How widespread are Stock Doves?

[Feathers]

Just that really? Have come across them for the first time very recently at my folks' place on the Wirral and I swear I heard one the other morning here in suburban Sheffield? Are they just a bit secretive and too often mistaken for feral/wood pigeons?

Thanksverymuchinadvance

Chris

[John]

Hi Chris

To be honest I think they are a very much overlooked bird. I suppose I am as guilty as anyone when I see a flock of so called pigeons to just dismiss them as that. However if you look at any pigeons there is always a chance that Stock Doves will be there.

I have seen them all over the place but I must admit I can't ever recall seeing them in Urban areas.

John

[Andy Warne]

Within the last couple of years they have started to appear in our suburban garden. Now we have a regular pair that visit the bird table and even hang off of the seed feeder flapping their wings, they seem to be adapting themselves very well.
Cracking birds, just hope they can compete with the Wood Pigeons who are becoming a bit of a pest species round here.

Andy

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I often see them whilst driving around up here, mainly in the rural areas though. I do think they get overlooked by most people as they look alot like Wood Pidgeon, but without the white on the neck and wing

[mrs fish]

I have met a pair this year, they have been nesting in a hole in a tree nearby, they are shy and have visited the garden a couple of times, they are nearly as big as the woodies.

[Dan Salter]

How funny i read this thread late last night and have just had a dream about being out with my birding friends and watching stock doves !!

[Feathers]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

How funny i read this thread late last night and have just had a dream about being out with my birding friends and watching stock doves !!

I do like to dabble in a little mind control in my spare time...

[Andy Warne]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

How funny i read this thread late last night and have just had a dream about being out with my birding friends and watching stock doves !!

I might be strange but I keep a list of the birds I've seen in my dreams.
Latest ticks were Puffin and Storm Petrel.

Andy

[John]

Originally Posted by Andy Warne

I might be strange but I keep a list of the birds I've seen in my dreams.

I'm saying nothing.

Originally Posted by Andy Warne

Latest ticks were Puffin and Storm Petrel.

Andy

Now that's a novel tick list. Dreams tick list. I wonder how quick you can tick the world species of 9,000+ birds on that list.

John

[aeshna5]

Stock Doves are one of the few farmland species which are on the increase. They are fairly common around edges of London + also breed in large central parks where there are suitable large trees with cavities for them to breed. I've not seen them in paved squares where Wood Pigeons often join their more numerous Feral Pigeon cousins though! On the whole I do think Stock Doves do get overlooked by the less avid birders.

Interestingly Collared Doves are common in suburbs (I've had up to 14 in my garden) but are still rare in the city.