The trap has been out there for a week now. Around the tree is maize / corn bait. Smeared in places on the tree up from there is the GoodNature hazelnut paste; also on and above the trap itself. Bait topped up daily. Trailcam showing increase in Squirrel activity around the area from before baiting (unsurprisingly!). Also showing mice at night, enjoying the paste.
Counter reads 7 after a week with (sadly) 2 mice as bycatch and 2 squirrels, so only 4 confirmed casualties. I wonder if the "missing" 3 count is either a small creature (mouse perhaps) triggering the trap without being in the "danger zone", or that maybe Foxy got there in the morning before me to tidy up any cull.
@Nice65 mentions in the
"Air pistol for Squirrels?" thread that slugs were triggering his trap. Maybe this was it?
Am vaguely thinking of getting another trap for the other side of the woodland, albeit much older mature trees (as opposed to the young Silver Birch and Oak being decimated), as Squirrels are caught on cam there. I'll see how I get on over the next 3 / 4 weeks with this one before deciding.