yickdaz Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Yes, I'm only too well aware that feeding habits differ from area to area, as you've pointed out before, the rape in your area comes into flower in November, remember... All I can say is that during the seriously cold weather we've had a couple of times around here over the past 5 years, with persistently sub zero temps and prolonged snow cover, the quantity of birds feeding on the rape has declined significantly, I'm convinced they all cleared off to areas of the Country that were snow free, they certainly didn't stick around here. Kitch is coming down to South Herts as soon as it snows to show me how to shoot big bags of suicidal birds over rape during a blizzard, as I've only been at it nearly 40 years and haven't managed it yet.. I hope to find a spot nearby in the woods close to some Ivy covered trees and we'll have a little head count at the end of the day. Cat. oh your easily wound up I agree on snow thing I have never shot a good bag on snow covered rape,unless you call 18 a good bag in the snow but through memory and records the best bags 50 plus have been when its cold and frosty during dec,jan, feb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elby Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I've shot plenty of good bags in the snow. Take a broom, show a bit of green and in they'll come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Right on the road bout half way between 'The Palms' on the old A120 and Great Saling village on the left going towards Great Saling. From what I understand he's been there for some time and no bother - a caravan and the usual scrap and a van or two. Where's this traveller camp?? I was looking at a house in Jasper's Green and wondered why there were a lot of For Sale signs....... Please scare them down to Essex then.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 I've shot plenty of good bags in the snow. Take a broom, show a bit of green and in they'll come Doh.....!!!... That's where I've been going wrong all these years, I should have taken a broom and not a shotgun..?? Joking apart, I've tried this in the past without success, all I've succeeded in doing is destroying a small patch of rape with a vigorous brushing action, I think you'd need to clear a patch as big as a football field for the birds to show any interest, and my farmer friends wouldn't take too kindly to me doing that, they see snow cover as a protective blanket which is best left well alone. Anyway, back to the original post, the rape in my area is still being completely ignored by the birds, they're still on acorns and now seeing more on Ivy berries. I've noticed on my travels around Newmarket, Cambridge and Norwich that they've been on the rape for some time, but not in any great numbers. It may be that they don't touch the rape here in any numbers, there's still that much alternative food available. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 still all in the woods around me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Right on the road bout half way between 'The Palms' on the old A120 and Great Saling village on the left going towards Great Saling. From what I understand he's been there for some time and no bother - a caravan and the usual scrap and a van or two. Thanks for this, Yes I did see a tiny scrap-yard sort of place, didn't look too bad. Cheers, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Doh.....!!!... That's where I've been going wrong all these years, I should have taken a broom and not a shotgun..?? Joking apart, I've tried this in the past without success, all I've succeeded in doing is destroying a small patch of rape with a vigorous brushing action, I think you'd need to clear a patch as big as a football field for the birds to show any interest, and my farmer friends wouldn't take too kindly to me doing that, they see snow cover as a protective blanket which is best left well alone. Anyway, back to the original post, the rape in my area is still being completely ignored by the birds, they're still on acorns and now seeing more on Ivy berries. I've noticed on my travels around Newmarket, Cambridge and Norwich that they've been on the rape for some time, but not in any great numbers. It may be that they don't touch the rape here in any numbers, there's still that much alternative food available. Cat. I've tried clearing snow off, by pulling a branch across rape to dislodge snow. It had some effect... I have also tried asking a farmer to put a tarpaulin out the night before it snows, so that I could remove it later. He said something about about going forth to multipy, which I took as a negative! On the temperature side, if the pigeon needs to maintain a body temerature of, say, 30C and it's +5 to +10 outside, his nice warm feathers (fluffed up if required) can handle the job with a minimum consumption of energy - stored fat etc. However, if the ambient temperature drops to -5 to -10, the temperature gradient across the feather duvet almost doubles. The Laws of Thermodynamics say that the rate of heat loss is proportional to the temperature gradient across the insulating layer. Therefore, the poor old pigeon will have to use up more "fuel" to keep his body at operating temperature. Therefore, after a few days, when he has used up most of the stored fat, he has to eat more. So sitting in the trees and having the odd snack when the fancy takes is a life-threatening life style. That's when the pendulum of fate swings a bit in our favour (I hope!!) Sitting in the trees also saves energy, farmer's rockets just make the poor things fly about and use more fuel, therefore they must eat more. But try explaining that to a farmer!!! Still doing my snow-dance Cat!! All the breast, Kitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Yes, I'm only too well aware that feeding habits differ from area to area, as you've pointed out before, the rape in your area comes into flower in November, remember... All I can say is that during the seriously cold weather we've had a couple of times around here over the past 5 years, with persistently sub zero temps and prolonged snow cover, the quantity of birds feeding on the rape has declined significantly, I'm convinced they all cleared off to areas of the Country that were snow free, they certainly didn't stick around here. Kitch is coming down to South Herts as soon as it snows to show me how to shoot big bags of suicidal birds over rape during a blizzard, as I've only been at it nearly 40 years and haven't managed it yet.. I hope to find a spot nearby in the woods close to some Ivy covered trees and we'll have a little head count at the end of the day. Cat. Looking forward to it!! I hope the bear in my ID picture can see off your cat! I agree, local conditions can apply, let's hope for a nationwide freeze!! Kitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Looking forward to it!! I hope the bear in my ID picture can see off your cat! I agree, local conditions can apply, let's hope for a nationwide freeze!! Kitch Well, I've already primed my local Game Dealer to clear out his freezer as soon as it snows as I'm guaranteeing him a massive bag of freshly shot birds from an expert Winter shooter coming down from North Herts.... I'm not exactly flavour of the month with him this Winter, as the last birds he had from me were around mid September, but I did warn him back then that things were looking bad due to the massive acorn crop....thank goodness Kitch is coming to save the day.. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Well, I've already primed my local Game Dealer to clear out his freezer as soon as it snows as I'm guaranteeing him a massive bag of freshly shot birds from an expert Winter shooter coming down from North Herts.... I'm not exactly flavour of the month with him this Winter, as the last birds he had from me were around mid September, but I did warn him back then that things were looking bad due to the massive acorn crop....thank goodness Kitch is coming to save the day.. Cat. You're not over-hyping this are you? I'm still looking forward to it, but also getting in some practise at eating humble pie! I expect you have purchased the world's supply of rockets to move ALL birds out of SE England. At least we are entertaining PW members during these lean times!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Got invited to a pheasant shoot today. However, I saw more pigeons today than I have seen total in the last few months. Could it be "Game on Gents"??? This was near Little Hadam, they were on rape, then big flocks heading north about 2.30pm, during our last drive (too high). Must have been a few 1000! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elby Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 I saw a good few on grass yesterday. Dunno who taught pigeons to smoke. Think it calms their nerves before they fly past cats a mong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Got invited to a pheasant shoot today. However, I saw more pigeons today than I have seen total in the last few months. Could it be "Game on Gents"??? This was near Little Hadam, they were on rape, then big flocks heading north about 2.30pm, during our last drive (too high). Must have been a few 1000! Nah...you were dreaming, it's still far too mild for pigeons to be actually feeding... Cat. I saw a good few on grass yesterday. Dunno who taught pigeons to smoke. Think it calms their nerves before they fly past cats a mong I've fitted an extra long handle to my broom to whack 'em out of the sky as they fly past towards Kitch's irresistable decoy pattern, they'll be that stoned they won't see it coming...... Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Nah...you were dreaming, it's still far too mild for pigeons to be actually feeding... Cat. I've fitted an extra long handle to my broom to whack 'em out of the sky as they fly past towards Kitch's irresistable decoy pattern, they'll be that stoned they won't see it coming...... Cat. There was hail on the ground Cat!! Also, look at the weather maps - the nearer part of Europe now has a clockwise wind circulation with cold air coming from Siberia. Let's try and put 2 and 2 together......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elby Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 5? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Well, just for the record, I did notice yesterday that there were some birds on a rape field near me, the temperature was 9 degrees c. Will have another look next weekend, when it's forecast to be a bit colder.... Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 5? Close enough!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elby Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Typical, Had 3 guys coming to shoot yesterday and it tipped down all day so cancelled Sunny today and I reckon there was near a 1000 pigeon on the field Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Nah...you were dreaming, it's still far too mild for pigeons to be actually feeding... Cat. I've fitted an extra long handle to my broom to whack 'em out of the sky as they fly past towards Kitch's irresistable decoy pattern, they'll be that stoned they won't see it coming...... Cat. You could be right Cat, they may have been a migration flock just resting on the rape field as there is no sign of them now. I hope they did an about face to S Herts as the weather is said to be getting colder.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony G Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Took the dogs for a walk round Tring reservoirs yesterday Saw a good lot of pigeons on a couple of rape fields between Marsworth and Wilstone Anybody shoot round there ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xplor Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Took the dogs for a walk round Tring reservoirs yesterday Saw a good lot of pigeons on a couple of rape fields between Marsworth and Wilstone Anybody shoot round there ?. I shoot a lot of places around the Tring area, and the fields you are talking about are shot over by a mate. We will probably be out there Wednesday, problem is one shot and there gone. Xplor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony G Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Know what you mean about one shot and they're gone Seemed to be a good flight line from far side of Wilstone reservoir into the fields Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastair0903 Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 The pigeons have got to Chelmsford , have seen a flock of around 300 kicking around the farm today . I didn`t see them settle for long , but they were dropping into one of the rape fields Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blasterjudd Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Been roosting near Dunmow theres thousands dropping in the fir woods at night! just got to polish the snap shooting skills in 30 mph winds a case of now u see em now u dont but there about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 1000's, without a picture to prove it. Your Mum told you a million times about exaggerating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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