I saw your piece about traps with a live magpie in them.
They are called Larsen traps and are to catch magpies not mink.
The magpies raid other birds nests for eggs and young birds and can make quite a dent in the population.
In parts of England the song thrush has been nearly wiped out by them.
Someone I know had one of those traps on his land for a year and killed 32 magpies.

We hope that Pat is a bit better.
Please give her our best wishes.
Will you say hello to the Nells & Kemps if they are still around.

Best wishes

Colin & Carol Wollaston

This last Monday a mink was seen in Killeen's yard and escaped down a water gully.

Two English fishers told that they had observed swallows flying around the arches at the bridge.