, my springer spaniel flushed a medium-sized brown bird while we were rabbit shooting in North Norfolk. It looked like a partridge except that it flew with its legs dangling. Could it have been a corncrake? It flushed silently and flew 100 yards, but we didn’t put it up again. P. BREWSTER By email
A) Your description certainly fits a corncrake; you might also have noted the distinctive tawny upper wing coverts. The dangling legs are as certain an identification feature as any.
Despite the apparently feeble flight, corncrakes are long-distance migrants and the birds that breed in northern Europe winter in sub-Saharan Africa, from the Congo south to South Africa. Your bird was on migration and was most likely from the small Scottish breeding population, though it may have come from Scandinavia. Records of corncrakes on migration are few, but it’s not unusual for them to be flushed by dogs.
This matched pair of Beretta S687 EELL Diamond Pigeon 28-bores would c... Read more
Policeman cleared of hitting farmer at Parliament Square hunting prote... Read more
Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 1st February). FREE PRIZE DRAW - it is week 3 of our great "Gun a Week" competition, see P53 for further details and how to enter! Plus, who is top dog? Paul Rawlings reports on the 2012 Cocker Spaniel Championship. Get down to your newsagents and buy your copy today!
A legend in the shooting world, Shooting Times' much-loved column... Read more
Save up to 31% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today and perfect gift this Christmas.
Comments