BS: Common Wood Pigeon

Subject: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 06:14 AM

At the back of our garden, the neighbour has a Green Leylandii tree about the size in this picture

http://leylandii.com/Information/green-leylandii.html

It is about the height of the house.

It isn't a problem as it does not block out any light and looks nice against the neighbours building.

The problem I have is that wood pigeon's are nesting there each year. our estate was built on existing farming land (the area is pretty rural).

We only have a small back garden and they are making our garden a mess (but not our neighbours). Whilst it is nice to see them building their nest, mating and seeing the young in our garden and learning to fly etc, it is getting beyond a joke.

Is there any way legally, we can do anything to discourage or stop them from breeding there. It was probably fine, whilst it was farmland, but not so nice in what is now a new housing estate.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 06:23 AM

From my very rural POV where we just rent a bit of farmland , I'd say just love them... but that probably does not help you.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: theleveller
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 06:38 AM

Wood pigeon are delicious - had half a dozen last weekend in a casserole.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 06:40 AM

Cats are still legal, aren't they - at least for now? ;>)

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 06:41 AM

I think many our way go that way, leveller...

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,cs
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 07:08 AM

I believe you are legally entitled to cut back the branches from neighbours trees which overhang into your side of the boundry. Not a particularly pretty solution of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 07:56 AM

I would leave them be myself. My father lives on a private housing estate where once upon a time it was rural. Now the area is established he finds quite an array of birds in his garden Wood Pigeons, Doves and he even had a Jay in his garden. I think in time they know where to go where they will be welcome and learn where it is safer. Infact the Magpies and the Wood Pigeons accept each other in his garden but he does keep his eye on the odd bullying Magpie.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,cs
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 08:01 AM

'I would leave them be myself.'

So would I, but new estates with their postage stamp gardens attract tidy people. I used to live on one myself, never again ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 08:19 AM

We get Jays, patsy. They seem to love peanuts. Magpies also come to the bird feeders. I'm not going to agree with all they do as I think it was one of them that took blackbird chicks this year. No cat would have got there from above leaving the nest undisturbed...

Thee days I think it is often a case of let nature be for reasons at times I do not understand but enjoy what you see or hear. There is a treecreeper around again and I think a little woodpecker. For hearing, play games with a tawny owl - you can whooo whoo back and forth and they can come close.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 08:29 AM

"Wood pigeon are delicious - had half a dozen last weekend in a casserole"

Sounds smashing the leveller.

The trouble is, that they have taken a liking to sitting on my daughters beloved swing and crapping all over it. Consequently she hardly uses it now.

Maybe I could put barb wire on the top of the swing and along the top of the fencing.

Is that allowed?

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 09:07 AM

This is the downside, the birds perch on the adjoining fence between my father's garden and his neighbour's and unfortunately they do leave a mess which I don't think they were too happy about...

The tawny owl sounds fasinating and must be wonderful to watch. When we were living on the Isle of Wight my father used to get a Woodpecker in his garden which I don't see here in Bristol even in the rurally parts.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 09:21 AM

Just try it next time you hear a tawny, Patsy. They will get interested and investigate.

Best owl experience I remember was a barn owl though, Mum was lost and dithering in the car and this thing just overtook us!

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 09:25 AM

http://www.elgeeco.co.uk/wpigeon.html

Trouble is they're wily things and catching them isn't easy.

Good luck - I'll let you know what mine taste like when I've caught them.

Paws

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: bubblyrat
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 09:32 AM

It is perfectly legal to shoot Wood Pigeons ( as opposed to Wood Pigeon's, whatever they may be), although you would have to be mindful of the distance from a main road, if using a shotgun ; a "Pedretti" fully -moderated (silenced) .410, 3 inch Magnum is MOST effective,in my personal experience.Or you could use an air rifle, of course.Jays too,are legitimate quarry, and as for Grey Squirrels, well .....!!!
          Want me to do it for you ??

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 09:36 AM

Nice one Wolfhound.

If I catch them, do you think I can sell them at the local market?

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 09:38 AM

Yes Bubblyrat if you are in the UK :-)

Can you do the cats as well. The Chinese might be interested in them :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 11:14 AM

Don't tell me it's just like chicken.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 11:34 AM

I'd not personally eat one now and only really go for chicken or turkey breast (on the odd occasions I eat birds), Patsy but it tastes quite different to chicken. Darker and richer in taste. To casserole as leveller said is a good way.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 11:39 AM

I'd be tempted to shoot and eat them, too. And pan-fried on a bed of leaves with a balsamic reduction is even nicer than casserole - they have very little fat on them and dry out pretty easily, so quick cooking works well.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 11:52 AM

They're bad if they take a liking to your overwintering broccoli and cabbages. Eat half and crap on the rest, that's their policy. A cat would help, as would a fox or two. But we're not supposed to encourage them, are we? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Jion
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 11:59 AM

Totally OT but Ruth, Pip your daughter could be my mother, she got that name as granddad Norwich could not cope with his daughter and his son's husband both being Elizabeth... If Pip (mum) is 75, wonder how old that would make you... I don't listen but mum/Pip has possibly since it first started.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 12:01 PM

Steve, on that, we just net/cage.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: theleveller
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 12:06 PM

Likewise.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 01:11 PM

At least it's only the birds you have to worry about

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 01:24 PM

Bill, not quite getting the bird connection but leylandi IMO is awful. Can be grown as a quick cover but can rapidly get out of control.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 01:30 PM

I beleive they are the scourge of farmers. Is that right?

I have had pidgeon, from a local and I have to say in a stew (slow cvooker) it was lovely. Just have to watch out for the shot and yer fillings :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Crowhugger
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 03:38 PM

To remedy 'ordinary' pigeon problems in southern Ontario cities, those who don't like the look of netting off the perches sometimes rig a fine wire pulled taut 1" or 2" directly above and parallel to the main perches. If it's a wide perch such as a 2x4 laid flat to top off fence posts, you may find you need to run 2 wires, 1 above each edge.

Most birds, including pigeons, aren't able to use the wire for roosting and there won't be space for the birds between the perch and the wire. The birds soon rework their roosting routine in favour of more comfortable options. If you're lucky, they'll choose new perches on & over your neighbour's outdoor space. Anyway as long as they aren't on/over yours any more... The main risks to this method are (1) instead of moving away, the pigeons do find new perches that still soil *your* space; (2) your swing set frame, fences, roosting branches overhanging your yard etc etc may become unattractive, depending on how the rigging is done; (3) it ruins the perches for nearly all birds.

This method is of limited use when kids also use the swing set frame as monkey bars.

Assuming this problem will recur every year and that maintaining such rigging will be no fun, I would research how to create an alternative roosting pattern by judicious planting of suitable trees or shrubs. How this species of pigeons feeds and flees will determine what species and distances to try. Local flock characteristics may not match precisely the available research so you may need to try more than once.

It's never easy to blend human requirements seamlessly into nature's way, but don't give up. As for legality, those solutions are legal in my city, though in a condo situation it would require the co-operation of the board to plant on shared property; your local pest control companies may be able to point you to the appropriate government departments governing such things.

Best of luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 03:43 PM

Very informative Crowhugger and thanks for taking the time for posting.

I think I will have a chat with the neighbour and see if we can find a solution.

After all I don't want to do anything about the leylandii. Just the wood pigeon's or should it be pigeons :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Crowhugger
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 05:15 PM

My pleasure, Arthur_itus. There's nothing like a little vicarious problem solving on a rainy November day :-) ...I haven't the energy to de-mud the dogs so we aren't having our usual woodland walk today, which frees up a little Mudcat time.

I guess I mostly wanted to reframe the issue as it appeared to me: That the leylandii isn't the problem, nor is the nest per se the problem. To me the root cause is that your property contains the best roosting options for what nests in the leylandii and perhaps others of that species nesting nearby. It also makes sense to address what you actually control, which includes your yard but excludes the birds (except indirectly) and the leylandii.

Anyhow, my line of thought is that even if one does remove the offending birds, others will soon adopt the vacant nesting spot. If your neighbour removes the good nesting spot (the leylandii) but your yard's excellent roosts remain the best option around, I expect the birds will find somewhere else to nest and will still enjoy the roosts in your yard on their feeding flights, if not so much for fledging their young. That's why I suggested providing other & better roosts by first researching what those might be.

Just curious: Is the common wood pigeon a year-round bird in your area? Does it normally vacate the nest once the young have fledged? Is that true for your neighbour's nesting pair?

Keep us posted. Perhaps bear in mind when talking to your neighbours that they, as far as I can tell from your posts, do not have a problem from their point of view, and may not care enough about your problem to do much of anything. Neighbours can be the most unpredictable of all species!

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 05:22 PM

They come back every year

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Crowhugger
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 09:39 PM

Just wondering how a solution is coming along, A.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: EBarnacle
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 01:26 AM

According to my son's babysitter, who grew up in the favelas of Rio, all small colorful birds do taste like chicken. Very often the difference between having meat for dinner or not was her slingshot.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 03:57 AM

It isn't at the moment

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 06:12 AM

Little birdie, flying high,
Dropped a message, out of the sky;
"Ooh," said the farmer, wiping his eye -
"It's a jolly good thing my cows don't fly!" (E. trad. , I think).

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 08:12 AM

Be careful. In the Pacific (Polynesian) islands the wood pigeon is special because that was the form used by the demigod Maui. I'm sure it isn't the same species but I thought I'd give you fair warning.

I just learned this, by the way, in my fancy book learning at University of Guam! Ain't knowledge fun?

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 10:04 AM

google pigeon spikes... strips with long thin spikes coming out the top.

http://www.pestcontroldirect.co.uk/acatalog/Spikes_in_Polycarbonate__2_point_.html

too lazy to make clicky

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: EBarnacle
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 10:08 AM

VT, it would be very hard on children's butts.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Slag
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 04:44 PM

In some places here in almost sunny California farmers use carbide canons that periodically explode a small amount of acetylene gas with a quite loud and resounding BANG ! It can be heard for miles away and the little birdies do take wing. Of course your neighbors may have some comment on this but at least you would then be able to noise about the problem of pigeons and perhaps persuade your shell-shocked neighbors to remove the tree.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 04:48 PM

Thats a good idea Slag :-)

Wait till the neighbour is by the tree and let it go.

I like those spikes VT, but my neighbours might complain.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: banjoman
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 07:16 AM

There is nothing "Common" about the Wood Pigeon. Leave them alone or cut the tree down.
My neighbour had loads of complaints about the pigeons he kept in his garden. One day out of frustration he loaded them all in a basket and drove about 20 miles into the countryside and released them. Imagine the laughter from the neighbours when he found that they got home before he did

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arnie
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 07:39 AM

Wood pigeons appear in my garden every spring just when the cherry blossom is about to burst forth on my trees. The winged scavengers proceed to eat as many buds as they can before the buds develop into leaves and blossom. As a consequence, my cherry trees have many bald spots amongst both the blossom and the leaves. There's a pair of peregrines visit the cliffs, but I can't convince them to patrol my garden!

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 11:13 AM

I'm not sure if the pigeons here in Lower Coke are common, but I imagine so: most of the people are. The pigeons just love the crops in the adjoining farm fields, and stuff themselves until they need a long run up to be able to lumber into the air (after a bit of a run up) with all the grace of a swan - and if you don't know a swan is as ungainly anything I have ever seen when it is in the stage of being between water and air. As a result they are the size of Dornier bombers - and the payload is about the same.

If using an air rifle first remember that the higher powered ones available these days are almost as heavily regulated as rifles in terms of storage and use and lawfulness of discharge etc etc, and second, remember that what goes up also comes down and this applies to an airgun pellet too when you miss. Not clever in a housing estate. If you want to eat pigeon pie, put seed on the ground and lean out of an upstairs window and shoot downwards.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 12:24 PM

"If you want to eat pigeon pie, put seed on the ground and lean out of an upstairs window and shoot downwards."

Is that allowed by law Richard?

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Slag
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 04:16 PM

Here in CA, if it is a game bird (and Mountain Pigeons are), the take is regulated by both Federal and State Fish & Game laws and putting out seed is a definite no-no. They will take your gun, suspend your hunting license and fine you for the first offense.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 04:50 PM

I have met a few game birds in my time, but they weren't pigeons, even if I called them "my little pigeon" :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 05:31 PM

I think, Arthur, that if you are using an air rifle on your own land (the sort that does not need licensing) and you are not firing across a right of way, yes - but you should check with someone who does gun law.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 05:56 PM

OK will do Richard.
I would be firing at the wall of my neighbour who is at the end of my Garden.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Slag
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 01:37 AM

Don't miss, Arthur itus. Serious implications.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 02:42 AM

Which rubbish bin would you put them in, black, blue or green?

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:41 AM

Arthur - I think you have misconstrued me. Put attractant on ground (hunting licence not I think relevant in own garden in UK - indeed some pigeons, not sure which ones, are officially classified as vermin as far as I know) to get birds on ground then shoot down from upstairs window so that pellets go into your ground not neighbour's fence or wall (or passing child's eyeball).

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:44 AM

Cut and paste follows

"All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. However, 12 species are recognised by DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) as nuisance birds. These species can be controlled and destroyed by humane methods under DEFRA General Licence.

Nuisance birds include: feral pigeons, woodpigeons, seagulls and canada geese."

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:49 AM

More: -

"it is an offence to discharge an airgun, within 50 feet of the centre of any highway. This includes roads, bridle-paths, public footpaths and even your garden should it fall with in that 50 meter radious. The offence is complete if a member of the public is injured, endangered or even just alarmed by the incident."

"The pellet must not leave your property" - not so confident of the source for this one.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:52 AM

http://www.shootwatch.co.uk/vermin.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:56 AM

http://f4bscale.worldonline.co.uk/quarry.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:58 AM

more airgun law

I think that covers most points.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 05:09 AM

I have been told that an airgun is no use against wood pigeons.

Since I have a public road one side of my garden and a right of way the other, that stuffs the firearms option totally, even if I wanted to take out a licence (which I don't)

Taking up archery won't help: hunting bow and arrow is illegal in the UK, dammit.

So traps and netting are the only option. I had a flock of 200 of the damn things in the field opposite a few days ago.

I wouldn't bother about them but I do want to grow Brassicas!

Paws

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 05:21 AM

Thanks for all that Richard. I did understand what you had said.

However, nobody has said if you put em in the black, blue or green rubbish bins.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Slag
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 05:35 AM

My heart goes out to you folks in the UK. You don't have a fighting chance should tyranny and further oppression come down on you. But that is thread drift. If your little pop gun is accurate and you are a deadeye shot, any head shot should do the trick. Hey, do they let you have bows and arrows over there? Wrist rockets? Slingshots?

If not you can frame a greehouse from PVC pipe and put in raised beds. Do they let you have PVC pipe? Glue? Sharp objects of any kind? Maybe you can get an MP to come and talk the birds to death.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Martin Harwood
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 05:48 AM

You could try one of these hawk kites or take up falconry.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Big Phil
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 02:00 PM

Wolfhound person,

Who told you an air gun is no use for woodies is talking out of their Ar5e. In the back garden, it is the ideal weapon for them, and no licence required. Just do not shoot over your boundry fence, the coppers would not like it. Other than that, shoot away if the birds are a problem.

With regards to this thread, the finest way not to have woodies in your garden is not to buy a house in the Country - end of.

Phil*

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 11:25 PM

Slag - I appreciate your sentiment, particularly as my feeling that the only politician who does not lie is a dead one grows daily, but in 1792 (ish) the US army walked all over quite a sizeable local resistance to central government (the whisky tax rebellion), and in those days there was no huge disparity between the projectile firearms available to the respective protagonists. Anyone in the USA who thinks that even collectors of assault rifles and maybe rockets and tanks stand an earthly chance against the government and industrial-military-complex that invented "shock and awe" (if they got serious) is a total fantasist.

Conversely, the theoretical unavailability of weapons parity is no bar to the success of guerilla terrorists with sufficient mass support (unless the central government is prepared to sanction massive collateral damage, which the UK government was not but, it seems, many third world governments are) as the history of Ireland proves.

Subject: RE: BS: Common Wood Pigeon
From: Slag
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 12:59 AM

Ah, the reason the rebellion didn't succeed was, they was all drunk and couldn't shoot straight! Otherwise, we'd been a whole sight better off today!

I kinda thought everyone would pick up on the fact that I only made the jibe in fun. We've got firearm threads a plenty, pros, cons and Procyons (to the stars!). No drift. Absurdity speaks for itself.