Novice

in the early 70's I had some Mc Ivor grizzles from 2 fanciers in Lochwhinnoch. Adam Train who was a friend of Peter Mc Ivor and Bob Jamieson who was ex fed secretary. They also had Grizzles from Bill Whitelaw of Thornliebank. Although they seemed different types to me they thought that both families had been bred through a source in Baillieston where Masons 1210 originated. I believe John Cosgrove had some of the Mc Ivor blood. Good hardy honest pigeons.

I have passed Menwith hill several times. This installation is huge. It was designed by Raytheon who also design and manufacture Patriot missiles. They are experts in this field. The base is, I believe, an early warning system which can spot missiles with a view to interception. To do this the beams must span hundreds of miles and be very powerful. I would expect that pigeons which are on an established line of flight would be less likely to be affected than those which were just finding their bearings. We will never know whether or not this establishment can contribute to our losses.

We will never know whether or not RAF Menwith hill contributed to this disaster but the possibility is worth considering when we next formulate race programs. Despite the name it is American owned and manned. I believe all equipment is focused in an easterly direction. For those of you who have never seen this establishment I believe there are some images available on the net.

I had 2 injured and 3 missing Friday morning due to an attack. I think August is the worst month for this.

It tastes great but needs a charge of caffeine

I think the rule was made to stop potential cheting. Pooler rrives home late. Take the rubber off and place in your pocket. After the clocks have been checked and thimbles returned to you tell the clock setter that there were 2 birds in your first thimble. Produce the thimble from your pocket containing the rubber from the pooler. That is what I was told when the rule was introduced. Could be codswallop.

Thanks good of you to post this.

At the moment I have 30 from 41----well peeved off. My main pooler which has not been out the clock all season is still to come. I expected a testing race into the wind from just over 100 miles. In my opinion we may have clashed with the Yorkshire North roaders,

Just shows how difficult it is to predict. Ayrshire Federation released at 09:00 into a West North Westerly wind at Berwick-upon-Tweed.

A later lib will do me I see the Yorhshire North Roaders are away at 08:00 at Dunbar. You love the early morning stint.

very cold here and the birds will be coming straight into it. I haven't seen a dry road here for 2 weeks. Poor dog trailing it out in that weather. I hope it has a coat.

Limited sunshine and showers in West Scotland. Cold in the breeze.

All these early libs and it's like a winter's day here in the West of Scotland. I hope it air heats up soon.

depends where you are racing from. Directly into the wind then postponement is a possible. I appreciate your position also living in a westerly location.

Personally I choose to leave them in the loft till the last minute as this gives them the best chance of a drink before they go. Leaving them in the basket from Friday morning is like giving them a 1 day hold over. It could serve to motivare some I suppose but impossible to say really.

So we all realise now that a drought will not help our plight.

Not decided yet. I would like to send them all 50 in total but the forecast wind is abit strong for my likeing. Straight into a 20-25 mph west wind seems asking a bit much.

Interesting combination let us know how you get on. I think Garlic solution may be acidic but whether or not it is acidic enough to react with the Bicarb. I could not be sure.

I'm no expert at telling if a bird is about to lay but if there is a doubt I would leave her at home especially a youngster

It will be interesting to see where others turn up and might help officials to draw some conclusion as to what went wrong.

Good where are they?

Very few strays are reported now. That is a fact. I believe that fewer than previously are returned through the stray centre. I believe that fanciers are just as co-operative as they have always been so does this mean that very few enter strange lofts? I think that a great deal of our losses are due to the fact we live on an Island and many of the youngsters are drowned. I feel many (for whatever reason) continue flying with no sense of direction till they can go no further. Unfortunately for some this occurs when they are over water.

Ayrshire North Road do and I think they had a sticky race at the weekend to

Years ago on the old west route there was always potential for clashing beyond Lancaster. The Welsh North Roaders were thought to be the culprits then. Now on the east side there is more congestion than there ever was on the West. No I am not proposing any route. That's a decision for the individual organisations but we all need to think the matter through before the AGMs.

The establishment to which I refered is the FYLINGDALES Balistic Missile Tracking Station. Google it and have a look. These are huge radar devices. I wonder if any abnormal activity from here could interfere with homing instinct. It's not new and has been there from 1960 I think. I think the name Menwith hill also refers.