Flighting teal on the foreshore
Tom Sykes relives a memorable flight chasing this fast and agile duck on the foreshore
Ioften find myself pondering over my tide table, satellite maps, drone footage and the weather forecast to plan expeditions on to the foreshore throughout the season. I am always looking for those little pockets where I can set an ambush in the hope of catching a duck or two off guard. Early season can be a little hit and miss, but as we roll into October the opportunities can often become more fruitful.
So, with a dull, breezy overcast day forecast and a late morning tide predicted, I thought to head out in search of resident mallard or any early migratory wigeon.
Leisurely start
Late morning tides are leisurely compared with the early morning ones associated with most wildfowling. My alarm was set for a respectable 7am, as opposed to the typical 3.30am to 4am needed for a first-light ambush. I pottered around the house gathering decoys and other essential kit before heading off. I donned my gear, saddled the decoy bag on my back and set off with Goose to my chosen spot.
After a gentle march along the sea wall and a last dart across the marsh top, we reached the empty gutter with ample time to set up. I picked the location because there is a large sandbar to walk on when setting the decoys and the banking sticks out like a small peninsula into the large creek that creates a natural funnel with ample cover.
The motherline was deployed with a selection of decoys to create the draw for any passing birds to flight in range. The general idea was to shoot birds passing as they flighted up and down the long creek. I find that I am normally presented with passing shots even with decoys in place, as the birds are often shy to fully commit compared with other areas I shoot. I soon
had the motherline staked out across the mud with the decoys attached ready for the tide to pick them up. I erected a small hide for Goose to give him extra cover, grabbed my coffee and sat patiently waiting for the tide to start creeping up the gutter.
Waiting for the tide to start engulfing the mud can be a quiet time; there is often very little movement, and it can be difficult to see much life at all with all the hidden gutters and deep cuts in the mud. It is a peaceful time to sit and ponder before – hopefully – the action begins. My gun is never more than an arm’s length away, as anything can happen, even in the quiet periods.
The movement of waders was the first sign of the incoming water, as birds on the mud by the river began to stir. It wasn’t long until the water was snaking its way up the bottom of the creek, slowly but effortlessly rising. I often find myself mesmerised by the force of the water as it picks up the decoys and at the same time fret that I have anchored them securely. The wind was beginning to pick up and the tide gained momentum. The initial push always seems quick as the water fills the narrow crevasses and small gutters before appearing to slow as it has a larger area to cover.
First ducks
The first ducks could be seen appearing and disappearing over the skyline of the opposite bank. I was hunkered into the edge of the banking near the apex of the peninsular when I caught a glimpse of a pair of teal heading my way. The birds were almost skimming the water as they headed towards the decoys.
I stayed perfectly still, my gun at the ready as the lead bird landed just short of the decoys before I could take a shot. Luckily the second bird continued over its mate and well within range. I mounted, lined up the shot and fired, folding my first bird. The lead bird sprang from the water and provided a shot, which resulted in the first pair in the bag. With two birds down in the water, Goose was deployed. The slacker water of the creek compared with the river makes his life a lot easier and decreases the chances of losing any fallen birds.
Veteran
As Goose entered the water, a group of teal that must have been sheltering further up the creek came barrelling towards me. These were over the banking on my side and I quickly made the decision to take the shot as the ducks passed high overhead, knocking another bird down but this time on to the banking. I only managed to get one shot off as the birds disappeared over the river.
“I am fortunate to have stood in a grouse butt on many occasions, but I would take a day shooting fast driven teal any day”
My attention now focused back on Goose who had returned to the banking with the first bird. He presented the teal before being sent back out for the second water retrieve. Goose is a veteran wildfowling dog and more than capable of making light work of multiple retrieves without much assistance from me. This partnership allows me to decide how many birds I can shoot at once without the risk of losing any. My wildfowling is often all or nothing and like many other wildfowlers, I have to make hay while the sun shines, which, in this instance, included bagging three teal in short order.
With Goose back in his hide and the tide creeping higher, we were soon greeted by more ducks heading up the channel towards the decoys. The trick is to remain as still as possible until the very last moment, as the birds soon disappear if they flare into the wind. The first shots were the easiest, as it isn’t very often you get teal decoying nicely in full daylight with plenty of warning. I managed to pick off another bird out of the pack. There seemed to be birds in all directions and plenty of them. Teal seemed to be homing into the decoys and providing every shot in the book. I am fortunate to have stood in a grouse butt on many occasions, but I would take a day shooting fast driven teal any day.
Bounty
With the water level pushing me out of my initial hole and a bounty of birds for the pot I packed up and headed for home, leaving the ducks in peace. It was certainly a flight that I will remember. Everything seemed to come together perfectly. The teal numbers were phenomenal, and our harvest hadn’t scratched the surface. The birds would be put to great use, as we are hunter-gatherers and our aim from shooting is to put sustainable low-carbon food on our plates. I think most people would agree that you cannot get much nicer meat than fresh teal. Not only will the birds provide tasty meals, but the sport is second to none. All the shooting was interesting and sporting, and even the easier birds weren’t easy. It isn’t a regular occurrence to experience flights like that, making them all the more special.