6000+ woodpigeons on south coast

[davidlangmeads]

I am a professional vermin controller employed seasonally by a major salad crop grower.

For the last eight years I have noticed large flocks of woodpigeons using a flightline from Littlehampton along the sea as far as Selsey (West Sussex).Approx 20% of the pigeons then head out to sea

presumeably to the Isle of Wight.The remainder turn inland at Wittering.This always happens after the first full moon in November and are more concentrate on a frosty morning.Does anyone know where they come from and where they are feeding

[BSA-airgunner]

now thatsa flight line worth sitting under

[docholiday]

We get good pigeon shooting on the I.O.W. and its at its best sept to march, not sure if these are your pigeons, but always thought the shooting on the island was better than my area on the mainland

Doc

[davidlangmeads]

certainly some of the pigeons are heading to I.O.W but the rest are following coastline west.

There is a roost wood at Selsey and no-one can get permission to shoot,however we grow lettuce in season on the adjoining farmland and I have noticed that the pigeons leave their roost and also head out to sea !

[chrispti]

now thatsa flight line worth sitting under

 

Hear hear

[Cookiemonsterandmerlin.]

Do you think they are of to the seaside for the day.

[chrispti]

Do you think they are of to the seaside for the day.

 

Could well be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . if I see any carrying a bucket and spade I will let you know

[Spaniel]

They are all going to have ago on that chair lift on the IOW..god that scared me when we went over there

 

I have not seen many around here to be honest but hopefully will have a go on them or the crows on sunday if it isnt tipping down

[Popgun]

Every morning for the last 2 weeks about 1 hour after first light till miday ish hundreds of pigeons have been coming in from the sea and flying across the harbour heading inland there in flights of 50 to a hundred or so.

[shifter]

Hi i live in the north of Guernsey Channel Islands first light for an orso fist full moon early november i regurly see hundreds of birds in large flocks. These birds are definately not local they may sit in any available tree but usualy circle around the north of the island before heading east towards France.Whilst shooting our south coast cliffs it is not unusual to see huge flocks arrive low over the sea before climbing up over the cliffs then head north. These birds arrive From Brittany presumably a direct flight over 80 miles of sea. though i,ve witnessed only at max a couple of thousand birds some of the local boys have seen them arrive continually for several hours.

[tosspot]

I have seen huge flocks coming in from the coast at Littlehampton at an incredible height heading inland, untouchable with the shotgun, where they come from and more importantly where they go i've often wondered.