Some did not hesitate to describe the migration of woodpigeons last fall as a blue tsunami, as they observed so many flights. Unfortunately, this was not the case everywhere. Particularly in the south of Gironde, which seems more and more devastated. Influence of the area ravaged by the Landiras megafires during the summer of 2022 or not, it is far too early to say. On the other hand, if the trend persists, there could be a cause and effect relationship.
One thing is certain, migration tends to take place further inland, to the detriment of the western zone. Hunters from Lot and Lot-et-Garonne saw a migration like there had not been for several decades. Many of these birds stopped off in cereal crops before crossing the Pyrenees. Unfortunately, once in Spain, the bluebirds found themselves confronted with unusual bad weather.
Blue Chalosse
“This season, I observed a lot of return flights during migration,” said Cédric Cugny, a Basque hunter, in November. These birds were turning back most likely because of the rain. In Chalosse, it was blue. There were birds everywhere in the crops. » The presence of gigantic flocks of birds in the south of the Landes and in the Gers suggested a very good winter. Especially since at that time, it was difficult for them to cross the mountains again. With a few exceptions, such as this huge theft in the Masseilles-Gans sector at the end of November, they only really arrived in the first week of December.
-During the first official count, volunteer observers from the Gironde Departmental Federation of Hunters (FDC33) noted an increased presence in the dormitories in both Entre-deux-Mers and South-Gironde. Gérard Pinguet, observer for the FDC33, estimated between 15,000 and 16,000 birds present in the Herrère dormitory, the Coimères hunting and wildlife reserve. In Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Jean-Pierre Bugeade, hunter in Entre-deux-Mers, counted around 6,000.
Carrots and beans
If we take into account the different sleeping places and birds present in the forest zone, more than 30,000 woodpigeons must have stayed in Entre-deux-Mers and Sud-Gironde. Unfortunately, the winter was short-lived. Most definitely because of the reduced food. Although the woodpigeon is not very particular about food, they do not seem to appreciate carrots and green beans, which in many places have replaced corn in South Gironde and northern Landes. “Around January 10, many birds had left. And, on January 13, for the second federal count, there were only 500 birds left in Herrère. According to my sources, there were a thousand left scattered between Noaillac, Aillas and Sigalens and a few others here and there,” underlines Gérard Pinguet. Same observation in Entre-deux-Mers. Moreover, flights of woodpigeons and cranes have been seen heading north.
