Fisherman Mike Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 As some of you may be aware Im a member of the BTO and have carried out several bird record surveys for resident breeding species. We are generally skilled in the art of estimating big flocks of birds like waders and the like by estimating howmany birds in a square and how many squares cover the flock But yesterday on the M5 outside gloucester heading towards Tewkesbury I saw the biggest flock of Pigeons Ive ever seen. I wouldnt like to say how many but there was more than 5000 and less than 10000. Some poor farmers rape has been getting a hammering Any local guns seen this birds. Cold weather does the trick !!! FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 HI I normally shoot around Chippenham, unless invited out with Bobby Dazzler for the day, but i have not ever seen this many pigeons to be honest. Max i see where i shoot is approx 20 if im lucky....lets hope they come my way very soon Cheers ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 they are flocked tighly here in north lincs..........................no good for shooting......... one shot......................all gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 HII normally shoot around Chippenham, unless invited out with Bobby Dazzler for the day, but i have not ever seen this many pigeons to be honest. Max i see where i shoot is approx 20 if im lucky....lets hope they come my way very soon Cheers ian There were some big flocks around Chipp yesterday. FM B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 OOH now that sounds promising...better get my backside in gear and take alook up the farm and see what movements there are..went up 3 times last week and even the Crows have reduced in numbers but it wont be long before they start nesting Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 I went out in Corsham yesterday and got 3 in the woods. 2 other guys who I was with got about 30 between them decoying on the rape. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Beasley Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 Despite the fact that we've had a lot of big flocks move in this winter, it does seem in the last week or so that even more have come from somewhere. Can we have a smily that rubs its hands together please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted February 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Despite the fact that we've had a lot of big flocks move in this winter, it does seem in the last week or so that even more have come from somewhere. Can we have a smily that rubs its hands together please I think they have always been there but the cold snap has really concentrated them. They are hitting rape fields around here in areas that they would not normally touch. In fact Ive just had a tennant farmer on the phone who farms on the Bathhurst Estate locally who is desperate for me to get out this weekend on a field that ive never seen Pigeons on. If it opens up another 10,000 acre estate then I might just enter the very lucrative world of commercial decoying on the 25,000 acres at my disposal............Can we have a smiley that rubs its hands together please and has pound signs in a bubble ( Only jesting Will Im too busy in Construction) FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Well i traveled to Southampton today via Salisbury and there were loads of Pigeons around the Salisbury area.. also went via Chippenham on the way back, not an awful lot going on, but there was Pigeon ativity just before the farm where i shoot, look like they were going onto rape i think. This could be the start of something good, i hope Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2-dead-in-the-air Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Im from the Chippenham area and I havent noticed any more pigeons than the small flock about but I will check it out tommorow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2-dead-in-the-air Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 The conditions today overcast with wind was good went out in afternoon set up decoys on rape pigeons not taking any notice decided to stand under a sitty tree and managed to bag 12 in a couple of hours. No big flocks about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 O well at least you got a few, for your afternoon out. we will have to wait and see if these large flocks will come our way, if not maybe it will be a trip up North to see what they look like Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cole890 Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 seen a big flock on the way home this afternoon, biggest i've ever seen any ways just off the M5 between cheltenham and glos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2-dead-in-the-air Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 I have been travelling from Chippenham to Pewsey this week seen a lot of small groups about, feeding on clover, berries and OSR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Boy Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 (edited) Despite the fact that we've had a lot of big flocks move in this winter, it does seem in the last week or so that even more have come from somewhere It is my guess that they have left the day roosting woods in the big estates all across southern England disturbed and thoroughly sick of the batallions of roost shooters who were unleashed earlier in the month! CB Edited February 27, 2008 by Country Boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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