remytherussell Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Noticed a large flock of over 100 pigeons flying over whilst shooting pheasants on Saturday. (Near Basingstoke) Was unable to ascertain where they were headed (southwesterly actually) but could be an early indication of mass feeding, hopefully. Anyone else noticed pigeons beginning to "gang up". Could be a good sign for some improved shooting. RTR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 I was roost shooting in half term. The pigeons came over in flocks of about 100. Haveing a shot would turn them away, and then in about 10 minuets another flock would come over. Weather it was the same one, I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 over the last two weeks I have noticed them in flocks of about a hundred, last week a tractor driver told me they were feeding on rape but when I turned up they had moved on. jay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remytherussell Posted November 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 All good signs that things should start picking up soon. Same every year though, quiet after the stubble until the weather gets really cold. RTR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 RTR, Your right there, I've just come back from a drive round my shooting ground and no pigeons to be seen barring ferals feeding. Lets hope its not too long before they come out of the woods after all the beech nuts have gone. I sit and look from my window and they are still turning up at A large beech nut tree in the graveyard opposite my house, 15 - 20 every day at 1400. When they stop turning up I will be out with the decoys me thinks. PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete evans Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 just come back from walking the dog through the woods. pigeons everywhere.no woodland permission so will stick to the ferreting for the moment. pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 The birds are still spead out around here, mainly feeding on beech, stubbles and uncut crop. There's still plenty of feed for them to eat before they'll hit the rape hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 they are on the rape in kent in good numbers.the other guy who shoots on the same farm as me had 48 on saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugene molloy Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Remy, In South Shropshire they are still very much stuck into the acorns and beechmast; little or no sign of them flocking up and heading for the rape. I was doggy training yesterday in the Wyre Forest, and small groups (6-12?) were buzzing around all morning. I was sorely tempted to go indoors for the gun but refrained; the wretched dog is wild enough without dropping pigeons on his bonce! BTW and totally off topic, are you French or a French speaker? I just feel that there is something in the way you construct a sentance that indicates you might be. You call tell me to shove off if you like! Eug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remytherussell Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Eugene. My owners were very into France at one stage. She sold French properties, He just drank as much wine as possible. Travelled over there regularly. When I was new they called me Remy after the very finest cognac. Can converse a little en France. Thanks for your interest. (Another PW member conversing with a dog!! Like your comments etc. Always constructive. Might be in touch on the dog training front. Getting a new mate, chocolate Cocker spaniel. Born last thursday so wont meet it until New Year. RTR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugene molloy Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Remy, Here's a link you will find helpful. I recommend the training broadsheets as a cheap and cheerful reference work. Gundog Forum If you would like the loan of a couple of videos on spaniel training drop me your postal address to MOLLOP@AOL.COM Regards, Eug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remytherussell Posted November 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Thanks for that Eugene. I'll drop you a PM after christmas when we get the dog. It,ll be about 10 weeks then, ready to start training a bit. (I,m 12 years old so he,s forgot how he trained me!! (Badly, I do my own thing mostly)) RTR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Only yesterday I stopped the car on the way to work because I could see a stream of birds leaving the overnight roost in the wooded hills near where I live. There was a steady stream of birds some 4 or 500 strong and they were too distant to identify, I thought at first they were starlings as we have a couple of big roosts near here and then perhaps field fares and redwings who also roost communually. When I picked up the bins and focussed on them in the distance I was amazed to see that it was a huge flock of woodies infact some 1000 strong. I dont know where they were headed but they did split into several distinctive groups and went all directions. The roost woods are vast but they must have been laying up in a flock. Its amazing what you see when you havent got your gun. ! FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTMS Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 FM, Same on the M23 this morning several large flocks. Could not have a good look to may floating about and dodgy drivers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beezer Posted November 21, 2004 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 Several flocks just arrived on this farm this week end. It's the same time most years in this part of s' Shropshire I hope to get after some tomorow although Ive checked my cartridges and I've got mostly 4s. Bit heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 Further to my earlier post on this subject... Have any of you ever seen that wildlife documentary of those Bats leaving their roosts in Borneo, streaming out for a couple of hours until they are all in the air. Well I sat and watched flocks and flocks of woodies leaving the wooded valleys around Stroud this morning. Not quite 3 million bats but enough!!!! :( I sat and parked the car up in a gateway on the edge of Minchinhampton and the birds came out of the woods over a good 30 mins in very large flocks before breaking up into smaller flocks 250 - 300 strong and heading out in all directions towards Bisley and Gloucester, Cirencester and Tetbury. There must have been well in excess of the 1000 birds I observed last week. probably 2 thousand plus... I have a vague idea where the main roost site is and I can see why they have chosen it because it is in deep woodland on a very steep escarpment and unless you have a team of Sherpas and some good mules virtually in accessible. I couldnt say if the birds were feeding locally but they were flying at quite an altitude and were dissapearing from the view of my Binoculars before they landed anywhere. Hope some of them are heading to my shoots in the next couple of months. FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 rough shooting in northumberland on sat, flighted a flock of woodies that was as big as I have seen for a very long time, birds lifted, went high and cleared off south? cheers K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 birds lifted, went high and cleared off south? cheers K Keep them coming Keith, everone appreciated. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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