Fly_caster

Really good series - well done OY. More please ! ATB. Steve

Easi-Bed is good - but I prefer Hempcore. I used Easi-Bed at my old loft for a year before I built my new loft. I still use both, and find the hemcore better at composting the dung than the EasiBed which is much coarser. Not much in it - down to personal preference I'd say. ATB, Steve

None taken. Passing the knowledge and keeping your flock of birds together and flying well at the loft are two different things completely. I don't give a rats ass about whether it is legal or not, but won't stand idly by whilst a SH decimates my birds, even of that is only mentally, stopping them reaching their potential after all my hard work. Steve

It's a SH Hen by your description. Since she is so keen on your birds / garden, she would be easy to trap! Just make a wire cage about 1M wide x 1M long x .5 m High using 1" x 1" wire around a wooden frame. (Even large chicken wire will work) Take 1 dead streeter, or any dead bird, and tie it, by the legs, to the furthest top corner of the box by the leg. Prop the box up on its edge using a stick which will keep the box off the ground by 18". Tie the other leg of the dead bird to the top of that stick. This suspends the bird "in the air" but under the cage, with its legs spread taughtly between the corner of the cage and the top of the stick. This is how it works. The SH will see the dead bird, which is better than a live one to them as it involves less effort to catch. The wire permits a good view of the bird from all angles. It will land, and run under the tilted cage and attack the bird so as it can eat it. The tugging and pulling at the bird will dislodge the stick and allow the cage to fall, thus trapping the hawk. You can help how quickly the stick dislodges by putting a piece of smooth, thin plastic between the top of the stick and the under-edge of the cage. This method works very well. I personally know someone who has trapped 15 or so Hens in the first half of a year. He, of course, decided to relocate all of these safetly! Don't just moan about the problem - there are a million topics here and on other sites on how to control, if not eradicate the problem - you just need to set about doing something about it, not talking about it! I lost a LB earlier this week, and within 1 day had relocated the offender using the same technique. If I get a chance, I'll post a pic in the next few days. Cheers, Steve

Thanks for posting ! ATB, Steve

Good post - Thanks !

Hiya, Its a good time of the year to buy secondhand unless you are set on buying new. I bought 2 lofts in the UK and lorried them in here and rebuilt them - not for everybody but I got what I wanted. PM me if I can be of any assistance. ATB, Steve

I'd feed her too - Anti-freeze will stop her feeling cold ! Goes well with Tuna I believe ATB. Steve

Make sure that you get the bird that was killed and leave it out in front of your loft with something nice on it - I can guarantee that the SH will be back, probably at first light tomorrow - looking for the remains. Make sure that there is something there for her ! ATB, Steve

Awesome ! Must get one - soon ! Never mentioned Percy.....and how is it catching the Buzzards ? At night ?

Hi, Saw this on the BBC site earlier - really clever and useful too for those in dark corners or with lofts without enough natural light. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14967535 ATB, Steve

Surprised ?

Not great shots but you get the idea............ ATB, Steve

Electrical cabing conduit is excellent. Although hollow, you can screw through it although it will need support approx. every 600mm. to maintain its rigidity. We sone the same thing in our sections, might post a pic. if I can find one. Available from Electrical Wholesalers, look for the heavier type, normally available in bundles of 20 x 3M lengths for about £20, thats 100 feet for £25. Hope this helps. Steve

It's never that rough a crossing - almost never ! That is a cheap fare - get it booked and enjoy yourself ! ATB, Steve

Yes - Troon is by far the best route if you are from Glasgow or further North (or west) because the last 1 Hr. drive as far as Ayr is one of the worst I know of in the UK. It is a 2 hour sail to Larne and yes I would book it. (I have a nasty feeling that it is a summer only sailing and may be off when the Dublin show is on). Nonetheless, book in advance for a cheaper fare and splash out on a "Stena Plus" ticket - it allows for cancellations and also gets you priority boarding and departure as well as a nice lounge on the boat with free snacks, tea, coffee, fruit and newspapers. If you go to google maps, and enter Cloghran, Swords, you will see the M1 mororway right beside the show centre, and the Bewleys hotel which is within a mile on the same road off the motorway.

Hiya, 1. There is no boat from scotland to Dublin. 2. Boats from Scotland are either from Troon or Stranraer (or Cairnryan) and go to either Larne or Belfast City, 3. Either Irish port is about 2 hours by road to Dublin on very good (motorway) roads. 4. The show is on the North side of Dublin, right beside the Airport, and therefore lots of hotels to stay in. Most stay at Bewleys, Dublin Airport. 5. The closest port to Scotland which has a sailing to Dublin is either LIverpool or Birkenhead. (P&O I believe). 5. Ferries also go from Hollyhead to either Dun Laoire (South of Dublin) or directly into Dublin Port. 6. There is no limitations, restrictions or regulations for any of the ports mentioned in relation to the transport or importation of pigeons. Hope this helps, feel free to ask any questions if I can be of any further help. Best, Steve

AFAIK, prize money was labelled as "expected", and if not at this OLR then I have definitely seen it labelled as such at others. Essentially the prize money is directly linked to the entry, and it is well known that the smaller OLR's have been struggling with entries since the beginning of the recession. I don't think that it is as straightforward as false advertisin or misleading people. That is not an excuse to have libs like we saw on the vid, or for birds to be kept in poor health. The returns from this race, despite them running into poor conditions, are abysmal. If they were mine, I'd expect more than 66% back even at this late stage. Steve

Is that 2 pairs (5 birds) in the Scottish lingo ? LOL Nice looking birds - do the families fly the distance for you ? Thanks, Steve

PM Sent

Good luck George - I'm in the same boat as you tomorrow, the worry beads will be out. Hope you have a great race. Cheers, Steve

Find someone with an Aloe Vera plant - best remedy for any type of burn that I have ever encountered. (Tear a leaf off, and apply the juice / sap directly to the affected area). Worls with scalds, nettle burns, sunburn, etc etc. Relief within 45 mins almost always. Cheers, Steve

& Northern Ireland !

You mean LIDL ?? They sound reasonable at that price - just wonder whether they would last. Cheers, Steve

Wasn't it Mike Young that had a family which he called "The Spangles" ? They were notable for having frills and tufts, as well as being excellent distance birds. There are still some fanciers (mostly in the SE) that keep fairly strong and true families of these, as Mike Young passed away about 10 years ago AFAIK. Cheers, Steve