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Saturday 22nd.
Up 05:15. Frost. To Heacham Far North and set two half nets
by 07:15. Circuit testing with conventional circuit tester
suggested there might be a problem with one net but by the
time a better (digital) circuit tester found birds were close
to the net. Hence did not try to rectify problem. Phil in
observation point. Birds chose to land too close to observation
point so Nigel sent to twinkle. This pushed birds to other
side of the nets so the long-stop, Tom with his dog (Steaky)
was asked to twinkle from that direction. Played 'ping-pong'
a few times before the birds started to land with the decoys,.
Missed an opportunity to fire when most landed with the decoys
whilst waiting for the final few birds. On the next landing,
Nigel who was closest felt they were in so said 'fire'. Only
caught the edge of the flock as they were on the edge and
the net slewed away.
These were extracted and whilst this was done the electrical
fault was investigated and resolved. Sanderling were flying
about and wanted to come in to decoys. Beach cleared of people
but birds landed to the observation point side of net. Had
to wait for tide to turn and birds remained faithful to same
place on beach. Twinkling commenced and more 'ping-pong' with
birds reluctant to land in front of nets. Nigel observed from
behind the nets to be sure of exactly where they landed. Eventually
most of the flock - which had reached 250 at its maximum but
was now down to 150 - landed in front of the nets so command
to fire was given. Nothing happened. Phil at firing point
quickly realised that the wrong cable had been connected to
the firing box but with the birds jumpy they had lifted before
this was rectified.
Further twinkling soon lost many birds and after trying to
get the last few in to the catching area gave up. Dealt with
birds caught:-
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