using finches, wrens, etc

[johnclyde]

Unfortunately my mum's cat is prone to killing the odd little bird and leaving it at the doorstep. I saw in FF&FT that people like Skues praised the feathers of bullfinches, chaffinches, wrens, etc.

Anyone tried it? Any advice?

[danielp]

Would make good soft hackles on spider patterns etc... Sure there are some lovely colours to play with.

Word of advice is to microwave the feathers on full blast for 30 seconds and then freeze for a fortnight before adding them to your tying collection. I ruined a cape by leaving it with some collected pheasant tails and the bugs ate it.

Dan

[Sunrider]

Regardless of how they came to their unfortunate end I'd be wary of using their feathers from a legal standpoint. Explaining how you got them could prove difficult if challenged.

Something like that would be worth checking in advance.

[weight_forward]

Or you could just chance it - when was the last time the fly police stop and searched your fly box!

[flytier07]

Unless someone saw you pick it up it's hard to prove you have the feathers. Not so if you're on a road and stop to pick up a road-kill-even more difficult in america because of CITES and so on, but there again if no one sees you...??!! Owl feathers, sea gull, landrail, etc used to be used extensively before the RSPB brought in control. Just have a look at some old patterns-and some not all that old.

[matt_b]

Sparrow makes nice small spiders (I have a pretty murderous cat too...)

[A. Fluker]

My cats are so lazy I have to shoot the birds.

[andy macbog]

Have a wee look here. The first list is birds that you would be best to avoid having in your possession and the remainder would be OK, assuming they were shot in the right season. In fact, I am always surprised at some of the species you can still shoot (ptarmigan and goldeneye, for example).

Note that all birds are protected during their breeding season, including 'pest' species, so crows, for example, must not be shot when nesting. But as soon as the fledgling steps from the nest . . . .

Obviously the spirit of the law is to protect certain bird species especially, which is only fair and right, and I think any reasonable human could respect that.

At the end of the day though, detection would be nearly impossible and prosecution very unlikely. I think its just a case of being sensible and there is plenty of roadkill to be had. With the plethora of materials and dyes that exist how much more do we need?

A

[Phideaux]

If you think you run a risk with bird feathers, then you'd better be aware of the law regarding being in possession of a badger or any part of the animal such as hair!

[flytier07]

Originally Posted by Phideaux

If you think you run a risk with bird feathers, then you'd better be aware of the law regarding being in possession of a badger or any part of the animal such as hair!

What-even if you buy it from a reputable supplier? Glasgow Angling Centre sells it-among others.