tequilaskylark

Thank you ever so much! Thats fantastic :-) Really inspiring! Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Hi I was wondering if people that race pigeons could tell me why they race them? Not the reasons behind keeping them etc, but the actual feelings you get when you race pigeons. The emotional side to racing them. The reason you spend money on keeping the pigeons, training them, and the time you put into it etc... Is it purely to fly your pigeons or for the competitive sport and winning. Or do you actually get more out of it. What made you go into pigeon racing in the first place? Many thanks in advance to anyone who is kind enough to reply.

Hi Thanks again to everyone for your help and useful information. It is much appreciated! I was wondering, for those kind enough to attach photos, would you mind if i used one or two too show the disastrous effects Sparrowhawks have had on your pigeons? I have recently been reading Tooth and Claw by Peter Cairns & Mark Hamblin, there is a chapter in the book about Pigeons and raptors. Very interesting, especially to hear the points of view from members of the NEHU and RPRA. Definitely worth a read! It must be nice for pigeon fanciers to see their side of the argument aired! As for my spelling, i do my best, but i have to say texting on the phone probably doesn't help. Also i kind of rely, on spell check flagging up any mistakes. So if there are mistakes, i blame the P.C :-) My dissertation is coming on well now and i have 2000 words, i ended up with 109 completed questionnaires. My goal was 100, so thats fantastic! Many thanks again, i really do appreciate all of your help. Beth

Thanks to everyone for filling in the questionnaire, and also for all the help you have given me. Of course i will send you my findings. Thanks again, It really is appreciated. Beth

HI I am completely happy to have my identity examined, and i completely understand your views now. I didn't know that other people had joined groups like this before to get information and then use it against you. I am willing to answer any questions you want me to, in order to show you i am genuine. Or if you just don't want to be bothered with me, i won't be be offended either. Im sorry you have all had such a rough time with protecting your birds, however i am just trying to write a good dissertation with more than just the one side. I have tried to get in contact with the RSPB in the past, with regards to research. They just sent me back an automated reply which basically said to join their forum. (which i did) So i didn't find them at all helpful! I can assure you, my dissertation will not appear online anywhere. Unless of course it's purely because of my great writing skills, securing me a 1st! :-) LOL Please anyone who has witnessed a Sparrowhawk hunting, look at my questionnaire and fill it in. I think if you see the questions in it, you will realise i'm not pulling any sort of scam and i am genuinely interested in them. Many thanks Beth

Hi Thanks for your reply, see this is the side i haven't come across before! This is exactly the sort of research which is relevant and very useful to me, to show that the Sparrowhawks are not quite so nice as people make out! Thats a hell of a lot of birds! I haven't seen the article 'Rod Adams' wrote this week, is there anywhere i could view a copy? Many thanks Beth

Hi Thank you for your reply, i really do appreciate it! I hope to see the bigger picture and see whats really going on. I think its crazy that you can't protect your own birds, i don't see why thats a problem with the law?! As i said before i have dogs, and would do anything to protect them. I also know how attached i am to them and if someone told me (law or otherwise) that i couldn't protect them i wouldn't be happy!!! Thanks again Beth

Thank you for believing me, i honestly am just trying to get the whole picture. I don't believe it would be fair to just show the one side of the argument and plus i wouldn't get very good marks either :-) Many thanks Beth

Hi Thanks for your reply, this is what i'm interested in seeing. The different side to the argument, they is plenty of research out there about Sparrowhawks from scientists like Ian Newton... However this only shows one side, i am hoping to be completely unbiased in my dissertation and provide the facts and different points of view. It seems there's not much about Sparrowhawks causing problems, like you are suggesting. Thank you for your help. Beth

Hi Yes the tale of the name tequilaskylark is its my dogs name. Well Tequila 'Quila' is, and the breeder gave her an official name which is Skylark, so tequilaskylark. And yes i have seen Skylark's in Cornwall, quite a few times, especially on fieldtrips for uni work. Im doing a marine and natural history photography course, so have photographed them a few times. Everytime i go to Godrevy, i see them there. They are one of the more common birds i see surprisingly. Many thanks Beth

Hi Thank you for your reply. Its really helpful. Sorry it seems my post hasn't gone done too well. Im sorry about that, i didn't mean to course any upset or suspician. I am a student, just researching Sparrowhawks. I do not at the moment have enough information to make an informed decision on their 'methods' I hope to include both sides of the arguement of Sparrowhawks hunting, in my dissertation, and it seems you all have very strong views on them and their hunting habits. Please i am a genuine student, just trying to get as many responses to my questionnaire as possible. i have had doubts on one of the other forums i joined too, but they asked me some questions and it seems were happy with my answers. The reasons i joined all those forums is to simply get as many people to fill out my questionnaire as i possibly can. I am really sorry to cause such problems, however i really hope you can see that i am genuine and will help me out. Many thanks Beth

Hi Thanks for your reply. My Course is, BA (Hons) Marine and Natural History Photography. Here is the online questionnaire: http://www.eSurveysPro.com/Survey.aspx?id=8fcdcd23-3112-4c4a-b569-3bead914e1df Please fill it in, if you have seen a Sparrowhawk hunting successfully or unseccessfully. If there are any problems with the questionnaire let me know Many thanks Beth

Hi Im Beth and i am a University student. I am in my 3rd (final) year, and i have decided to write my dissertation on the 'threats and opportunities for Sparrowhawks' I hope you don't mind me joining this forum, however any advice you can give me about Sparrowhawks is greatly appreciated.What you think of them, and how they affect you and your birds... I have also created a questionnaire about Sparrowhawks hunting. I would really appreciate it if you would take the time to fill it out. Also if you know anyone else who has seen a Sparrowhawk hunting, please pass on my request. Any help is massively appreciated! Many Thanks Beth