Day 1 – Woodpigeon

Today was supposed to be a start with great intentions. Unfortunately New Year’s Eve put paid to it. Not through drink but rather I currently work behind a bar that didn’t close until 02:00am, I didn’t get home until 02:45 so I got up far too late for my intended New Year’s Day walk which would have been an attempt to do the New Year’s Plant Hunt; this will now be done tomorrow. So I had intended to start right out of my comfort zone and write about a plant. But no. Birds it is, a safe territory for me. Although my first bird of 2020 was a singing Robin at 02:40am on my way home from work my first bird seen of the day was a humble Woodpigeon. So that will be species 1. I will explain the technical details listed below (like the random name and date after the species name for example) on a later post.

What: Woodpigeon (or Wood Pigeon) Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758

When: Seen 1st January 2020. Recorded using eBird.

Where: In my garden, Poynton, Cheshire, UK

Who saw it: Me

Is it larger than a blackbird? (My size measuring stick, similar to the ‘size of Wales’ or ‘Olympic sized swimming pool’ pointless size yardsticks) Yes it is.

What is it: One of the most common birds in the UK, certainly the most common pigeon species outside cities and can flock to huge numbers in some areas. Are seen as a pest to crops in agricultural areas where they eat seeds in huge quantities. Anyone with a garden bird feeder will know how much seed they can consume! (My dad hates them, he would rather have less fat prettier birds devouring seeds!). Only 3 in my garden this morning though.

Fact I have learned about this species: Can be legally shot in the UK at anytime of the year.

Is it charismatic in my opinion? Going to be harsh and say no. The best feature of them is the white stripe on the wings, making them easy to identify in flight. Otherwise they’re pretty bumbling, lazy birds (they’re nests are pathetic!)