A pigeon coup

BRITAIN’S pigeon population has increased by about 150 per cent in the past 50 years.

Other bird numbers have plummeted, with the tree sparrow population falling by 95 per cent. But farmers have reported record numbers of wood pigeons this autumn, which cause huge damage to crops. It is estimated £75million worth of rapeseed plants alone are ruined each year.

Farmers can legally shoot the birds, so many retreat to town gardens where they feed on worms, ants, seeds and berries.