Novice

The wording on the initial post simply highlights exactly why the English are the most hated nation in the world

I believe Walters and Broadhurst also raced these birds and I think Corketts als had some of these bloodlines. W&B originated from Pelsall I think. I have topped the Fed. from 500 miles with a Porter and Richardson bird on a hard day but that was an exceptional pigeon.

Yes Gareth but why should we have missed this opportunity. We shpuld really be thinking about ways to make the sport cheaper not line someone's pocket. By the way I was sent a photo of your dad in Canada visiting my mate Jimmy Reid. If you would like it send me your e-mail address and I will forward it.

Many fanciers introduced this system to give them an advantage in short races. Now most fanciers are buying to catchup on the originals. For me it's simpler than that. I just won't pool in early races so they won't have any of my money. ETS companies are like Gillette---they would gladly give you a razor free because they make their money from selling blades. Oh for some foresight in our governing bodies.

Not at all the choice would always have been there. The Unions were much to anxious to introduce the system through the back door and as a result missed the opportunity to give some of the profit back to the fancy. Yet another example of mismanagement.

I feel that the ETS rings should have initially sold through the Unions. That would allow them to not only regulate the price but also keep a small portion of the revenue. This was a big mistake when the system was introduced.

Yes we all do our best for the birds to supply the fuel. Unfortunately on a long holdover at the distance much of our good work in null and void (I did say much and not all) because the feed in the transporter is completely different from what we would choose to feed birds in the last 2 or 3 days before liberation.

I don't actually wan it, I just feltb with the combination of drugs it would be illegal here.

Can it be legally purchased in tis country?

At the moment the use of "Mylar" tape is being evaluated. This is a reflective strip of tape which comes in strips abput 2 inches wide. It is hung around the gardens. At the moment there have been no conclusions drawn on whether or not this works. The alternative is the dummy Eagle Owl. Both of these remedies should be placed on the normal flight path of the predator to be fully effective. These are about the only legal measures we can take.

The SHU Sparrowhawk survey have recently caught and rehomed "several Sparrowhawks". The method used was that after a kill has been made to place a trap on the spot where the kill was made and the dead pigeon was then placed inside the trap and the Sparrowhwk caught. This reinforces the fact they always return and seems to work.

Don't take up the pen---use a P.C. and the spell check will work wonders for what you write. It will make it understandable---it will never improve the logic of it.

A friend of mine who wins as many races as anyone in Scotland always sends old birds with them. Not only does he send old birds but they are top racers which have remained in training so they are fit. This is to teach the youngsters to come straight home on the preferred line and to trap immediately on arrival.

In my opinion he is overpriced Does he win races or is he a skilled salesman?

Hotrod---I don't suppose there are prizes for guessing the name of theoretical fed.

I have heard the lime in drinking water preventative several times. Without knocking it I would just like to say that this is doing the exact opposite from adding cider vinegar to the drinker. One makes the water acidic and the other makes it alkaline.

The simple fact is that people will believe this because they don't know any better

I absolutely agree with this comment but finances are paramount at the moment but the bonus is that returns should be better

I did a talk once for a Rotary Club. Visual aids are so important especially for children. A couple of birds they can stroke would be good. Emphasise the difference between racers and feral. Include show birds with an example if possible. Mention charity donations particularly for the benefit of adults present.

Something to hope for I suppose the thin end of the wedge. Unfortunately a great deal of data is being lost now due to the snow.

It just wouldn't work. You have absolutely no idea how much influence this organisation have. I have a list of environmental jobs sent to me weekly. On this the RSPB advertise at least 10 jobs each week with salaries of about £20k. They are major employers. Some of these jobs are simply to monitor bird of prey nesting sites in season. Once I had a Sparrowhawk in my loft and wrote to my M.P. asking that I should be given the right to protect what was mine on my property. I, in turn, had a letter from Donald Dewar enclosing a nice booklet on birds of prey and warning me about the potential for prosecution should I take the law into my own hands. I think what the SHU are trying to prove is that- 1 Deterrants don't work. 2 We do lose birds to these predators. 3 That nuisance birds can be caught and relocated and continue normal lives in a new location. This would allow the use of Larssen traps under licence for relocation purposes. This is the best we can achieve at the moment and would be the initial step. Point 3 I will leave open to interpretation.

What colour was Dordin's pigeon Scout---I think it was Mealy

If the birds are not vaccinated against it never discount Paramixo. They don't always show the twisted neck symptom now.

Peat is pretty acidic. It is used to prepare soil for acidloving plants. I would be careful.

I think I read on here it was due to the company moving premises and the new ones requiring a new licence to manufacture the vaccine. At the time I thought that was strange as it has been unavailable for so long.