Wood pigeon woes

[Minnie888]

We have a 'collection' of wood pigeons nesting either in our trees or nearby. Up until now it's just been the amount of bird s**t that has been annoying but we've lived with it and invested in tarpaulin for the slide

But now we have started growing our veg and the buggers are all over our patch particularly the radishes and peas constantly! I have a fleece membrane over the peas for now but am worried as they are getting bigger it'll start restricting growth and dug some last netting out for the radish. I've chased them off many a time and tried a water gun. 3 year old has also chased them but they come back in 10 mins.

Do any of you wise people have any tips? Anything I can try? Something has been up rooting the shallots too but I think it may be the fox.

I can only suggest making cages out of chicken wire to put over your veg plants. We’ve had to do this from time to time when we’ve had similar problems.

Wood pigeon’s mess is disgusting, especially if it’s walked into the house and ruined an expensive carpet!

Grow cabbages as a distraction?

I have problems with pigeons on my cabbages, but they leave my peas alone.

Net them? Wilko netting

I do have a couple of cabbages to grow so that may help.. they are such little sods and it's a long garden to run up

I've ordered some netting so that's good, hopefully keep the buggers off. Failing that I'll get a peregrine falcon.

Oh me too! They’ve got almost all the carrot seedlings and half my lettuces before I noticed. Wire cages being made tomorrow... but it makes me think, ‘sod it’ and give up.

@LadyFuschia I feel your pain. I'm not going to let them win! Little swines. In future will aim to grow a distraction crop. They seem to like the radishes and they are so easy and quick to grow

Scarecrow?

I love their call so much I put up with them I’m not ruthless enough to garden. I get sentimental about the slugs too.