Sean Richo Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Got a small shoot few hundred acres with some ponds and small woods farmer grows rape and wheat only. Had a walk round today and the only birds around are buzzards loads of them I know a lot of pigeon have migrated now but will this amount of buzzards effect pigeon numbers next year? The last few years the farm has hundreds of pigeons on and provides good sport normally all year round but there are nowhere near this amount of buzzards normally I can only presume it's a family of them that had expanded rapidly? My mate reckons they will put a lot of pigeons off staying when they arrive back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Plenty of both here. When the Buzzards first made a comeback they kind of upset the pigeons but didn't make them go away. I think the pigeons have got used to them now and are not bothered (unfortunately!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Richo Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Ok thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simjakcal Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 got huge numbers of buzzards on the 2 farms I shoot this year, never seen so many, counting 25+ on a field at times...crows and pigeons are still around though ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesH Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Buzzards don't feed on healthy live birds, only carrion, sick or injured animals. My experience is that pigeons, crows and jackdaws all coexist quite happily with the buzzards and red kites on my permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 had a buzzard land on one of my shell decoys recently and left a few nice scratches on it. I managed to get a phone video just as it flew off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Richo Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 The only thing I was thinking that might effect pigeon numbers is will they take young pigeons from nests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dad Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 sometimes they can help by spooking pigeons in the woods or on another field and keep them on the move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 We have loads of Buzzards over all our shoots and we think they home in on the sound of shooting as they feed on the winged birds that fly off and die under trees as we find them eaten when we pack up and check the edges of the fields, They have never made a significant effect on the pigeon numbers in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Have plenty of buzzards round here and can spook local pigeons when decoying. Normally they come over and have a nosey at decoys but usually soon move off. Never had them take a bird but have had a sparrowhawk drop on a dead bird that flew about 100 yards across field before dropping dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shadow Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Buzzards a brilliant hunters of healthy birds,crows and pigeons, swooping from high in the sky , grabbing one and then landing under the hedge where they cannot be divebombed by the crows. They also feed on Rabbits,and dead or injured animals and birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Richo Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 So mixed opinions from different people that's what forums are all about. I have not really seen a pigeon the last few weeks on the shoot which is unusual as you can normally see a few moving about. The perimeter of the shoot has a ditch and trees all around the edge of the fields and they just sit there and drop out as your walking past loads of them I do think they are allready having an effect as can usually get four or five pigeons on a really Slow day but I just can't see a pigeon in the sky only time will tell roll on Spring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Richo Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 There was also a very large group of ferals on the farm even they have disappeared even crow numbers are down feel like am getting watched by buzzards wherever I go feels like every buzzard in the county is on my shoot suppose the numbers will increase every year now too as they are top of food chain! Never mind just nice getting out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 I shoot areas where there is always a Buzzard or two in the sky, they seem to have no effect on pigeon or rook numbers, or behaviour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 I shoot areas where there is always a Buzzard or two in the sky, they seem to have no effect on pigeon or rook numbers, or behaviour.That's my experience also. The corvids usually get up and move them on as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pull2007 Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 plenty buzzards here also great to see, dont think the pigeon seem to worried starting to get massive flocks at the moment had a one swoop down on some decoys great site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 A lot of Buzzards around here plus a nesting pair in one of our woods. It doesn't seem to deter pigeons or crows. We also have the odd Sparrowhawk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 We have 2 pairs nesting and the pigeons roost in the same wood mtrs from the nest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Richo Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Hopefully will see some pigeons about soon then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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