Merlin

Perfectly normal because if possibile its a lower form of life than SCUM,and its at times like this I hope there is an element of truth in the old adage "What goes round comes round" its the work of sick depraved persons .

We have a scource of communication available to us Pigeon Sites,and birds of prey are a topicial subject on most of them,agree as regards a small band of fanciers,what if we were to organize most fanciers,racers ,fancy,gamekeepers bird groups thats aware of the dangers overpopulation is causing and then go along Jimmys route,

I suppose we should ask Hinge & Brackett seen as two old dears are back in circulation again.

What about an alternate race programe/time wise

No doubt it Just Ask Me,you have actually nailed whats probably the kernel of this problem,racing pigeons,racing time coincides nicely with raptors breeding cycle,with a ready supply of protein available at all time,consequently all raptors are given oppertunity to breed and rear full and healthy nests,many of these couldnt /wouldnt be capable of doing so if their main food supply was removed at such a crucial time,raptors are like any other species,good hunters/bad hunters with more of the latter than the former,its this artificial top class scource of easily available protein i.e our pigeons thats creating this bonanza for them. have look at to days problems,what can you imagine it to be in five years time ?

Cuhsy never at any time did I ever mention breaking the law,regardless of what you think of it,its the law,now theres many other avenues you can go down with out breaking laws. There is no law against flying an Eagle Owl,watch the reaction of ANY other B.O.P. if they should encounter each other,your own eyes are your best experience,so try and watch it, this is just one method,no laws against it,and if it might escape,heaven forbid,it then may breed in the wild,and lo and behold,their offspring are then safe under a European Wildlife Bill.

As theyare my charges responsible for them in every way,I will defend them against all predators in any way I can,with apoligies to no one,and I would expect any fancier to do likewise,posibily its our "passive acceptance" of these thats most of the problem.

Agree with you Cushy but its not about me and you sadly, at this stage its almost everywhere now, there are many that dont,posts do prove this, and if any fanciers can glean some solid infor as regards lessening these instances,now or in the future,by whatever means,this surely cant be such a bad thing

By this token as regards above,you appear to have no problem with fanciers loft and birds being feeding tables for the B.P.P.

Alan You should really post this on its own thread,you are right Ken,but I think it was a genuine mistake as its his first post.

Real sorry to hear this Alan,have you got any more info,how many,what are,etc,maybe somebody might come up with something soon.

Irish Homin Union webpage contains this info for last three seasons with clubs and Sec contact numbers,agree with Rose & Gangster definitely makes it a lot easier,and a positive step, but at the end of the day again its down to fanciers.

Cushy Doo Why would you find this advice shocking,asking because its something I would also recommend,just curiious,maybe you have a better method.

Well done David both pictures in this instance says it all, and are testimony to your care,devotion,regarding this bird,whatever you do Its a very lucky bird it found you.

As owners and fanciers it sends out a bad image of the sport in general,especially to the public non fanciers,when birds are not reported/collected regardless of their ability,they are our responsibility,and in answer to original question its the fancy in general thats at fault,so time to start looking at our own practice,.

Fantails are best making sure its well trained,from hand to trap ,straight in only.

Got to agree with you Jimmy 100%,birds are apparently in a permanent nervous state a lot of the time,scared of everything it seems, a seagull at a distance can have then freezing like gun dogs,until its idintified, can you begin to imagine what it will be like some years down the road,the way these killers are being allowed to breed unhindered,encouraged by the law of the land,within a few years these hawks will be rampant everywhere,and self presevation being paramount for all species,within a couple of years,racing will be a no no,after a couple of near misses,racing goes out of abirds head,you will see this with birds to day ones that have been attacked,they are reluctant to leave the basket when training,we as fanciers have to take some responsibility for matters being as bad as they are,with no direction or very little leadership from most unions,Bilco has been advocating against hawks for at least twenty years,did we listen,are we even listening now,individual resistance is just a drop in the ocean,it will have to be done as a collective body,i,e,all fanciers everywhere,no point burying our head in the sand,hoping it goes away,it wont,it will only get worse,look at response on this site alone,to a bad situation that will eventually affect all fanciers. ?

Very nice Tariq, and well done Ted

All the best Boomerang,hope everything works out well for you.

Many thanks Jack,same thoughts as regards fifth circle/adaption,didnt know but it might be due to possibile angle of photograph,all things being equal Jack whats the first circle your eye is drawn to when evaluating eyes,mine is fifth,always for some reason first I examine,just my opinion many thanks again for such a prompt reply.

Jack what would your evaluation of above eye be, and expectations,in breeding loft,be grateful if you might post same,if occassion arises. Thank You

In most cases I dont have a problem reporting any bird that has a contact no,its birds that have to be kept in and housed for 14 days and are your responsibility now that I have a problem with,yet this is what your Union requires you to do,goes to show how out of touch they are with reality.

Very impressive eye,and an exceptional cluster,the bees knees no doubt,how am I fixed for a set of late breds from this one Jack,

Not being anyway connected with Show birds,not yet anyway,this thread is a splendid advertisment for same,very practical and knowledgeable input,keep it going,as we are all capable of learning.

Just a suggestion,why not a profile page with relevent details of all members,I dont have a problem with posting my details,just my opinion,what do others think