BS: Varmints

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 16 May 21 - 03:48 PM

Marked increase in roadkill in western Massachusetts,
now that the weather is warm enough
to have melted ALL of the ice.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 May 21 - 01:50 PM

Well, here's the latest from Chicago, Illinois,
informally known as the Second City.
What I find suspicious about this top-of-the-ratings pronouncement
is that a competitive business franchise of exterminators
is conducting this poll.
Special interests, anyone?

The solution, as reported in this link, is interesting.
Tree House Humane Society

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Apr 21 - 11:14 PM

Meanwhile,
it is spring in April, or meant to be.
But today, in western Massachusetts,
we started out warm,
and then the temperature dropped
something like twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit
in a matter of hours.
Now it is snowing.

And after dark, the froggy peepers started peeping away ...
I had to move my parked car after 10 pm, it was bitter cold,
the snow was falling.
and there were still a few forlorn
peep peep   peeep? going on.
I picture frogs freezing slowly to death.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Apr 21 - 06:25 PM

Australia?   

What is this I hear, about far too many MICE ?

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Jos
Date: 18 Apr 21 - 03:21 AM

I love to hear the frogs in the spring, partying in my pond.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 17 Apr 21 - 11:06 PM

Joe Offer laments,
above the line in the Fruhlingsmusikanten thread,
that the frogs
have returned for another spring
to drive him to contemplate an act of frogicide.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Mar 21 - 05:20 AM

And the 'GoFundMe' has already raised over a thousand pounds for some sort of memorial to BamBam, possibly a statue outside the village hall and a plaque. I had to smile when one villager posted on our Facebook that he thought a 'plague' (sic) would be a good idea! I was tempted to reply that Covid 19 was enough as far as 'plagues' go.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Mar 21 - 05:16 AM

The latest concern here is a plague of frogs. Between our village and Fustyweed there are hundreds of frogs bouncing around in the road. Difficult not to squash them.
It won't be long I'm sure before the Mad Swans are tottering along our main street followed by their exhausted cygnets.
And the Morris-dancing pigeons are assembling in ever increasing numbers on our bungalow roof early each morning. And leaving their messages of regard down all our window panes.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 08:57 PM

After all, if there are
traditional songs about keepers or poachers of royal deer,
there must be other songs about deer ...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 01:49 PM

Seeing as this is MUSIC,
I started a thread in the music section
with a link to the Oh Deer BamBam song video.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 12:11 PM

I'm so sorry about your darling cat Charmion. It must have been distressing to say the least, despite her age. And you're right of course, animals can die suddenly from any number of things, strokes, heart attacks and so on. But the poor deer was just over a year old, and very fit.
However nobody will voice their doubts in public about what might have happened, out of respect and pity for the poor lady (Lucy). She may well have a veterinary expert perform a post-mortem to find out the cause.
Our village Facebook is filling up with literally hundreds of expressions of sadness and condolence, from Elsing, Sparham and Fustyweed.
I feel reasonably sure the next thing will be suggestions for a statue, memorial, commemoration or plaque for BamBam.
I can't get out of my head that sweet little song composed by a village lady (she does music sessions for nursery-age children) It was online (Oh deer BamBam) but I'm trying to stop humming it - it brings tears to my eyes.
If you want to listen to it, Google Glow-Worms OHDEERBAMBAM and it will come up. It only lasts a couple of minutes.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Charmion
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 09:39 AM

So sorry for the loss of BamBam. That's just sad.

Animals do occasionally die of conditions that cause seizures. My dear cat Perdita did; I think it was a stroke. She was 19 years old, so I thought it was only to be expected. One minute she was leaping for the kitchen counter, the next she was dead on the floor.

Does the village have a large animal vet who would do a necropsy?

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 04:06 PM

Hee hee Steve! Our rather cheeky neighbour told me quite recently about a pub in Marham (about 30 miles from our village) called the Whippet Inn. I expect you can imagine why he thought this was extremely funny. I had to think about it for a bit, but then twigged and giggled.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 03:29 PM

Hmmm. "The Deer Inn." I'd be looking for a cheaper one down the road...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 11:54 AM

Oh Jos, what a lovely idea! I'm waiting for the village movers and shakers to come up with comments, ideas and suggestions. The pub being renamed The Deer would be delightful.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Jos
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 09:14 AM

Very sad.
Maybe they should put a statue outside the pub, and rename it 'The Stag' or 'The Fox and Stag'.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 09:09 AM

You may be right Steve. My neighbour and I were talking just now, and we wondered if someone fed him poison in order to 'do away with him'.
Having a fit sounds suspicious to us. I agree that a post-mortem would be advisable.
At a time like this, people coping with lockdown, many of our elderly residents have died lately (not Covid, but other things) everyone depressed and edgy, this is just about the Tin Lid.
I expect there will be moves afoot to put up some sort of memorial or statue to BamBam.
Everyone here is very very sad. RIP BamBam!

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 08:25 AM

I'm not naturally suspicious but that sounds dodgy to me. I'd be thinking that a post mortem might be in order. The way you've characterised him makes him sound like a bit of a marmite individual...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 07:20 AM

Oh God, I'm sitting here in tears. BamBam is dead. Apparently he had a fit during the night and died in his owner's arms. The whole village is devastated. I'm so sad, for him but particularly for Lucy. She must be absolutely crushed by her loss.
Husband thinks he may have eaten something dangerous in someone's garden (pesticide, herbicide, poisonous plant).

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 04:06 AM

Well, the owner (called Lucy) put up an electric fence around part of her property (The Old Vicarage has a considerable acreage of land attached to it) But BamBam leapt over it with ease and continued his wanderings. He was even seen in Fustyweed (the next village along from ours). So Lucy had some men build a fence along the river bank, sectioning off her horses' field, and popped the deer in there. But BamBam (getting ever more angry and frustrated) butted it until it collapsed, jumped into the river and swam down to the bridge, where some children saw him emerge.
Lucy is on the point of a nervous breakdown I think. Many villagers have now posted messages to her on the Village Facebook, supporting and encouraging her. I can't think of any solution which would keep BamBam, Lucy, the whole village and any passing motorists safe and happy.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 22 Mar 21 - 09:58 PM

... but what has been decided about
Bloody BamBam?

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 19 Mar 21 - 10:13 PM

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust ...
I wonder if they could actually save the animal,
before it's too late?

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Mar 21 - 07:55 AM

Well the meeting online took place, but apparently descended into yet another 'bunfight'. The owner joined in and said she hadn't got a solution, but felt unable to move BamBam to another location. She was subjected to a lot of abuse, which I think is wrong. Abuse is never, ever acceptable.
I think she feels very maternal towards the deer and has brought him up from a tiny vulnerable fawn. In effect, she truly loves him and he loves her. Having loved many cats over the years, I can relate to her feelings. But I just hope and pray that there won't be a dreadful accident in which either the deer or a human gets badly hurt or even killed.
I didn't join in 'online' but neighbour-across-the-road told me all about it this morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 17 Mar 21 - 10:01 PM

And what was the outcome
of BamBam Goes On ZOOM?

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 03:35 AM

Yes, that's true keberoxu! I just hope I'm not boring everybody.
But the latest development is that the Parish Council called an open-air meeting outside the village shop for people to discuss the situation and express their views. Present was a representative of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. And - BamBam himself arrived!! (presumably to make his views known)
We didn't attend, it's illegal to congregate during lockdown, even in the open air. But apparently it got rather heated and the two 'camps' ended up shouting at each other. The owner of BamBam wasn't there.
Nothing was resolved, so now there will be an online meeting next Wednesday (is it called a 'Zoom' thing?) and the Police will be taking part as well.
A special animal park in Norfolk, with enclosed fields, has been suggested, where the deer could roam around but not get out, and be among other deer, which would in my opinion be ideal.
Husband saw the beast yesterday on his way to work, and told me BamBam is now gigantic! Very muscular and as big as a horse.
The shop lady told husband that she's sick and tired of hosing deer wee wee from the step into her shop. And many customers have run away in fear instead of coming in to buy stuff.
Oh deer!

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 09:52 PM

This Varmints thread is turning into
The Sad Saga of BamBam the Deer.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 09 Mar 21 - 02:47 PM

Now that most pupils are back at school, there has been quite a serious incident with what people here are now calling 'Bloody BamBam'. He appeared outside the school gates at our village Primary School this morning as the children were arriving and tried to force his way in. The teachers had to come out en masse and try to get him to go away (he wouldn't!) so they shut the school gate and only opened it to let each child get through.
He attacked several mums, pushed over some babies in their pushchairs and in the end the Headmistress phoned his owner.
She arrived on horseback (!) but even she couldn't get Bloody BamBam to follow her home.
The Police were called and made her fetch her horsebox. Lots of folk surrounded the deer and pushed him into the vehicle.
I think this is the end for the Beast, and he will have to be contained or re-homed.
Oh Deer! (sic)

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 10:14 PM

Hare's tracks in the snow are magical.
I'll even settle for a common cottontail rabbit's tracks in the snow.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 07 Mar 21 - 04:09 AM

Bleurgh! The stench of rotting rats is ghastly and unforgettable! My neighbour in our last village had the Rat Man in, poisoned the lot of 'em and they died and stank. Her husband crawled through the roof space collecting as many corpses as he could (poor chap!) But there must have been one or two dead 'uns hidden away because that stink hung around for weeks.
We had FIVE cats then (all at once!) and they were superb as rat/mouse controllers and deterrents, until they started bringing in live ones as'toys'. But the poor things were easily removed. I shooshed them out through the open door (having shut all the cats in another room).
It helps if one has no fear of rats/mice (I think they're quite sweet) But if large spiders infested our bungalow I'd be on the next plane to the North Pole!

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 10:17 PM

The acquaintance i mentioned in the 26 January post
finally had the exterminators at the building
with their studio apartment,
in a tightly crowded city block with three restaurants ...

with the rats scratching in the walls at night.

The rats aren't scratching any more.
They're dead, and stinking up the building.
If I were my acquaintance, I'd get outta there.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 11:41 PM

We had a small hare in the yard during the snow (visible via footprints) and some kind of small rat or vole I saw run across a path from one brushy area and into another.

The excitement at my daughter's yard, where they have a bird feeding setup (and some small rodents), was during the snow when a hawk swooped in and nailed a mourning dove not as quick as the rest to exit the yard swiftly. (Pun intended)

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 09:59 AM

I was reading this morning about an albatross called Wisdom. She's the oldest known wild bird in the world. She was ringed in the '50s and has long-outlived the person who ringed her. The amazing thing is that, at seventy years old, she's just produced another chick, something like her 30th...

That's the same age as Mrs Steve (don't tell her I've told you). I've warned her that if anything similar happens...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 07:58 PM

... yes, life will be tidier without a nest of rats ...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 02 Mar 21 - 07:23 AM

Oooh I wish we had black squirrels keberoxu! They sound rather attractive (we only have reds and greys)
A lady in the village got her husband to move their wooden shed along a bit so they could tidy things up. Underneath they found a strange little nest with some tiny sausage-shaped babies inside it. She posted a photo on our village Facebook and dozens of people replied. They're BABY RATS!! She was horrified and had to get a real 'Norfolk' chap in to 'dispose' of them. Then the Pest Control Officer to put down poison for the rat mother. Bit of a shame really, I don't mind rats!
BamBam is now getting dangerous, attacking children and dogs with his hooves and shoving them about. He knocked over a three year-old little boy and his mother was terrified. There are moves afoot now to have him contained (Police/RSPCA involvement)

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 07:45 PM

For some reason or other,
the grey squirrels are out there getting their exercise
in the bare trees;
but the black squirrels,
which are very busy during the warmest weather,
are not showing up where I can see them.
Haven't seen a black squirrel in months.
But I reckon they will be back.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 08:31 PM

Driving down a limited-access highway,
I saw three deer feeding carefully
on the grass on a verge near the shoulder.
They must have been hungry,
they were under the trees
but still awfully close to the cars and the traffic.

And further down the highway,
an extremely dead deer right on the shoulder.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 06:22 AM

They were rats, mate!

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 06:06 AM

We had a pair of interesting looking rats during the snow and a little bit after. As well as resolving not to put more feed on the ground, I watched them busily seem to collect food and deposit it as a store. That and scuttle in and out of the tunnel they made at the base of the back bed. They've gone now.

I'm wondering what they were as they didn't quite look like the usual rats to me. I wonder about water voles but are a way from running streams, etc. And I realise my ability to identify things is not that good, perhaps they were brown rats after all...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Feb 21 - 09:09 PM

Mrrzy, see Senoufou's post dated
26 August 2020
about the source of the tame deer's hi-viz jacket.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Feb 21 - 09:24 AM

I dress cheep. Never pay more than eight quid for a shirt.

I'll get me bargain-basement coat...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Mrrzy
Date: 21 Feb 21 - 08:45 PM

Who dresses deer? I know, any competent hunter, but what?

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Feb 21 - 05:48 PM

BamBam has been a bit naughty again. A chap in our village does a bit of building work around the area, and has a huge pile of sand in his yard. The deer spent a happy time climbing up and down it, and rubbing his head in the sand (goodness knows why!) The man's wife filmed this caper on her mobile phone and posted the video on our Village Facebook.
The man was a bit cross because the sand was spread far and wide, so he had to sweep it all up again.
Another lady said she ran for seven miles around our area with BamBam at her side!
He's still in his hi-viz jacket, so hopefully motorists will spot him.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Feb 21 - 07:40 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 10:26 AM

Half the village now seems to have taken to jogging around the various lakes and pools, or along the many little lanes. BamBam the deer has found some solace in accompanying them at a fair trot for miles, in his hi-viz outfit. There are several photos of him with accompanying runners, some who put a hand on his back while they run.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 26 Jan 21 - 02:39 PM

An acquaintance recently moved out of the residence
where I have spent most of the past year.
Left their room in this residence,
in order to rent a studio apartment upstairs from
a village-square neighborhood that has mostly
shops, restaurants, and other commercial small-business ventures.
Library, post office, bank branches, suchlike.

This person's studio apartment has three restaurants within walking distance, or even stepping distance,
it's that sort of block -- a big-sized street block for a village.

Now it's winter and the restaurants are shut due to COVID-19
And guess what has come to chew their collective way
through the studio apartment walls?
Some hungry rats that are restaurant-dumpster habitués . . .
the exterminator had to be called,
and some closing up of places done
where the restaurant rats could get up to the upstairs . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 07:50 PM

The gray squirrels still show up hereabouts.

It's been months since I last saw
a black squirrel or a red squirrel,
and both of these were out and about
when the weather was warm and the trees leafed out.

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 23 Jan 21 - 09:15 PM

Happy New Year, everybody, and
goodness gracious,

varmints have invaded
the Declutter During A Pandemic Thread!

So, too, I note the invasion on that thread of
an exploding tin of apricot halves,
but I guess the Varmints thread
is no place for tinned fruit fermenting in someone's kitchen pantry.

What a way to inaugurate the New Year ...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Dec 20 - 08:51 PM

Well, Senoufou,
that darned flooding of the roads
might keep Bambam alive that much longer,
if it keeps vehicle traffic limited ...

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: Senoufou
Date: 29 Dec 20 - 11:54 AM

Hello there keberoxu! No,luckily Bambam is still in one piece, but rather lonely. Our village has had severe flooding. The river Wensum burst its banks two days ago and water filled up the cellars of the people who live nearer the river than us. All roads out of the village centre were impassable, and the weather has been very cold. The poor deer can't figure out where all the children are (we're now in Tier 4 for Lockdown) and can only play with his goat mates on his watery owner's land. The Old Vicarage where she lives has been completely flooded out, poor lady.
My neighbour saw Bambam up by the riding stables, wearing a natty high-viz coat. Very sensible.
At least our road is dry and our house too!

Subject: RE: BS: Varmints
From: keberoxu
Date: 28 Dec 20 - 08:21 PM

Any chance of a BamBam update?

Hoping nobody else has collided with the creature ...