Cranfield Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Its always interested me that when the Farmers leave the rape stubble (normally because they are rushing off to the cereal harvest), it doesn't take long for the spilt rape seed to start sprouting, but the pigeons seem to ignore it. However, when a rape field is "properly" seeded and the plants start showing, they are all over it like a rash. I know they have alternative food supplies at present, but we have some rape stubbles that are almost completely green with new growth and not a pigeon on them. Yet a few fields away they are hitting disced rape and wheat stubbles very hard indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 I think OSR is survival food , a last resort when all the stubble has gone and spring drillings have not started. The pigeons in my area eat beechmast and acorns , ivy berries before they touch winter rape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 I agree - volunteer OSR is rarely touched by the birds here, much to my annoyance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaveToShoot Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Last year I was lucky enough to shoot a good bag on harvested winter rape as there is not much rape here. The field sat for about a month after harvest before being sown again. They were on it as soon as it was harvested for about 1 1/2 weeks. It then died a death and couldnt understand it because there were all these nice wee green shoots coming up. The next week I shot a few in a neighbouring barley field and the crops were full of beechnuts. How tall does the winter rape have to get before the birds stop feeding on it or have any interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 As long as there fresh leaves I have seen pigeons feeding on the lower leaves of 3 foot high rape in flower. But its best when its short or with bare pstches in the field. Once the seed has been eaten or has sprouted the pigeons do not want to know rape stubbles on my farms. Usualy they do not touch frest sown rape fields until after christmas , but last year they were on them by October as there were almost no acorns. The acorn crop looks poor again this year so it looks as the birds may hit the rape early again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.