Are wood pigeons getting tamer ?

[anser2]

In reference to another thread on wood pigeons using gardens by Cranfield yesterday on the usage of wood pigeon in garden habitats.

 

When I was a kid in the 1960s a wood pigeon was a rare sight in a country garden , but you did get a few in city gardens. Over the past decade the number of wood pigeons using gardens has risen sharply. Have they only just discovered bird tables and conifer hedges to nest in or is there some other reason for them to feel safe in gardens. I have 2 pairs in my tiny garden breeding and they are very tame letting me get to within 20 feet of them before flying off.

 

Interestingly my local pink feet are also becoming quite tame on local bird reserves and today they are quite tolerant of disturbance when feeding on the sugar beet fields of Norfolk. There are very few geese shot inland in my area as most of the big landowners have just a couple of goose shoots a season and leave the geese alone for the remainder of the season. Even on the saltmarsh shooting pressure is low and I am frequently the only gun out on the marsh even on a Saterday morning and in responce the pinks are often well within gunshot , even on still mornings.

 

Going back to the 1960s and 70s almost all the village farm workers had a gun along with a lot of the teenagers. The chance of potting a few pigeons was not to be missed and every weekend and holidays someone would be chasing them and they were super wary to say the least. If ever one came into the garden it fled at the sight of a human. Today the majority of village teenagers prefer to spend their time on their computers and far fewer adults are out shooting them. I am the only regular decoyer on my local estate. When it comes to roost shooting we are all bemoaning there fewer and fewer people out shooting the birds and keeping them on the move during the late winter shoots.

 

I strongly suspect its lack of shooting pressure that has allowed the wood pigeon to become much tamer and thus able to exploit our gardens.

[ferretman]

i no wot you mean mate my grandad says the same. i used to have a pet woody use to go everywere with me wen i was a lad lol :blink:

[Blackpowder]

Certainly anser 2 I am seeing more pigeons on rooftops and in urban situations then I ever did in the past. See my other post re woodpigeon nesting indoors, this pair were making the usual courtship sounds on the nest site while I was banging and hammering away outside within 10 yards of them.

 

Blackpowder

[lurcherboy]

I don't know how or why they feel secure in a garden but just you try walking near a field when they are feeding.

 

 

 

 

 

LB

[Blackpowder]

Doubtless you have seen the situation Lb where you try and sneak up on a pigeon while roost shooting, no joy its off. Now see one drop into a thick fir tree, clap your hands , stamp your feet shout and bawl. It wont move.

 

Blackpowder