Early closing and acorns ?

[Cranfield]

Only a couple of weeks ago I was able to shoot until around 6pm , but its noticeable that in the last week the birds seem to be calling it a day a bit earlier.

I have shot all three days this week and 4pm seemed to be the new cut off point, after then there was the odd bird(s) about, but the main population had headed for the woods.

Is anyone else noticing this ?

I am shooting over old barley stubbles, with some big flocks about, mostly 100-500 birds, 60% of those shot are juveniles.

Nothing on the rape yet.

 

There does seem to be some mixed comments about this year's acorn crop.

In the woods I have been in there doesn't seem to be many, if at all.

In other parts of Kent where there are large wooded areas, I am told there are no acorns.

The acorn crop usually seems to be a national all , or nothing, are there regional differences this year ?

If there are, this could well effect the pigeon distribution this Winter.

[Catamong]

No acorns here in Herts, although lots of Beech mast.

 

In previous years this scenario has lead to a very early start on the rape with good bags from late October onwards.

 

There are a few already on the rape around here, but not sure if they are only picking up the rubbish that grows up alongside the rape, will take a closer look at the weekend to see if there is any pigeon damage to the plants.

 

A lot of birds around here are feeding on berries.

 

Cat

[Maddaftspaniel]

Very few acorns up here but loads of beech mast.

 

Stood under a beech tree and shot 9 yesterday evening

[kenholland]

yep 4 o'clock seems to be about the mark cranfield , it was on sunday last, I noticed everythink just switched off. won't have the stubbles for much longer anyway. ......kenbo

[pigeon controller]

Not seen much acorns in our woods but loads of beech mast.

[Charlie_79]

im also from kent and there are not many acorns in my woods but a fair bit of beech mast

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Similar up here in North Cambs and Southern Lincs, noticably less acorns and an abundance of beechmast.

[Dr D]

Hardly a bird on the farmland here. Massive amount of beech mast this year

[Kes]

Same here - no acorns, loads of beechmast and the birds are feeding on it all the time. Being dairy up here and before the maize cut, everything is in small numbers. I would say 3.30 to 4.00pm cutoff also. The local squirrels have been pinching all the conkers - the shortage of acorns is so severe.

[pigeonslayer15]

Here in herts hardly any acorns, but they have moved on the rape already, I was out on sunday just gone and had a bag of 43 on rape

[stuy]

Same in hereford not much acorns at all, but as the others have stated lots of beechmast! And also about 4 pm cut off also ,Got huge flocks on some stubble at the moment, will give them another go tomorrow, and see what happens!