Pigeon Loft

[Vagus]

Every afternoon round about 4pm, give or take an hour or so, a flock of what I think are pigeons, flies round and round for about half an hour.
I reckon there are about 30 birds in this flock and they’re pale underneath but not white, so I don’t think they’re doves, and have pale grey heads.
Anyone know anything about pigeons? Might these be racing pigeons exercising? Is that something a pigeon person would get their flock to do?
They seem a bit too regular to be a random clump of flying birds, it’s got me a bit puzzled.

[pat2604]

Collared Doves?
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/birds/facts-about-collared-dove/

[Barmaid]

Are you sure they are pigeons and not lapwings? V often they will take flight because of a predator. They have pale bellies and are often mistaken for pigeons.

[Vagus]

Could be collared doves pat, we do get an occasional one in the garden.
Definitely not lapwings Barmaid, they do a lot of flapping in flight and seem to twinkle with the black and white of their wings. These birds just seem to swoop and soar around.
Thanks for your thoughts both.

[davebro]

Pigeon fanciers do exercise their birds daily when they are not racing so there could be a loft near you.

I've not seen flocks of doves around here, just pairs or 3 if another male is trying to butt in. And the fact that it's so regular would make me think it's racing pigeons.

[KUSTARD]

I would say these are definitely racing pigeons Vagus. My father kept and raced them successfully for 65 years (and trained the carrier pigeons during the war). He used to let them out daily for exercise and clean the loft out whilst they were flying. He used to put a sack on a pole in front of the loft and they wouldn't land till the sack and pole had gone which explains why they fly around, circling the loft, for a certain length of time. Sadly (because no one bothered about masks) my father died of "pigeon fanciers lung" but he WAS in his eighties and his birds were his life. Hope this info helps.

[barry1010]

I'd say pigeon loft - there are two near me and see them flying most days

[Vagus]

Thanks Dave and Barry, and particularly Kustard, that’s really interesting, especially the sack on the pole thing!
Who’d have thought it? :)

[KUSTARD]

No problem Vegas. Just of further interest, no neighbours in the vicinity of the loft dared to have washing flapping in the breeze when my dad was waiting for his birds to come back on race days because they wouldn't land!!!!

[Vagus]

I thought you were going to say because they pooped on the washing ;)
Seriously though, your very knowledgeable explanation and information is great. You learn something every day don’t you? Many thanks again x

[KUSTARD]

I shall go on Mastermind with racing pigeons as my chosen subject Vagus LOL. Enjoy your day

[Smowball]

God that’s a lot of birds! Lol