GB2443381A

GB2443381A - A bird trap

Info

Publication number: GB2443381A
Application number: GB0622036A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Joseph Adamson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-04
Filing date: 2006-11-04
Publication date: 2008-05-07
Also published as: GB0622036D0

Abstract

A trap for catching live birds comprising a catching receptacle 1 formed of two separate parts joined along a hinge 3. The two halves are connected by springs 2. When the trap is set the catching receptacles are held apart by a split perch 4. In use, target birds are attracted to the traps by a decoy bird in an adjacent holding cage, or by bait in the base of the trap. As the bird lands on the perch it gives way under the weight of the bird and the trap closes due to the action of the springs.

Description

Description: Adamson Trap

This invention relates to a device for catching legally controlled birds (including: Carrion Crow, Hooded Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay and Rook) for conservation and livestock protection. The control of such species is now widely regarded as an essential part of wildlife conservation and livestock protection The trap was designed as a result of previous traps becoming less successful in recent years at controlling pest species. The presumption behind this reduced success is that birds within the corvid family are very intelligent and when faced with entering a traditional trap it appears they are aware they are entering a trap and becoming increasingly reluctant to enter.

The success of the Adamson Trap is due to the open top and two sides on catching receptacles allowing birds to enter from different directions and creating the effect that the bird can hop on and off the perch leaving the receptacle either out of the top or the other open side; making birds much less reluctant to enter as they aren't entering a box. This is achieved by having two halves of the catching receptacle (1) being sprung together by two springs (2) as appose to one spring-loaded door on traditional traps. As a result this means three sides of the catching receptacle (1) are open, whereas only one side is open on traditional traps. This appears unique in that each catching receptacle (1) can either be side entry or top entry. The other key feature of the Adamson Trap is the catching receptacles (1) aren't attached to the decoy holding cage (5) allowing easy movement and endless setting configurations. There are a range of animal welfare advantages

explained with in this description.

The control of corvids and other pest species of bird remains legal through a general licence issued annually. The Adamson Trap catches birds alive and unharmed with the use of either bait within the catching receptacles (1) or the use of a decoy bird within the decoy holding cage (5). Decoy birds are previously caught birds kept alive in the decoy holding cage (5).

Uncaught territory holding birds think the single decoy bird is an intruder and will try to drive it away by approaching the trap, at which point it is hopefully caught by the process explained above. Birds have to be caught alive and unharmed because there is always a threat with any trap of catching species other than those targeted, many of these non-target species are protected by law and must be released alive and unharmed.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a top view of the Adamson Trap with the minimum recommended dimensions to minimise animal cruelty.

Figure 2 shows the trap with catching receptacles around the decoy holding cage as the standard way the trap is set.

Figure 3 shows the catching receptacle set form a front view illustrating what happens when the split perch is touched by a bird.

Figure 4 shows the catching receptacle closed, where the caught bird will remain until it is removed by an authorised person.

Figures 5 & 6 shows different angles of the catching receptacle; which can be used without the decoy holding cage to catch birds for use in the decoy holding cage.

Figure 7 shows catching receptacle closed creating a complete unit that the bird cannot escape Figure 8 shows the joint between the two halves on the catching receptacle creating a hinge that the two halves can pivot on.

Figure 9 shows catching receptacle closed from another angle.

Figures 10 & 11 shows the decoy holding cage form two different angles, which can also be used without catcher receptacles for a short time to attract attention of crows before setting trap.

Figures 12, 13 & 14 shows a small collection of different ways the Adamson Trap can be set, there are endless possibly configurations for setting the Adamson Trap.

Figure 1 (page 1/7) illustrates the dimensions of the holder (5) and catchers (1) these are included as these are the recommended minimum sizes that could be used to prevent animal cruelty. Any smaller dimensions could result in animal cruelty. Decoy birds will work better in larger holders, as this allows more room for them to move around, attracting attention to them-selves.

Figure 2 (page 2/7) illustrates the whole trap with catching receptacles (I) and decoy holding cage (5) together. This is the standard way the trap is set to target lerrhorial birds as they will be attracted to the decoy bird within the decoy holding cage (5) and generally jump on a split perch (4) and are caught in the process.

The Adamson Trap has 2 main components shown within Figure 2 (page 2/7), the decoy holding cage (5) for the decoy bird and the catching receptacles (1), of which there are two catching receptacles (I). The catching receptacles (1) are placed on the floor with a gap against a decoy holding cage (5); the wild birds are then attracted to the decoy bird held within the decoy holding cage (5), because they are territorial in spring they will try to drive the decoy bird out of their territory. In doing this they will walk, jump and hop around the decoy holding cage (5) and in the process jump on the split perch (4) within the catching receptacles (1) to try and drive the decoy bird away by getting up higher asserting dominance over the decoy bird.

Figure 3 (page 3/7) illustrates the catching receptacles (1) when it is set with the front side open enabling the bird to jump on the split perch (4) with the top open so the bird does not suspect that it is entering a receptacle. Because the two sides of the catching receptacles (1) have two springs (2) pulling together when a bird lands on the slit perch (4) it gives way under the momentum of the bird and the two sides come together over the birds head, holding the bird within the receptacle. The drawing within figure 3 (page 3/8) illustrates how the split perch (4) collapses when a birds touches it, allowing the sprung sides to come together.

The closed catching receptacle illustrated in Figure 4 (page 3/7) where the bird will remain until the trap is next checked and the bird removed by an authorized person. Two springs (2) are used, one at the back and one at the front; this allows the catching receptacles to be sprung quickly, evenly and not allowing escape once the bird is caught.

Figures 5 & 6 (page 4/7) illustrate the catching receptacle (I) set from two angles with all the components of the catching receptacles (1) listed. These catching receptacles (1) can be used alone without the decoy holding cage (5). For example baiting with a fake nest of eggs within each catching receptacle (1) either on the ground or up a tree, this will attract birds from the corvid family and as they jump onto the split perch (4) to get to the nest in the bottom of the catching receptacle (I) it will be sprung and the two sides will come above over the birds head and it will be caught. This method is best used at the very beginning of the corvid control season to catch the first decoy bird to be used in the decoy holding cage (5) throughout the season to attract other birds.

Figures 7 and 9 (page 5/7) shows the closed catching receptacle (1) where the bird will remain inside when the trap is tripped. The complete box is created from a relatively open device by having two sides springing together. The closed catching receptacles provide enough room for the bird to move but not enough for the wings to be stretched. If traps are only able to be checked once a day larger catching receptacles can be used whereas if traps can be checked two are three times a day smaller catching receptacles (I) are ideal. This all increases the verticality of having separate components to the Adamson Trap.

Figure 8 (page 5/7) illustrates the hinge that allows the two halves to be joined together and allow the springs to pull the sides together when the trap is tripped. This hinge is created by joining the two sides of the catcher together with galvanised clips that allows the sides to rotate.

The decoy holder cage (5) shown in figures 10 & 11 (page 6/7) is the part of the Adamson Trap that holds a decoy bird such as a Carrion Crow or Magpie. By law this must contain food, shelter, water and a perch. The Adamson Trap decoy holding cage is seen to be an enhancement of present corvid traps in that it is completely separate from the catching receptacles (I). The decoy holding cage (5) is constructed of the same weld mesh as the catching receptacles and includes a wooden perch (8) covered by a shelter, half of which is wood (6) to provide shelter from the sun, the other half is clear Perspex (7) to provide shelter from rain. The sole purpose of the decoy holding cage (5) is to hold a decoy bird to attract other birds to be caught in the separate catching receptacles (5). Access to the decoy holding cage (5) for inserting and removing birds and food and water is through a weidmesh hinged door (9) on top of the holding cage. The hinged door (9) can be locked with a padlock to protect against birds being released illegally.

There are a range of benefits as a result of separate decoy holding cage (5) and catching receptacles (1). Both practical trapping success and animal welfare issues are enhanced by having separate components. One problem with existing traps the Adamson Trap solves results from catching receptacles being conventionally attached to the decoy holding cage so when one compartment goes off this can set other compartments off at the same time as a result of the movement from the trap tripping process. The movement of the decoy bird if energetic within the decoy holding cage could also set catchers off in traditional traps. Because the separate components of the Adamson Trap are not joined together at any point no amount of movement from the bird within the decoy holding cage (5) or caught birds within separate catching receptacles (1) can set individual catchers (1) off.

Animal welfare is enhanced by having separate catching receptacles (I) and decoy bird holding cage (5). It is regarded an advantage if birds are not dispatched in sight of other birds; because the catching receptacles (1) are separate from decoy holding cage (5) any caught bird can simply be carried in the closed catching receptacle (1) away from the bird in the decoy holding cage (5) and humanely dispatched out of sight of other birds with minimal stress to birds involved. An additional improvement from existing traps that have the decoy holder and catchers joined together, only separated by a section of wire; birds when caught are then able to dispute with each other through the wire until one of the birds is removed. Because the Adamson Trap has a gap between the decoy holding cage (5) and catching receptacles (1) which is too large for the birds to make contact with each other this conflict cannot happen. They will however shout and call at one another, which will increase the chance of catching additional birds. Because the Adamson Trap is very portable, birds can be moved from location to location without having to be taken out of the decoy holding cage (5) as it takes up less room than traditional traps with catchers attached. Because birds are not removed from the decoy holder (5) it means that throughout the journey birds will have access to food, shelter, water and a perch and will be handled as little as possible to minimise the stress involved.

On existing traps, side entry catchers appear to work better catching carrion crows, whereas top entry catchers are superior for catching magpies, the Adamson Trap appears unique in that each catching receptacle (1) combines both side and top entry methods within one catching device. On an existing trap with two catchers there would only either be; two top entry point catchers, two side entry point catchers or one top and one side entry point catchers. The Adamson Trap with two catchers (1) has four side entry points and two top entry point access point catchers, there still are two receptacles but the options of entering them are three times as many as traditional traps.

The catching receptacle (1) with the Adamson Trap works alongside the decoy holding cage (5). In many situations 2 catching receptacles (1) are sufficient around the decoy holding cage (5) to catch a pair of birds; however because catching receptacles (1) are not attached to the decoy holder cage (5) as many as is required can be used around one decoy bird within the holding cage (5). The more traps placed around one decoy bird the more liable birds are to be caught trying to chase the decoy bird out of their territory.

Figures 12, 13 & 14 (page 7/7) illustrate the different ways the Adamson Trap system can be set with the catching receptacles (1) set around the decoy holder cage (5). There are endless possibilities and configurations that the trap system can be set up. The advantage of this is that the appearance of the trap can be constantly changed, with different configurations used regularly so birds don't associate the appearance of the trap with being caught; prolonging the effectiveness of the trap in the future. The decoy holding cage (5) can be used with a decoy bird with no catching receptacles (1) around it so birds can approach it with confidence until the decoy is attracting sufficient numbers of birds. Catching receptacles(l) can then be placed around the decoy holding cage (5) to catch the attracted birds.

The construction of catching receptacle (1) is relatively simple; they are constructed in two sides. The two sides (1) are held together at the bottom by galvanized steel clips (3) to provide a hinge holding the two halves together securely as illustrated in figure 8 (page 5/7). Each side is constructed from one piece of 50mm2 weldmesh, with 90 degree bends on the corners. Galvanized steel clips are then used to attach the sides to the bottom resulting in each side being strong. Once the two halves are made and hinged together, springs are attached at the front and back within the catching receptacle (1) to make them pull together. The split perch (4) is a piece of wood 480mm long cut in half to hold the two sides apart until the split perch (4) is disturbed, were is collapses.

The construction of the decoy bird holding cage (5) is equally simple, being construction with the same 50mm2 weldmesh. The four sides are constructed from one piece with 90 degree bends at the corners. The top and base are cut from the same weidmesh and joined with the same galvanized wire clips as the catching receptacles (I). A simple perch (8) is installed from the same wood as the split perch (4) and a shelter made from Perspex (7) and plywood (6) covers the perch (4). A simple weldmesh hinged opening (9) is cut in the top to allow access into the decoy holding cage (5) for food, water and the decoy bird. The decoy holding cage (5) is then complete which will hold a decoy bird alive and well and will not allow escape. The hinged opening (9) can be closed and locked with a padlock to ensure the decoy bird is not illegally released.

Claims

Claims: Adamson Trap 1. A humane bird trap were catchers provide an

open top and two sides enabling birds to enter from different directions creating the effect that the bird can hop on and off the perch departing the receptacle either out of the top or the other open side; increasing catch success.
2. A bird trap where the decoy holding cage is not attached to catching receptacles.
3. A bird trap where the catching receptacles are not attached to the decoy holding cage allowing them to be used alone away from the decoy holding cage.
4. A bird trap where the catching receptacles are not joined to one other
5. A bird trap with catching receptacles comprised of two halves hinged down the middle along the bottom enabling the whole trap to pivot and come together as two halves providing more open space leading into each catcher.
6. A bird catching receptacle according to claim 5 with springs pulling the two halves together creating an enclosed receptacle when tripped.
7. A bird catching receptacle according to claim 6 with two springs, one at the front and one at the back allowing the split perch to be situated in the middle of the catching receptacle
8. A bird catching receptacle according to claim 6 with two springs, one at the front and one at the back allowing the catcher to pull together quickly and evenly; stopping escape during and after the catching process.
9. A bird catching receptacle according to claim 6 where the tripping mechanism comprises a split perch that when touched will allow the two halves according to claim 4 to come together creating an enclosed receptacle around the bird.
10. A bird trap according to claim 3 allowing catching receptacles to be moved away from the holder to allow humane dispatch out of sight of the decoy bird within decoy holding cage, resulting in minimum handling arid 1ittle stress to all birds.
11. A bird trap according to claim 3 preventing caught birds making aggressive contact with one other through the wire as the gap between catching receptacles and decoy holding cage is too large to allow captive birds to reach each one other.
12. A bird trap according to claim 2 where movement of the decoy holding cage cannot set catching receptacles off.
13. A bird trap according to claim 4 where movement from one catching receptacle cannot set off other catching receptacles.
14. A bird trap according to claim 4 allowing as many catching receptacles can be placed around decoy holding cage as required 15) A bird trap according to claim 3 enabling catching receptacles to be used without the decoy holding cage to catch birds at the beginning of the season with bait such as a fake nest when decoy birds are not effective 16) A bird trap according to claim 1 5 where catching receptacles can be used alone either on the ground or up a tree due to portability.

17) A bird trap according to claim 2 where the decoy holding cage can be used alone to attract birds for shooting from a nearby hide 18) A bird trap according to claim 2 where holding cage is separate to allow decoy bird to be moved without being handled to minimise stress and provide birds with food shelter water and a perch thought the translocation.