The Disappearing Wood Pigeons

[George Gray]

For many years our allotment has been plagued with wood pigeons. They will strip nearly any brassica to the ribs and will even eat peas. We have to net all brassicas all the year round. However this year they have all but disappeared. The only thing new is a number of crows have nested near the allotment. I have heard that crows take other birds eggs and even small chicks. Could this be the reason?

[peter]

Possibly, but have surrounding farmers changed what they grow?

Round here in Hertfordshire oilseed rape is covered in pigeons, to the extent that a hide is normally present in most fields for shooting.

[Colin_M]

However this year they have all but disappeared

No, they've all flown south to Bristol


Colin

[Johnboy]

Hi George,
A flock of 'Woodies' of about 500 has just alighted on the field next door to me. This field had Barley grown this year and what is attracting them at present is Chickweed they seem to love it. When they have finished here they will gravitate to a field a little further away that had Oil Seed Rape and the spillage has regenerated into quite a crop.
Strangely there seems to be more Woodies this year as normally these flocks a principally Feral Pigeons but not to the same degree this year.
JB.

[George Gray]

I live in suburban Birmingham and we have plenty of them in our back garden. The allotment is only haf a mile away so I think in this instance its unlikely they have gone feeding elsewhere.