Mallorcan wood pigeon

[henry d]

Every time I am over there I see quite a few, and wondered if they are shot in any numbers?

Also I notice that they are slightly smaller (possibly less feathering) have smaller neck patches, less of a clap when display flighting and a different coo.

 

Anyone else noticed these too?

[Cranfield]

I was under the impression that the wood pigeon in Mallorca were the same as our wood pigeon.

If you take a look at a map showing the distribution of wood pigeon, it takes in most of Europe and N Africa.

 

 

[Continental Shooter]

Aye, you can shoot them with the right permits.

 

I shoot them in the north, Spanish side of the Basc country.

 

In the past the woodies shooting was only done through the birds migration from the North-east Europe to north Africa. Normally this would neither interest nor concern the uk resident population as these are mostly ...resident , sometimes it can happen that due to the wind and weather condition some might come in from the north east (Sweden, Denmark,etc) or move further south (Holland, France, etc) but never in significant numbers.

 

Anyway, in the last 15 years the woodpigeon has started colonizing the southern part of europe (Italy, Spain, etc) and increase in numbers to such an extent that in some areas of Spain is seen as pest and has induced the government to start the season earlier for fear of further damages to cereal and other products.

 

Amongst this area affected, there is Mallorca.....is probably best to search for agencies at first than you should be able to get a permit by presenting your SGC and paying the fees and that's the easy part....

 

The difficult one is to find ground.... you will need to be either a member or a guest of a 'coto' (a private shooting area) ... and that's where an agency might help, once you know the lads or pay the joining fee, you will be able to shoot the land...

 

Normally your shooting position will be drawn or assigned to you on the morning and you can only shoot there.

 

if you can get your permit sorted (I can't advise on that as each region has its own rules) you might be shooting there by the 15/8

 

Good luck

BTW, with regards to the differences in size.... i think is the diet! in mallorca they don't eat fish&chips and is warmer so, less plumage.

 

It's also to be noted that those you see might be youngsters, hence why the smaller collar

[Continental Shooter]

if i am not mistaken with the early season open (media veda) you'll also be able to shoot doves and feral pigeons.

 

check in youtube, you'll find videos

[Bluebarrels]

Last couple of years ive been over there seen plenty look pretty much the same bird as over here to me BB

[JDog]

When I am on the Island I usually see a very good flight line just south of Alcudia heading over to the land near the nature reserve of S'Albufera.

[lampingman]

Last year I was on holiday in alcudia I woke 1 morning went on to the balcony and there was 2 groups of shooters on the pigeons a couple of fields away

[henry d]

Thanks for the replies, I also thought that the pigeon might be less feathered due to the weather.

[la bala]

i was waitng to take off from Granada airport Spain one evening, there was a flock of 500 hundred milling about over the runway, I wasnt too comfortable with it.

[kitchrat]

I have seen a slightly different type of bird in the UK too, a fraction smaller, a bit darker grey with a tiny hint of yellow or gold around the end of each feather. They still have neck rings etc so are not young birds.

I suspect they are European imports but have no evidence.

Anyone else noticed them??