Rock Dove of Britain and Ireland

The Rock Dove, Columba livia , is world-famous as the ancestor of the domestic pigeon. There is only a small population of Rock Doves in Britain and Ireland. Wild populations are found in some remote areas of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. They are also known Rock Pigeons.

Domesticated forms of Rock Doves became known as pigeons. Some domesticated pigeons escaped into the wild and bred with their cousins, Rock Doves. 

Their descendants are known as Feral Pigeons, Columba livia domestica, and are familiar birds in towns and cities across Britain, Ireland and Europe.

Interbreeding between Rock Doves and Feral Pigeons has made assessing the two populations difficult. Birdlife charities have classified both species as the Feral Pigeon population. The Feral Pigeon population has been declining in some areas of Britain in recent years.

Rock Doves are smaller than their cousins, the Woodpigeons. Adults are blue-grey with dark bars on the wings. There is an iridescent sheen on the sides of the neck. Juveniles resemble adults but lack markings on their necks.

Some Feral Pigeons resemble Rock Doves although their colours vary considerably from greys to browns.

Adult Rock Doves and Feral Pigeons begin breeding when they are 1 year old. 

The average lifespan of wild Rock Doves is between 3 and 5 years although some live for 8 years.

Rock Doves are sociable birds who live and breed on the sides of remote mountain faces, inland cliffs and sea cliffs, often where there are caves. They are shy birds who are wary of people.

Feral Pigeons are tame birds who congregate around buildings in towns and cities, possibly because man-made structures resemble mountains and cliffs.

Some live and breed in rural districts such as farmland, the countryside and coastal areas. They generally avoid higher ground.

The main diet of Rock Doves is a wide variety of seeds and cereals.

Typical cereals eaten include wheat, barley and oats. The seeds of wild plants such as wild radish, shepherd's purse, dock and buttercups are commonly consumed. The fruits of wild herbs are another source of nourishment.

Feral Pigeons scavenge for a wide variety of human food such as bread as well as grain and plant material in towns and cities.

Feral Pigeons are now found in most lowland areas of Britain and Ireland. 

“It is now clear that Feral Pigeons are almost ubiquitous in the UK, nesting in rural as well as urban habitats, and avoiding only the highest ground “No distinction can realistically be drawn between feral birds of domestic origin and true wild-type Rock Doves, although birds of wild-type plumage still predominate on some more-remote Scottish islands” [ BTO – species – please see below).

Wild Rock Doves are resident birds who rarely move far from the areas where they were hatched. Pairs remain on their territories throughout the year. Young birds may disperse further to new areas.

Pure Rock Doves breed in isolated areas in “the far north-west of Scotland, including the islands, and those in the south and west of Ireland may still be pure Rock Doves” [RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds).

Scottish Rock Doves found on the Inner and Outer Hebrides and parts of the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Irish Rock Doves live and breed in Counties Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Cork. 

Ornithologists are worried about the appearance of 30 domesticated pigeons on the island of Inishbofin and the effects they may have on the wild flock of Rock Doves in the area [Irish Times - https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/another-life-close-call-for-our-last-few-rock-doves-wild-originals-of-the-west-coast-1.1975805 ).

There is no breeding season for either Rock Doves or Feral Pigeons as the eggs are laid anytime during the year. However, most pairs raise their young in the spring and autumn.

Pairs of Wild Rock Doves nest in colonies in the semi-darkness of rock and cliff edges in caves. Feral Pigeons use the cavities of building as nest sites. 

The nest is an untidy construction of local plants such as grasses, heather and seaweed. 

Two eggs are laid in each clutch and hatch after 17 days. The young learn to fly after between 35 and 37 days Both parents care for the young and may raise 5 or more clutches a year.

“Sheltered nest sites protect the young pigeons, or squabs, from the cold. They are fed by their parents on a nutritious secretion from their crop-lining known as “pigeon milk”. While not all feral pigeons nest in winter, around 25% do” 

[BBC - http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141203-love-in-a-cold-climate ).

The Rock Dove is classified as of Least Concern by IUCN.

The European population of Rock Doves is estimated to be between 11,000 and 22,000 pairs. The global and European populations are decreasing.

The Rock Dove is a green-listed bird in Britain and Ireland. 

The RSPB estimated the population of pure Rock Doves in Scotland as between 1000 and 5000 pairs.

The British Trust for Ornithology said, “Feral Pigeons may be on an upward trajectory, like the other Columba species in the UK”. However, there has been a decline in the English Feral Pigeon population in recent years.

“Recent studies in Europe have suggested that food shortages may affect productivity and that pigeon densities could be reduced where people provide less food for them”.

“It is possible that changes to food availability in urban areas may have affected this species in the UK; for example, pigeon feeding is now banned in Trafalgar Square in London. However, no studies have been carried out in the UK.” [BTO – Species: https://app.bto.org/birdtrends/species.jsp?year=2018&s=ferpi ).

Feral Pigeons are one of the main prey of the growing population of Peregrine Falcons in towns and cities in recent years.

The greatest threat to Rock Doves in Britain, Ireland and Europe is interbreeding with domesticated and Feral Pigeons.

For more information on the birds of the gardens and countryside of Britain and Ireland, please visit,

http://bird4u.mzzhost.com/index.html

Interesting Articles 

Irish Times – Where Are All the Dead Pigeons: 

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/where-are-all-the-dead-pigeons-854878.html 

Rock Pigeon: https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/r/Rock_Pigeon.htm 

White-Fronted Goose of Britain and Ireland

Photo credit: NDomer73 on Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

The White-Fronted Goose, Anser albifrons , is a winter visitor to Britain and Ireland from Russia. 

Large flocks of White-Fronted Geese from Russia and those belonging to a subspecies of the White-Fronted Goose, Anser albifrons flavirostris, from Greenland arrive on the shores of Britain and Ireland in October.

Internationally important numbers of White-Fronted Geese winter in Britain and Ireland. White-Fronted Geese  do not breed in Britain and Ireland.

The population of White-Fronted Geese from Russia is currently stable. However, the race from Greenland has experienced a fall in their numbers in their breeding ground. White-Fronted Geese from Greeland are now some of  Europe’s rarest geese.

Adults are grey-brown with a large white patch on the front of the head, around the bill and thick black bars on the belly. The legs are orange. 

Juveniles lack the white on the forehead and black bars around the breast.

Russian White-Fronted Geese have pink bills while those from Greenland are orange.

The wintering population of Russian White-Fronted Geese that arrive in Britain and Ireland is thought to be in the region of between 10,000 and 14,000 birds.

Wintering Russian White-Fronted Geese in Britain and Ireland belong to the  “North Sea Group”. The “North Sea Group” also includes Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. 

“The north-west European population migrates along the Baltic coasts and uses staging areas in southern Sweden and eastern Germany where numbers peak in November, before moving west into the Netherlands and Britain where numbers peak in January”[JNCC – please see link below).

Russian White-Fronted Geese are found in only a few sites along the coast of Britain.

“White-fronted geese can be seen in south England especially the Severn estuary in Gloucestershire and the Swale estuary in Kent for Russian birds. Ireland and West Scotland for Greenland birds” [RSPB - https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/white-fronted-goose/ ).

 Smaller numbers can be seen in many areas of England and Wales. Russian White-Fronted Geese rarely fly to Scotland or Ireland.
“Spring migration is easterly, with birds staging in southern Russia for up to a month before moving north in May to their breeding grounds” [JNCC - http://archive.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/UKSPA/UKSPA-A6-19.pdf ).

The other four wintering grounds used by Russian White-Fronted Geese are The “Pannonic group”which is made up Yugoslavia, Hungary and Italy; The “Pontic group” comprises of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and central Turkey. The “Anatolian group” refers to eastern Turkey only.

Wintering White-Fronted Geese in Scotland and Ireland are almost exclusively from Greenland. They fly across the North Atlantic to Iceland and then to Britain and Ireland.

They are dispersed widely over western Scotland and are found in only a few sites in Ireland. 

Large flocks of White-Fronted Geese return to the same site yearly in the Wexford Slobs and south-eastern Ireland.

Ireland plays host to approximately a third, or between 8,000 and 10,000, of the global population of White-Fronted Geese from Greenland. Another 13,000 spend the winter in Scotland.

Wintering birds arrive in October and leave between March and April [RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds).

White-Fronted Geese are sociable birds who remain in family groups throughout the winter. 

Large flocks can be seen flying in lines sometimes “V” formations at dusk or dawn. The large flock disperses into smaller groups during the day.

The wintering sites include peatlands, extensive areas of grasslands and coastal pastures.

White-Fronted Geese roost along sandbanks and other suitable places along estuaries, large lakes and lochs. Their calls resemble high-pitched laughing. 

White-Fronted Geese search for food on open areas of grasslands near water, wet pastures along the coast and river valleys. They have also adapted to grazing on farmland in recent years. 

The main diet of the White-Fronted Goose is vegetarian. They eat the leaves, stems, roots and seeds of plants such as grains, barley, potatoes, sugar beet, horsetails,  clover, cotton grass and couch grass.

Adults begin breeding when they are 3 years old although pairs are formed when they are 2 years of age. Pairs stay together for life. 

The average lifespan of the White Fronted Goose is 5 years.  

The White-Fronted Goose is classified as of Least Concern by IUCN.

The European population is currently “stable”. The White-Fronted Goose population has “undergone a large and statistically significant increase over the last 40 years in North America (5500% increase over 40 years” [Birdlife International ).

The White-Fronted Goose is a red-listed species of bird in Britain and Ireland.

Sadly, the population of White-Fronted Geese from Greenland is declining 

“The population declined from the 1950s until the 1970s, but legislation in 1982 removed hunting pressure on the wintering grounds and the population doubled to 35,600 between then and 1999…Since 1999, the whole population has shown widespread decline”

The reasons for the fall in their numbers include “June weather”, hunting in Iceland and competition with Greater Canada Geese. 
Breeding Greater Canada Geese have recently arrived in the west of  Greenland
[Researchgate - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286949163_The_rise_and_fall_of_Greenland_White-fronted_goose_A_case_study_in_international_conservation ).

Disturbance from tourists and cruise liners on their breeding grounds in Greenland is also a cause for concern.

The most significant threat to White-Fronted Geese on their wintering sites in Scotland and Ireland are changes in farming practices.

For example, “local farmers that do have grass are, by February, keeping geese away from this crop which is being prepared for cattle housed through winter months”. [Ask Ireland - http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/environment-geography/flora-fauna/flora-and-fauna-of-wexfor/the-greenland-white-front/ ).

General threats to the White-Fronted Goose include hunting, disturbance at staging sites, poisoning from pesticides on farmland, pollution from oil spills and drainage to their wetland habitat.

For more information on the birds of the gardens and countryside of Britain and Ireland, please visit,
http://bird4u.mzzhost.com/index.html

Interesting Articles 

Irish Times - Another Life: Was it for this the wild geese spread the grey wing on every tide?
By Michael Viney:
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/another-life-was-it-for-this-the-wild-geese-spread-the-grey-wing-on-every-tide-1.2812112

Birdguides - Goose ‘fitness tracker’ reveals migration struggles:
https://www.birdguides.com/articles/goose-fitness-tracker-reveals-migration-struggles 

Bearded Tit of Britain and Ireland

Photo credit: Smudge 9000 on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC

The Bearded Tit, Panurus biarmicus, is one of the rarest birds in Britain and Ireland. They are small, distinctive birds which live and breed in large reedbeds throughout the year. 

The population of Bearded Tits is prone to fluctuations because of their susceptibility to cold winter weather. 

Happily, their numbers and range have increased in Britain because of the milder weather in the winter. 

The trend in the Republic of Ireland is unknown as there are only ten Bearded Tits in the Irish population.

Other names for the Bearded Tit include the Bearded Reeding and Bearded Parrotbill.

The male is ginger with a blue-grey head, black moustache and black rump. The wings have black and white markings. The tail is longer in the male than the female.

Females and juveniles are ginger-brown and have a dark patch in the centre of the back. They also lack the moustache.

Beaded Tits belong to the Parrotbill family of birds

Bearded Tits are sociable and noisy birds that spend their lives among large reedbeds and vegetation along the edges o marshes and wetland. 

They are very agile birds which cling easily to the stems of reeds.

[Daily Mail - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2012539/Bearded-tit-does-splits-Agile-bird-shows-remarkable-gymnastic-skills.html )

The elusiveness of Bearded Tits in reedbeds is well known although they sometimes fly rapidly across reedbeds. Their loud “ping” sounding call is often the only way people know they are near.

The main diet of Beaded Tits is insects and their larvae, spiders, snails and reed seeds. Insects such as flies and aphids are eaten in the summer. The seeds of Common Reeds in the winter. 

Foraging takes place among reeds, on the ground or floating vegetation at the base of reeds.

Bearded Tits are the only songbird in Britain and Ireland who spend all their time in reedbeds.

Cold winters, particularly times of prolonged snow and ice, are one of the main causes of the decline in the population. However, Bearded Tits produce large broods of chicks which allows the population to bounce back quickly.

Bearded Tits are resident birds who are found mostly in southern, eastern and north-western Britain. Most stay near their breeding sites although small flocks roam around local reedbeds.

Records show there are only 5 pairs of Bearded Tits in the Republic of Ireland. Breeding birds have been found along the coasts of Counties Wicklow and Wexford 

[IRRBP – http://irbbp.org/species-list/species-profiles/76_bearded-tit/).

“Breeding distribution in Britain & Ireland has increased by 84% since the first Breeding Bird Atlas (1976), and breeding hotspots are found primarily in East Anglia and more generally in the east of England and Scotland”.

Suffolk and Norfolk are the traditional areas of breeding Bearded Tits. The tidal estuary along the Humber in northern England is also a stronghold of these birds. 

Bearded Tits arrived in Scotland in 1972 and began breeding in 1991. According to the British Trust for Ornithology, almost half of the British population is now found along the River Tay. Bearded Tits began colonising the River Tay in the 1990s {RSPB - http://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/409396-bearded-tits-thriving-in-the-tay-reedbeds ).

Wintering Bearded Tits from the Netherlands and Europe sometimes arrive in Britain during an irruption.

“The spread of Bearded Tits to new sites is due to a combination of their eruptive movements in autumn and winter and mild winters” 

{BTO – Introduction on page 6 – https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/shared_documents/publications/research-reports/2014/rr650.pdf).

Pairs are generally monogamous as they form long or lifelong bonds. 

The male and female build their nest low down among tall, dense reeds during April. Some pairs have successfully bred in reed nest boxes provided by the RSPB.

The nest is made of dead reeds along with other dried grasses. Pairs normally use the same nest site yearly.

Four to eight eggs are laid in May which take 2 weeks to hatch. The young learn to fly after another 2 weeks and leave the nest a few days afterwards.

Chicks are fed flies [Diptera ) by their parents.

Both parents care for the young and can rear between 2 and 3 broods a year.

The young learn to feed themselves after a week and become independent after another week.

Foraging areas during the breeding season takes place on open ground along the edges of reedbeds. 

Bearded Tits form autumn flocks from mid-September. They make local movements between October and November although the main wintering areas tend to be the same as their breeding sites. Small reedbeds often attract wintering birds.

The Bearded Tit is classified as of Least Concern by IUCN.

Europe holds 15% of the global population. The global and European population trend is unknown.

The Bearded Tit is a green-listed species of bird in Britain. They were moved from the amber list in 2015. 

There are currently an estimated 640 pairs of Bearded Tits breeding in Britain.

“The historic loss of this wetland habitat across the UK has resulted in the population becoming fragmented across isolated areas in the south-west, eastern and northern parts of England” {RSPB - https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/bearded-tits-reach-record-numbers/ ).

The population crashed with only 360 pairs surviving the winter of 2010. Their numbers have increased recently due to milder winters and management of reedbeds by RSPB on their reserves.

The main threats to Bearded Tits are cold, harsh winter weather, flooding of nests and destruction or damage to their reedbed homes.

For more information on the birds of the gardens and countryside of Britain and Ireland, please visit,

http://bird4u.mzzhost.com/index.html