BIRDWATCH AT RSPB PULBOROUGH BROOKS

Flocks of many hundreds have been seen passing over each day this week, with approximately 1,000 birds together low over the brooks, sheltering from the heavy rain on October 1.

An event that is every bit as spectacular as migrating swallows but will probably go unnoticed by most people this autumn will be the arrival of wood pigeons Columba palumbus.

As wood pigeons are residents in this country and can be seen practically anywhere at any time, it may be surprising to learn that the population is boosted by thousands of migrants in the autumn and winter.

Wood pigeons are largely summer visitors to most of central and eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia.

These birds move south and west during September and October to spend the winter in the milder climate of western and southern Europe.

In some years, tens of thousands are recorded flying over sites such as Beachy Head in just a few days, usually in late October and early November.

It is perhaps because they are so common we often fail to appreciate that wood pigeons are rather beautiful birds. Their most striking features are the white wing-bars, white collar (hence the old name of 'ring dove') and a broad black band across the end of the tail.

They have wonderfully subtle pink and purple hues on their breast and an iridescent green patch on their neck, all set against a bright yellow iris and a red and yellow bill.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette October 10