hawked again

Any North East (Scotland) birds in yet?

Nae bother Walter, I'll expect the first birds at 20 past 3 then. If they get here that is. Keep up the good work with the lib times Walter, your saving us a fortune in lib line charges. Many thanks.

Thanks for the update Walter.

I'd just like to say a big thanks to the Fifer for collecting a stray for me from a Fife non-fancier this week, the man's a gentleman. Thanks Fifer, if you PM me your address I will put you something down for your petrol. Many thanks, Hawked Again.

Good on you Doomaloon. I hope you have good returns today, might give Forres a chance then. It's brightening up in Inverness and still almost no wind.

Thanks Sapper, hope you have a good race today.

So why don't you do what I do Robbie? First thing Saturday morning log on to the site and type Walter Masson into the search box and get Walter's last post. The man's doing us all agreat service, well done Walter. I then used to phone round club members to let them know when the doos were up. Most of them would say, yeah I know I phoned the lib line so I only phone one now. If you have a big club you could agree that one person could get the time from the site, or the lib line and then call maybe two or three other members who each call another two or three and so on. Within ten minutes the whole club would know the lib time without spending a penny. Again - well done Walter! It's overcast in Inverness today with a very slight West wind, not so sure about this Nothern Light, we'll soon find out if there's any effect to homing.

Hi Sapper/Clockman How's it looking down your way for a Thornton liberation, flying North?

Well I hope the fellow up stairs looks after him if he is out in the Stan, or where ever he is.

Thanks very much for your help Fifer and your dead right, we need to all help each other out especially when non fanciers are involved. You can always rely on a man with a green beret for help. I have replied to your PM, thanks very much.

Hi Fifer, I have sent you the PM. Thanks very much for your help.

Will do Fifer, thanks very much for your help.

Hi Fifer The post code is KY15 4EQ, I told the lady that I would not post all her details on the site but I could PM them to you if that's ok.

A lady (non fancier) in Cupar Fife has given shelter to one of my lost pigeons SU10NE3421, could someone in the area collect it for me please? We could then make arrangements for it's return to Inverness.

It is Elgin. Contact Stan Wells on 01343 552823.

Well done John, only 4 out of 10 in to Inverness.

Thanks Walter. Conditions in Inverness perfect just now with just a slight west wind. Best of luck to all!

I always just breed off my very best, used 5 stock pairs this year, 5 yearlings that did very well last year and 3 older stock hens. On top of that I took from late breds I brought in from Edinburgh last year. 1st eggs were laid at the end of January but the youngsters did not have any freedom until the sparrowhawk was on her nest, she was late this year so the youngsters did not fly out until the 2nd week in May. They go into an aviary that I can remove from the front of the loft when it’s time to let them out. By the time they went out some had dropped 3 flights, I had NO fly-aways. The birds were well basket trained, now there’s a problem with a lot of fanciers now a days. The birds would not range, I am hearing this a lot from many flyers in the North of Scotland Fed, is it because there are so many peregrines around that they don’t want to leave the safety of the loft area? The sparrowhawk is still sitting tight at this time. 26 June started training, 40 birds, Elgin 30ish miles for their 1st toss at lunch time along with another Inverness flyer, 100% returns. 5 more tosses from Elgin same time of day still 100% returns. 10 July Cabrach, about 20 miles ssw of Elgin. Hit with the hawk, 1st bird expected home 1 ¼ hours, took 3 ½ hours, 20 birds missing by nightfall. Next day all birds home apart from 3 but another 3 hawked, that’s 15% of the birds lost or injured in 1 hawk attack. 6 tosses without running into the peregrine 100% returns, 1 toss running into the peregrine 15% out the game, the numbers tell the story. There are still too many people breeding off every bird they have though, you will never improve until you breed off only your very, very best.

When he goes into the other cocks box and starts fighting hold onto the bully so that the other cock can knock h*ll out of him and keep doing it until he gives up. Worked for me.

The missing two are home today so back to 45.

45 this morning, 43 now. Had the first toss today, just under 30 miles, hope to see them in the morning, don't think I will though.

Thanks Redcheqhen. Will let Bill know. Someone from Elgin may claim it as some of them used to bring in a few NLs quite often.

NL2009 1757882 Being held by Bill Main Inverness on 01463 222074. Came in with his young birds today training East of Inverness.

First birds I know of in Inverness from Rippon came up the A9 and arrived at 11:50. The second batch came as usual from the East at 12:51. Fair chuffed with the A9 ones.

Jock picked the bird up from the transporter today, said he lost it a long time ago so it must have been in with someone. Thanks again for your help.