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Pigeon

Common Name: Feral Pigeons Scientific name: Columba livia

Biology: Breeding can occur throughout the year, but the peak occurs between March and July. Two white eggs are laid and

incubated for 17-19 days by both parents. The young pigeons or squabs are fed on highly proteinceous Pigeon milk. But this

gradually replaced by regurgitated grain. The young are independent after 30-37 days. Up to 4 broods maybe reared during the

year. Some young birds breed at 6 months.

Habits: Nests are built in or on buildings, bridges, ledges or hollows such as gutters. Grass, twigs, feathers and scraps such as

pieces of wire are used in their unusually flimsy nests. Feral Pigeons mainly rely on spillage's or scraps left by the public. Some

pigeons fly to arable farmlands to feed on sowings and stubbles. Pigeons normally feed in flocks.

Treatment: With pigeons nesting in areas where they are not welcome, deterrent products are used to keep them away. This is

normally by means of proofing with pointed spikes, trip wire or complex netting systems. In areas where pigeons are a real

problem due to the numbers, a cull maybe needed eliminating a percentage of the pigeon population within that area. Pigeons

also carry many diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans if droppings contaminate food stores, bakeries or

canteens. They also carry a mite which causes skin disease, and feather dust can cause allergic alveolitis or 'pigeon fancier's

lung'. Feral pigeon flocks can harbour Newcastle disease which can be passed to domestic poultry if their feed is contaminated

by droppings.

Moles

Talpa europaea Distribution: Great Britain, except Ireland; throughout rest of Europe and Asia.

Habitat: Lives mostly underground in pasture, woodland (with hardwood trees) and gardens; absent from high moors, mountains

and acid soils. Size: Male: - head and body about 15cm (16ins). Female is slightly smaller. Tail about 32mm long. Weight: -

about 120g and males are heavier than females.  Life-span: up to 3 years. Food: entirely carnivorous consuming mainly earthworms but also eating insect larvae and slugs.

Breeding: Moles breed from March to May only. The male (boar) visits the female (sow) in her burrow and leaves straight after

mating, taking no part in raising the young. The female builds a special chamber about the size of a football and lines it with dry

grass and leaves. An extra large molehill, or 'fortress', usually covers the nest chamber. A food store will be close by.

After a gestation period (time between mating and birth) of 30 days, a litter of 2-7 young is born. The babies are blind and

naked at birth and do not grow fur until they are 2 weeks old. At about 3 weeks of age their eyes open. They grow quickly,

feeding on their mother's milk, and are ready to leave the nest at about 35 days. The young mole must move or be killed by the

adults. They will then travel overland searching for territories of their own. Very occasionally a second litter will be produced.