Gunshots and bird scarers - anywhere to avoid?
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I'd agree about Brecon barracks and anywhere rural in the shooting season (you can look up the dates.) Watch out for proximity to shooting ranges like Dorset, west of Swanage, on the Lulworth Ranges. You can also look up when the ranges are in use as it's not all the time.
Unfortunately if you have a noise shy dog it's hard to resolve this, two of ours only improved when they went deaf in their older years. It was a massive relief for us but not the best way to cure it.
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What a strange comment - how does it help the OP? I'd have thought that, like us, the OP is aware of their dog's reactions and asking for advice accordingly. We never leave Lady on her own when there's any chance of fireworks as she reacts badly to them. I don't think that's her dominating us - I think that's us acting responsibly as owners.
Easy to be negative, of course, just requires a little thought before posting responses like that.
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As far as bird scarers are concerned, having lived all my life in rural Lincolnshire surrounded by arable fields I have only experienced bird scarers on a few occasions close to our home and only then for a few days. The thing is farmers don't use them unless there is good reason, when pests, pigeons mainly, are in significant numbers and causing damage. They are also only needed for certain crops, mainly legumes but also the likes of maize, sunflowers, and even then only for short periods of time in the crops life cycle. They have to be used randomly and infrequently as the birds get used to them, they soon realise they have no consequence other than the acoustic surprise and ignore them. Those early days after sowing until germination of the crop has taken place are the most likely times you'll hear them if they are needed. What with crop rotation, and not knowing the pest levels in the fields it must be difficult for staff at a site to predict those days when the equipment is about to be required. As farmers do not have to broadcast their use, apologies for the pun, phoning the warden may not be able to furnish you with absolute reassurance required. From my experience mind, you would just be unlucky to hit that 'perfect storm' mind!
Best thing is to avoid those few weeks a year when they are most often used and those areas where arable crops which may require protection may be growing.
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yes +1
I posted the same thing and I wondered if EuroT would willingly let his pets or even family suffer in the same way so that he was not dominated by them?
A dog or child is a responsibility, you can't just turn way from that?
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as it may be seasonal what time of time last that?
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You are quite likely to encounter gunshot noise on and around places such as North York Moors, Bolton Abbey Estate, Chatsworth Estate, anywhere really that has organised shooting. It is seasonal though, so do your research. We used to hear crop scarers every year in June/July at Marazion Site.
My advice is to choose somewhere, be it Club Site, CL or other kind of site, and prior to making a booking phone and ask the Wardens/ owners if gunshot noise is likely to be a problem during your stay.
We had Airedale terriers who were terrified of loud bangs, and it can spoil time away. We now have a pair of Labradors who wouldn’t flinch at a Howitzer, and it’s so much more relaxing. But it’s something you have to bear in mind when choosing a site with sensitive dogs, and I wish you all the best.
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We've been to Chirk many times, and are here now, until tomorrow morning. Never heard anything like birdscarers or shooting. Although we've never been during the summer months, so can't comment on that time of year. But certainly at this time of year it'll be fine.
Enjoy, we've had a great week with decent weather, not many people here either, the only noise is the hum from the nearby factory, but that's something you get used to quickly (we do anyway). And it varies depending on the direction of the wind.
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Don't forget that with any rural sites, especially near large country estates, that it's still the pheasant/grouse shooting season. We've heard and seen a few shoots these last couple of weeks.
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Unfortunately ! a bird scarer starting at 7.00am would be enough for me to move sites, especially if the warden didnt for warn me.
As for shooters, i have found that 60s rock music played very loud makes them go away. Whilst making the sudden bangs more bearable somehow.
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Being a member of the RSPB i am reminded that radio tagged, very rare, Hen and Marsh Harriers let alone Short Eared Owls and many more raptors are known to suddenly 'dissapear' when flying over grouse moors. Dislike the 'so called' sport with a passion.
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+1.
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To be truthful, the warden would not necesserily know when and where farmers are to place these devices. If they are overused and frequently used in one area there effectiveness is reduced. That element of supprise is key. Also they are only needed for short periods during a crops growing cycle.
Mind you, some do expect wardens to be omnipotent and all knowing I guess.
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I like clay pigeon shooting, very enjoyable.
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Actually I live in the Countryside, North Pembrokeshire, so not a huge arable area, so not a lot of shooting. I would expect a warden to tell me if sudden bangs could be expected when booking in, if they had been happening already.
I used to be a shooter in my younger days, now the only wildlife I shoot is with my camera. Much better.
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I hope that in your younger days you prewarned all those who could have been affected by your actions that you were about to start shooting and when you had finished! Then at least the local population or wardens would have known and were not guessing about random or possibly even infrequent events which might or could be expected.
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