Birds that flock together make a big dent in farm crops

THERE’S a reason we talk about a flock of birds. Even though some species are solitary – particularly birds of prey – many gather together.

Corvids, particularly rooks, gather in large numbers to nest together and many rookeries, including one here in the village, have been occupied by successive generations for decades, perhaps centuries.

Woodpigeons are another bird that like to get together, particularly to feed. It’s one reason that the pigeon is often named, alongside the rabbit, as one of the major agricultural pests in the British Isles.

There has been some debate in recent years about whether describing any bird or animal as a pest is helpful. Yet whatever we call them, woodpigeons are top of the class when it comes to finding and devouring a crop.

That’s one reason they are classified by law as a quarry species to be controlled, generally by shooting, and at this time of the year cereal crops come under particular pressure.

Laid barley – where patches have been flattened by wind and rain – can be a major target for pigeons. And as numbers build so more and more passing pigeons are attracted in for a meal.

Driving home the other day I passed a field of barley and noticed dozens of woodpigeons perched on wires above a field. More were pouring in, dropping down and helping themselves to the crop.

In some areas numbers can build up into the hundreds. Damage can also be significant during spring time, when newly sown crops can come under attack.

The law says that anyone shooting pigeons must do so only to protect crops – and must have satisfied themselves non-lethal methods won’t work first.

Woodpigeons are another bird that like to get together, particularly to feed