blucock

blaz, they would all cross the channel at the same points at likes of Ypres where they are only a short spin from the channel. The west and north birds will follow the line of the drag, ie at least 2/3 of the convoy in the main, many north birds will hang with south birds and west birds will hang with east... for example a bird in a batch of 3 or 4 wont break off and head west of the pennines and up over the solway into west - most likely it will head over the border at an easterly point and might carry on as far as edinburgh before breaking out where there is a corridor. Would be interesting to see, as you will see that the west birds are regularly many hours behind the east and the only explanation is they take a long loop round. all the best, i wold like to see the trackers brought in, we have to learn what is costing so many birds. Baz

Gareth, how many Newbiggings are there, one in Dundee and one in East Lothian..... not in the west

So when we race from Ypres on a saturday , how does that avoid clashing?? The birds I believe run along the coastline to France before crossing - is there a chance of clashing there. I recall a couple of years ago dozens of birds reported that never left the continent...

In Rosscommon, get in touch if yours/clubs? Baz

The English birds from Messac seemed to get good races - they went a couple of hours after the Scotish birds, maybe the channel was blocked where our birds tried to cross? Every race is a question mark, and convoyers can't win. Conditions looked fine and other organisations had good races this weekend even from Messac, Tarbes etc Hope the birds work in these are hardy birds with iron constitutions or they wouldnt be there (unlike the idiot on another forum who sent 5 to Tarbes 3 of which were going in the pail and he didnt bother if he got them or not). Onward to Ypres , the long range forecast looks excellent, altho i still dont know why not a friday lib to give the fanciers more chance of a weekend race.... Good luck all Baz

Also found please get in touch Baz

Hi all, someone is missing this old boy. Any ideas?? Baz

East wind is a problem?? So, what do we do - only lib when the wind suits the east coast ie 80% plus of the time? You will know how the west coast birds have to work when the winds west or SW.... The 4th June was a disaster and there's no way 50% of the convoy made it back. This was nothing to do with the wind but with solar activity - the whole of the UK got hammered, but please don't insult the intelligence with 50% returns quotes The SNFC team did a good job in the main, birds that homed were disorintated and well flown, but in good condition. The K factor needs to be heeded. LOL at J Murphy hijacking the subject "trying to educate the back garden fancier".... thanks oh great one, we all idiots (not) Good luck with your National flying in the coming weeks all. Baz

Aye right enough he gets nearly 40 mile from Annan! Great measurement in the wind helping. Out on its own that pigeon was obv in tip-top order! Looks very very hard to beat

Thought we'd know the NFC MNFC etc seem to know the same day. Looks like between R Rome and W Gray going by times?? Good pigeons into Lanarkshire at 2041 but wont touch the East lofts

Usually we will know or be able to specualte on 1st and 2nd ...?

Anyone know the top 10 open positions yet?

Nothing in Ayrshire looks like, wasn't likely with the wind but got as far as Johnstone late on so hope for early morning, altho its a bit of a lottery on the 2nd day. Looks like a good race for the East and Central feds. Rough with the smooth... Baz

where are you Gary, what distance mate? well done btw

What times / speeds are they making??

Thats the plan Gareth! Only trouble is we have 2 janssen cocks - if only we'd put a bit of aarden in there , we shall see they could surprise, we were hoping for a 9hr race... but they have been prepped for allsorts hopefully Good luck fellas

if you time in 9hrs in Lanarkshire go and have a large drink to celebrate ! If you beat 10 1/2 it will be a goodun

We're in SW (Ayrshire so can start looking about 2130 tonight - definite 2 day race above edinburgh/glasgow esp on west Best of British to you all Baz

1045 west wind, 10 hrs plus into Ayrshire..... my guess, what you all think?

if they're up at 11 then may be a day bird or two in Ayrshire tho highly unlikely - you lads might have another half hour of light and a more helping wind but will take a very good one... must be doubtful if they arent looking every hour - thought they would look every hour, but seems not - my mate in Eastbourne says wind is SSW at moment which would help but showery

Looking unlikely for day birds into Ayrshire now, nothing til 1130am

Hi Lindsay, the National doos will hang to the east side of the country anyway mate, can't see them heading for Cumbria except the odd doo that breaks out with just a few miles to push - the start of the race is much more important than the hame end (jmo) Baz

Let us know what kind of race you get mate, we are holding on the South road cos of rain in the north/border area i believe. Best of luck

Any lib that takes the birds welfare into account is the best lib Gareth well said mate. At the end of the day we as fanciers all want what suits us - you have the birds at heart mate, and thats called class. Have a top race, whenever we get them up lads an lassies Baz