These small birds called European Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) are very common across whole Europe, but nonetheless very beautiful and often overlooked. They start building their nests in the branches of the trees during spring time. The nest itself is hemispherical and very neatly woven and lined with fine fluff. Another interesting thing about the goldfinches is that they have typical sweet high pitched warble and are often hybridised with canaries which produces vigorous offspring with pleasant song.
I'll try this year to find singing goldfinch with nest, but for now that is all I could get.
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London
This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single square sheet (6'x6' tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 2 min and costs about £2. The weight with the pegs and the pole (can be used walking stick, too) is half kilogram (1lbs). Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.
It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do.
The advantages compared to the other set up (2x3 tarp/sheet) are that this one is a bit taller, so it is easier to sit inside and eat or have a cup, it uses only one pole, it is better closed and has smaller foot print.
Disadvantages are that being taller is easier to be seen, it is not so stable in wind, it is smaller and not so comfortable, there is need for a longer piece of string.
I used to do this more then 20 years ago in the army with my plasht (or as the Russians call it "plash-palatka"), which has the same size as standart tarp 1.8x1.8m (6'x6'). I think it was alright size 70 years ago, when most of the soldiers were 1.7m (5'7"), but today it is on the shorter side as I am 1.82m (about 6') and 7'x7' tarp (or other type of material) would be the right size for me.
This is only to show the idea how a square sheet can be folded in a pyramid and by no means a final and perfect shelter solution. There are many improvements that can be done, according each taste. If you have ideas for improvements or bettering the set up please write them in the comment section. Thanks.
Below photos and paper model showing how exactly is folded:
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Square sheet of some water/windproof fabric
Folding it, so we can find the middle of each side
Mark/fold the line between corner and middle of the corresponding side
Mark/fold the line between corner and middle of the corresponding side
Same for the other side
Another view to show better how it looks
Folding the line of the front flap
Sheet folded in the shape of the tent
For simulating pitching up, I used 2 pins to show where are the pegs, which will stretch and fix the sheet to the ground
For the pole which supports the tent I used toothpick. In reality it is a stick 1.4m long, from which 0.4m are nailed into the ground and is fixed with string/buttons/wire to the front flap. Also there can be used piece of string to pull the pole in the opposite of the pegs direction.
This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single 2x3 sheet (tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 3 min and costs about £2. The weight with the poles (can be used walking stick, too) is half to one kilogram. Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.
It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do.
This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single 2x3 sheet (tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 3 min and costs about £2. The weight with the poles (can be used walking sticks instead) is half to one kilogram. Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.
It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do.
