8 minute read
Wandering Woodpigeons
In late October and early November, the cool, clear conditions with light winds provide the ideal recipe for Woodpigeon migration.
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Despite how numerous they are, rather little is known about Woodpigeon movements in the UK. As a species, it is found from western Siberia in the east to the Faeroes in the west, and as far north as Fennoscandia and south as North Africa. We do know that some of A Woodpigeon in flight. Photo by Allan Drewitt / BTO the populations of continental-breeding Woodpigeon how long they live. To date though, no Thetford-ringed move south in the autumn, and consequently some Woodpigeons have been reported more than 3 miles movements of Woodpigeons seen in Britain probably from where they were caught, even though 376 of them involve birds from these populations that have been were fitted with white coloured rings that bear a visible blown across the North Sea and are then continuing code! One possible explanation is that any birds that their southbound journeys. Other movements of Woodwere passing through our area when they were ringed pigeons witnessed here are likely to comprise birds that continue onwards quite rapidly, and rarely come into bred further north within the UK. It is also thought that towns and cities to feed. This would make it less likely many of the birds seen heading out to sea from the for their rings to be noticed and reported by observant south coast of England don’t go very far before doubling members of the public. back. However, there is evidence that at least some birds do carry on, as flocks have been recorded leaving Cornwall, then being seen over the Isles of Scilly, followed by the Channel Islands and the Brittany coast. If you do spot or find a Woodpigeon (or any other bird apart from racing pigeons) bearing a leg ring, please report it online via; ring.ac Pure Flow Advert.qxp_Layout 1 04/06/2020 12:14 Pag Many of the continental birds head to Spain and also Paul Stancliffe and Lee Barber, BTO Portugal to feed on the acorn harvest, via a flight around the western end of the Pyrenees. Some may take a route around the eastern end of the mountains but this is far from clear – there is still much to learn! Might some of the Woodpigeons that arrive in Spain and Portugal for the winter months include birds from the British breeding population? It is possible that some of our Woodpigeons do leave the UK in the winter but we don’t yet know if that is the case. Pure Flow H2O Window Cleaning. Betts of Brandon 1/8 AD.qxp_Layout 1 09/04/2019 16:38 About 50 Woodpigeons have been ringed in Thetford each year since 2010, this is to help us uncover any Coverin l Pure g Th HO etford a T Water nd Wi su nd rrou ow ndi Cle ng ani are ng a's. movements our local Woodpigeons may be making, and l Traditional Window Cleaning l Residential & Commercial BETTS OfBrandon Call: 0184281 Fengate Drove • 1 B 003 randon l l l l Waterfed Pole Cleaning Conservatory Cleaning Soffits & Fascia's Cleane Cladding Cleaned Sp d ecialists
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Late July brought the sad news that the UK’s hedgehogs are now considered to be vulnerable to extinction, following research and assessment by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Although devastating, the news was not wholly unexpected by conservation groups and Norfolk Wildlife Trust hopes that placing on the ‘red list’ of species is an opportunity to raise awareness of these wonderful creatures.
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Many Norfolk towns and villages still have good populations of hedgehogs and whilst we are not currently able to help communities looking to help their hogs, we can recommend the wonderful Hedgehog Street website, www. hedgehogstreet.org which is full of ideas on how to help garden hedgehogs. Ideas include working with neighbours to ensure that there are gaps in fences and walls so hedgehogs can forage easily and trying to make sure that groups of gardens provide everything the animals need, from water to log piles for hibernating in. Finally, when winter comes, hedgehogs may need a little help, especially the autumn-born juveniles, which are often too small to survive hibernation. If you find a small hedgehog (under 450g), then put it in a high sided box or pet carrier with a hot water bottle wrapped in an old towel (a plastic bottle with warm water will suffice) and seek help from the RSPCA, from a local animal sanctuary or via the • FullyInsured
British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Let’s hope that by working across Norfolk, we can make this a county where Hedgehogs flourish! Helen Baczkowska - Norfolk Wildlife Trust
The nearest Hedgehog Rescue to Thetford is on Facebook for more info. To donate to the hospital please visit; https://bit.ly/342a9TZ
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If you already have cats living together, or are thinking of getting two cats or more, there are some important things to consider about their social nature. Taking steps I have outlined here will help them to live in harmony, without hidden signs of conflict and stress and will hopefully enhance your bond with your cats.
We’ve had a recent experience where an adopter who already has a resident cat took one of our kittens but sadly did not listen to our guidelines on introducing a new kitten to their home, and when things didn’t work out, the kitten was returned to Start in a large room where they can stay at a us within 48 hours. This is certainly not enough distance from each other. Supervise the cats when time for cats to get used to each other and it is not they are together and only introduce for short good for the kitten to be moved again. Here is how periods of time during feeding time to help form you go about it: If you have a resident cat, ensure positive associations with each other. It can take that all their routines remain the same where anything from a day to many weeks for cats to possible. Shut the new cat in the room that the tolerate each other, so don’t give up if there is resident cat uses the least. In this room provide some hissing and spitting initially, just go back food and water and a litter tray. Somewhere to a step. Have a blanket handy just in case they hide is a good idea, even a cardboard box on its become physical so that you can separate them. side or under the bed or a viewing platform – cats Take care to avoid being bitten or scratched as the love to view their surroundings from a height. Also cats may be quite excited. Don’t chase or shout somewhere cosy to sleep – igloo beds are good at them as this will only lead to them associating and lots of toys and a scratching post. each other with bad things. As they become more comfortable in each other’s company, try giving Before introducing the cats physically, introduce them titbits to encourage them to come closer. them to each other’s scent. Swap scents by Choose somewhere where they can escape stroking each cat with a separate clean soft cloth easily, placing an object such as a chair between and dabbing it around your home and furniture or the feeding bowls may help them feel less leaving the cloth in the cat’s environment to sniff. threatened. Over time you can move the bowls Keep swapping scents until the cats show no closer together, but do not place them side by reaction to the smell. You can then progress side. Many cats prefer to eat separately, even to letting them see each other, but not letting those cats in the same social group. them touch or meet. Using a glass or mesh door between cats and allowing each cat to approach By taking all these simple steps you can often or hide as they choose, is a good idea. When its dramatically improve the quality of life of the cats time to introduce your cats face to face it helps to living in your household. For advice or information Made to Measure 1/8th Advert 2020.qxp_Layout 1 11/0 Maid2Clean 1/8 AD.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 11:24 Pa ensure easy escape routes for both cats as well as access to high places. of if you need help with the cost of neutering, call us on 01842 810018. Rita Thompson
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