Pigeon migration/Young birds

[henry d]

I was very interested in a previous topic about a larger than normal amount of young birds being shot.I have noticed that in central Scotland over the last 5-6weeks there have been more young birds shot at the partridge shoots I attend and not just a gradual increase around 6:1 ratio of squabs to old.When I used to shoot in the Neuk of Fife we used to get big influxes of woodcock and woodpigeon throughout the full moon period,although this was November/December and the number of young to old was a lot less maybe 1:4or5 squabs to old.Perhaps anyone living on the east coast/east anglia may be seeing a trend?I always thought it was scandinavian birds overwintering here( :blink: what a lovely thought!!!)and it could be the first groups are youngsters with a few old stagers who know what happens if you try to cross a line of humans standing in a field,Hence lots of young doos not many old `uns.Let me know what you think!(Neuk of Fife is the bit that sticks out into the north sea,not a 3rd division footy team )CHEERS

[Cranfield]

It seems that every year there are reports of more young pigeons (often earlier as well), than in previous years.

I don't think the pigeon population is declining, but I doubt it is growing so dramatically, that we are noticing it.

 

With regard to pigeons from the Continent coming to England for the Winter, this is another old chesnut that gets kicked around every now and then.

I don't believe they do, why would they ?

Our Winters are not better/milder than the near Continent Countries.

Shouldn't they be going somewhere warmer, where the food is more plentiful ?

 

I do remember photographs appearing in the newspapers of large flocks of pigeons allegedly flying over the shoreline at Dover, supposedly from France.

It turned out the birds were photographed flying over the Thames Estuary, from Kent to Essex. :blink:

 

I would love to see irrefutable proof that they do migrate to England, at least it would show they had some sense.

[henry d]

Our beloved French and Spanish neighbours spend much time and moolah shooting,decoying(not our type but using live birds)and trapping migrating woodpigeon.As for near continent not being cold you`s fooling your self it`s cold enough over there for brass monkeys to migrate before some thing nasty happens! :blink:

[Fisherman Mike]

I know the birds do migrate when the weather is very inclement over there particularly parts of Scandanavia, I myself witnessed a flock some 5 to 7 thousand strong off shore of Whitby while on a fishing trip in 88 and they certainly werent the NEHU release form Cherbourg.

 

I dont think the population is in decline either, but Geographical strongholds are definately Changing. I can remember shooting in Will Bs area back in the mid 70,s when there were Pigeons everywhere in large numbers... However the birds were concentrated because the winter feed was less... There was say 1000 birds per 100 acres of rape, whilst now it is 1000 per million.

 

The birds should be renamed Palumbus Domesticus because thier stronghold is now Towns, Parks and gardens. My best shooting in recent years has been 1 mile from the local town centre. The mild winters mean the birds dont need to flock up in such large numbers to go inordinate distances looking for food, its now everywhere....

 

FM.