Grey grouse out on the periphery

The hide is up and the decoys are set. I sit and wait in hope, the old Beretta is loaded and young dog is by my side. The anticipation builds as minutes tick slowly by. Five minutes, nothing. Ten minutes, nothing. Have I left it too late? Then, right on cue, the pigeons appear, first a lone bird, straight on — my shot is deadly at 20 yards.

I hardly have time to smile as another bird crosses and, using sustained lead, another shot connects. The intense heat of the afternoon has given way to a cool breeze. The lead birds flare to land and are met with No 7½s. The next shot is invariably a crosser as the wily pigeons evade. My springer Ben is sitting and waiting for the command.

“A barrage of crows are intent on joining the party”

The pigeon traffic eases and gives way to a barrage of crows