local wildlife (fur,feathers and beasties)

[eggsarascal]

This little fella just flew in.

[spudulike]

2 hours ago, eggsarascal said:

This little fella just flew in.

B&W Zeppelin......the little fella has good taste, were you playing the birdie song???

[eggsarascal]

15 minutes ago, spudulike said:

B&W Zeppelin......the little fella has good taste, were you playing the birdie song???

Good spot, I was sitting here in silence contemplating whether the fecking estate agent is trying to rip me off over a cottage I'm trying to buy.

[Sutton]

Anyone able to explain this wood pigeon behaviour?

 

As well as woodland work, we keep livestock. This dry weather means wildlife are drinking from the water troughs which is fine. Except the pigeons behave like kiddies with aerosols tagging their graffiti shite 🤣

 

Here's what happens. A pair will fly in, perch on the edge of the trough, drink, then turn round and poo in it! Everytime! Everyday! For Pete's sake why? 🤣

[Stubby]

1 minute ago, Sutton said:

Anyone able to explain this wood pigeon behaviour?

 

As well as woodland work, we keep livestock. This dry weather means wildlife are drinking from the water troughs which is fine. Except the pigeons behave like kiddies with aerosols tagging their graffiti shite 🤣

 

Here's what happens. A pair will fly in, perch on the edge of the trough, drink, then turn round and poo in it! Everytime! Everyday! For Pete's sake why? 🤣

Dunnow ! Explain this . Walking in wood land or around the wooded headland of a field spot " woodie " sitting in a tree . Walk up to said tree . Walk past said tree . 10 / 20 paces past " woodie " panics and flies off .

[Macpherson]

3 minutes ago, Stubby said:

Dunnow ! Explain this . Walking in wood land or around the wooded headland of a field spot " woodie " sitting in a tree . Walk up to said tree . Walk past said tree . 10 / 20 paces past " woodie " panics and flies off .

 

😁 wind direction.. the Woody was sleepin and only woke up when he got a whiff of ya 👍

 

Joking aside, they're the flightiest birds around here probably due to being so tasty.. I'd say the Robin's the bravest bird in my garden but not much eating in them, cheers.

[spudulike]

Wood pigeons are a bit thick and inherently lazy....that's it! 

[ABtrees]

42 minutes ago, Stubby said:

Dunnow ! Explain this . Walking in wood land or around the wooded headland of a field spot " woodie " sitting in a tree . Walk up to said tree . Walk past said tree . 10 / 20 paces past " woodie " panics and flies off .

 

Not sure if it's applicable in this case but the old bloke that taught me to shoot (mainly woodpigeon) when I was young always maintained that woodys never look down !  I have put this to the test on numerous occasions.  Go and stand under a tree that you know they often fly to.  If you see one flying in don't move and sure enough it will come in and land.  You can look up at it and it won't fly off but as soon as you step out from under the tree it will clatter away super fast.  Try it - summer or winter - it still works - so it's not that it can't see you it's just that (maybe) it doesn't recognise from above !

[Doug Tait]

I've read before that a lot of birds poo just before flight as they relax certain muscles in preparation for take off. There was a theory that it lowers bodyweight a bit to assist.

 

I also recall that when Pigeons or other birds seem to "play chicken" on the road with vehicles it's because their brain doesn't register moving pictures, they see a series of freeze frames that mean it takes them ages to work out the car is getting closer, but is very helpful for finding food.

 

On a different animal, I often notice sheep synchronised pooing/peeing at the point they anticipate running, have wondered if this is an evolutionary preparation for flight?

[Stubby]

9 hours ago, ABtrees said:

 

Not sure if it's applicable in this case but the old bloke that taught me to shoot (mainly woodpigeon) when I was young always maintained that woodys never look down !  I have put this to the test on numerous occasions.  Go and stand under a tree that you know they often fly to.  If you see one flying in don't move and sure enough it will come in and land.  You can look up at it and it won't fly off but as soon as you step out from under the tree it will clatter away super fast.  Try it - summer or winter - it still works - so it's not that it can't see you it's just that (maybe) it doesn't recognise from above !

I would have to politely contest this theory . I think they can look down . They see a pattern of " deeks " and in they come .  Its the sudden sight of your white face that alarms them . I have watched birds on a flight line happily progressing along and immediately you tilt your head up they jink to left or right .