Loads of Pigeons - 2nd Nov

[simoncurson]

With these bright sunny mornings and the onset of cold weather, there have been incredible numbers of Woodpigeons flying south. 74,000 yesterday and 81,00 today over Hengistbury.
Keep your eyes in the skies if you are up early.

Simon Curson

[davepage]

I can just imagine you standing there counting them all Simon :-) "One, two, three..."

But, interestingly enough, here in London (where I work) I saw a number of very large flocks of pigeons on the move this morning. They appear to have lost interest in hanging around the bins at the back of Burger King and now appear to be doing something more constructive.

As I'm a total ignoramus can you shed a little light on what's going on? I wasn't aware pigeons went anywhere.

Cheers
Dave

[simoncurson]

The pifgeons are Woodpigeons and they are off to the continent to escape the colder weather here and find more food over there. The town pigeons that feed around the bins behind burger king won't be going anywhere !!!
Cheers
Simon

[Si]

Hi Dave.

As Simon said 'our' Woodies don't go far at all. Most ringed Wood Pigeons are recovered less than 3 miles from where they were caught.  But northern continental Pigeons that breed up there in the summer & some of 'our' Woodies migrate to southern Europe in the winter & can pass through here on their way.  Don't know if any stay here though.

Simon Currie