So do pigeons migrate in the winter?

[JDog]

Pigeons back in this area in fair numbers thank you lord.

 

Have you seen any with balls?

[goober]

Found this while looking for info on this years bird migration..........For several years now I have been recording visible migration on the Gwent coast at Peterstone Wentlooge. One rather spectacular aspect of this is the large numbers of wood pigeon moving along the S. Wales coast in late October and early November when peak counts are generally 10,000-30,000 birds per hour (have a look at the results on the Trektellen website.-http://www.trektellen.org/default.asp?site=0&taal=2&land=5)

 

These birds appear to be of British origin (there are few records of incoming flocks on the east coast at that time of year). From what we know, many birds move SW over the English Midlands and seem to get ‘bottled up’ somewhere in the area from Forest of Dean through to the area between the L bank of the Wye and R bank of the Severn. It is not clear how they reach the S Wales coast from there, but they do, in large numbers and continue to move westwards through Gwent and Glamorgan and probably leave the Welsh coast at some unknown point heading southwards into SW England (I have seen large flocks overflying Lundy for example).

 

This year I would like to get together a coordinated observation of direction and numbers. We do not know if they enter our region via the Severn, Wye or Usk nor how far west they travel in Wales before heading out to sea. I would like to get a small group of observers stationed at a few critical points to try and sort this out. I can probably arrange for the sites in Gwent but don’t know enough birders in Glamorgan who might be interested. It would need someone at Lavernock (perhaps also further inland as many birds follow the edge of the line of hills in Gwent and may also do so in Glamorgan). Also somebody looking seaward and inland in the Kenfig area, and of course if sites further west could be managed then all the better. Possible dates would be preferably the weekend of 2/3 November or perhaps 9/10 November. It would be best if all observers were in ‘phone contact with each other to help better coordinate things.

 

So my question is, do you know of anybody who might be willing to participate for 1 or 2 days? Seeing multiple big flocks of pigeons looming out of the dawn sky is a real wildlife spectacular. . and one that many S Wales birders miss out on. There are usually simultaneous movements of other birds at that time and who knows, participants might even catch the viz-mig bug?

[JDog]

All very good stuff, and the migration would be a sight for sore eyes without a doubt. Just a pity I am too far away or I would come to observe.

 

You need an observer in another famous 'bottleneck' which is just South of Birmingham. I know just the man.

[Shooting2]

 

Have you seen any with balls?

Pw classic lol :)

[goober]

I looked at link in post and it states large counts around Birmingham area at present,also around Surrey which ties in with comments on this forum.May see some movement soon hopefully as it goes dead soon after first week of November.

[pigeon controller]

All very good stuff, and the migration would be a sight for sore eyes without a doubt. Just a pity I am too far away or I would come to observe.

 

You need an observer in another famous 'bottleneck' which is just South of Birmingham. I know just the man.

I can observe them with my bead if I get the chance!!!!!!!!

[JDog]

I can observe them with my bead if I get the chance!!!!!!!!

 

If you get one tomorrow just have a look to see if it has any balls.

[Shooting2]

 

If you get one tomorrow just have a look to see if it has any balls.

I'm out as well tomorrow Jdog so will let ya know if I get any that have balls or are in balls!!

Lol you made me giggle anyway

[rayhallam]

Yes I believe they do. Seen pigeon making land in Norfolk and talking to the French that are heading to our shores to shoot em they hit em when there passing off high stool type arrangements. "Passing pigeon" they call it.

 

So I am of the opinion that yes they migrate.

 

Karpman

on autumn watch tonight someone reported about 4000 wood pigeons flew over gibralta point migrating

ray

[955i]

Consider that many Red Admiral butterflies cross to the UK from Europe and it stands to reason that pigeons would do the same.

 

Some are sedentary and others move, depends on where they are and what conditions they feel they need.

 

Nature is always far more unpredictable than we give it credit for.

[Kes]

We need to remember that 1000 years ago it was thought that swallows spent the winter underwater in ponds and rivers.

Evolution means that food and pigeon porn drive their habits so as it gets colder where you are you move. Hard to tell one woodie from another but as some have said regional even international variations occur so, yes it must be migration.

The interesting things are where do birds migrate from and to and is there anywhere a truly resident population which never moves more than a few miles. The last point is, I think, self explanatory - all pigeons move significant distances and if you find conditions better where you fly to you are going to stay if the competition for food resources and mates is low?

[goober]

Few thousand pigeon over Newport this morning in groups from 10 to 250 heading west.should see more over next few days,weather permitting.

[Actionpigeons]

I have heard that, like woodcock - there are 3 populations

1. a resident breeding population which may move south in winter but stay in the country.

2. a southern continental migratory population which comes and goes to france etc, summer and winter and

3 a Scandinavian/north european population which winters over here when it gets v.cold in their home territory.

This seems logical.