...and last year it had about three plums on it, the last of which was nicked off the tree by the bloody squirrel as I watched through the kitchen window.
So I've been keeping an close eye on this year's crop so that I can get them off the tree for me to eat, & this afternoon on my daily 'plum squeeze' rounds, testing for ripeness, I decided that they are just about ready.
No photo, as I have scoffed the half dozen or so that I picked - I just have to decide whether to harvest the lot now - about 30 more, I'd guess (it's only a little tree) - even though some will be under-ripe & sit them in the fruit bowl, or leave them on the tree & play a game of chicken with the squirrel...
Get 'em off lass! They'll make a gret crumble.
ReplyDeleteOr you could leave the plums and shoot the squirrel.
ReplyDeleteGreys have been seen less than 2 miles from our house, we truly fear for the safety and continued existence of the beautiful native reds who have shared Bag End with us since we moved in.
I'd need someone less squeemy than me to cull the squirrels - although I think that it should be done on a national basis starting a the lakes & working south.
ReplyDeleteI'll deny the squirrel the plums, though, even though I couldn't shoot them.
There's a chap at the Hill who has trapped & drowned 84 greys in the last couple of years - I'm afraid I'd have to do trap & release, which isn't quite the point, I know...
I'm afraid I'd have to do trap & release, which isn't quite the point,
ReplyDeleteSorry to labour the point - you cannot do that, IT IS ILLEGAL TO RELEASE A GREY SQUIRREL INTO THE WILD, ANYWAY, NOT JUST UP HERE.
Well-meaning idiots (or just plain nasty people) are occasionally seen in the National Park releasing greys ... do they think they are helping the greys? Are they deliberately trying to hasten the demise of our native Red? Who the h*ck knows.
If you live trap a grey it must be "humanely killed". Any vet will do that for you.
Cages are not expensive, have a look here -
http://www.squirrelstop.co.uk/
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ReplyDeletePS: On Saturday please introduce me to the chap who has got rid of nearly 100 of the evil grey pests. I'll buy him a beer!
ReplyDeleteSorry - meant release ANYWHERE, not anyway.
I had a little plum tree...
ReplyDeletetoo, but if you remember KK mowed it down with his noo toy!!
That was rather an unfortunate casualty, wasn't it, Clare? Perhaps KK will enjoy mirabelle crumble/jam/voddy/jelly/wine instead?
ReplyDelete