Monday 30 November
Rock doves (Columba livia), also known as the feral pigeon, flock together in urban areas for a number of reasons.
Firstly, they are a predated creature and so flock in large groups to provide protection from predators such as Peregrines. This is common in the natural world, from fish in shoals to wildebeast in herds.
Then there is the opportunity it provides to train young birds to fly and to learn their locality. The older, more confident birds will tend to be at the front of the flock as they circle repeatedly, landing on the same roof.
Finally, there is the communal aspect that flocking provides. Forming bonds and roosting together on cold nights to share body warmth, preparing for the spring and the first clutches of egg lays.
A few weeks back now, I walked with my Gents Film and Leisure Club along the Suffolk coast past Minsmere and Sizewell A and B power stations. The government announced that the Sizewell C reactor has the provisional go-ahead. The perceived negative impact that this will have on the neighbouring nature reserve and rare bird habitats is of great concern. I have signed this petition.
https://e-activist.com/page/71193/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=twitter-share https://e-activist.com/page/71193/petition/1?en_chan=tw&locale=en-GB&ea.tracking.id=twitter-share&en_ref=192130181
The Bald Birder 