Pigeon predation

[Tiny Clanger]

For the first time ever in years of being at the site, our French Climbing Beans have been completely destroyed  by pigeons. It's not slugs, the Flying Rats have been spotted doing it. They've never bothered with beans before, just going after peas and brassica -   and it's only the French one destroyed. Runner beans are unt9uched. This has happened to every plot growing French beans.  We have 3 Feral cats on site but they're happy with rats and mice. Only one pigeon taken.

Has anyone else had this problem this season? Is it possibly because we are all netting peas and brassicas?

[Tiny Clanger]

[Obelixx]

Very likley a result of netting their usual targets. 

At least they have good taste.  I'm not that keen on French beans but can't stand runners.

Have you tried flying a sparrowhawk-like effigy on a bendy pole so it moves in teh wind?  That might scare them.

[Tiny Clanger]

Hi Obelixx, I think you're  right about the other crops being netted. We all do!  Husband is really upset. Hawks don't work. Every other plot has a fake raptor of some shape ir description. They dont work for us. We had an owl. The pigeons were wary for a couple of days. By the end of the week they were roosting next to it and the magpies were offering it food - only joking. I've enough seed to replant, hope it's not too late. I usually sow in modules and plant out. I'll try planting direct - and netting! 🤣🤣🤣

[Obelixx]

Good luck!  And watch out for the slimesters too.

[Tiny Clanger]

Thanks Obelixx, we go round regularly and I've used nematodes this year for the first time. No too much damage at the plot, but I forgot my home garden. All the sunflowers have been taken. I've put a few more in, but I won't see the glorious 12 foot plus specimens I've  had in past years. A good season and harvest to you and yours x

[Vinlander]

The main predator of pigeons on our site is foxes - we do have a few cats so they can co-habit.

But we have so many foxes that they are pretty hungry - but sadly not hungry enough to take rats - which are presumably much more likely to fight back.

If your plot is in the country you probably have a lot less foxes then we do - hardly anyone in the cities has a shotgun and the foxes definitely know it - I would go further and say they wouldn't be bothered by city shotguns anyway because most of them are only used to rob post offices.

We do get the occasional kite or hawk but the crows tend to mob them, presumably to protect their carrion supplies - as they don't seem to bother the flying rats - sadly.

We even had a visit from a very beautiful and rare swallowtail hawk (we did report it to the RSPB) but despite its size the crows saw it off.

Cheers.