Study backs shooting woodpigeon

A new study commissioned by the Horticultural Development Council has found that regular shooting is one of the best methods of controlling woodpigeon on brassica crops. The study, reported in the April issue of the British Trust for Ornithology’s monthly newsletter, BTO News, aimed to identify information on the economic impact and locations of damage caused by woodpigeon to brassica crops, as well as assess options available to growers to control and scare the pest bird populations.

The report admitted that: Human disturbance seems to be consistently successful at removing woodpigeon, particularly when complemented with shooting. Use of other techniques, such as gas cannons, may be more successful, especially if their effect is reinforced by shooting. Using BTO and RSPB data, the woodpigeon breeding population is estimated at 8.2million birds. Together with rabbits they are considered one of the most destructive brassica pests.

The rest of this article appears in 3 April issue of Shooting Times.

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