Hello, I'm new to this site!
First off, I have fed birds religiously for years but suddenly 2 years ago a huge flock of feral-type pigeons descended on me. Now I absolutely love the wood pigeons with their constant background coo-ing, but I didn't bargain for 60 - 80 'ferals' sitting on my roof because (a) I can't afford the outlay on birdseed & (b) my neighbours HATE me & have come round & threatened 'proceedings' against me. Then last autum the huge flock disappeared & I was much relieved on all fronts. However, on 19th April they returned - from almost nil to 60! But why would they leave me during the low food availability months only to return en masse in plentiful springtime? I live in fear of furious neighbours once again but find it impossible not to feed hungry creatures when they gaze at me from my roof. Wish there was an answer...