Outsider

Good luck Andy

Thank you. Makes me wonder if my stray is sound now. I too wouldn't know if it had that type of injury, I guess. Will this pigeon that they're talking about heal in time, even if not up to racing standard?

Pardon my ignorance but wots a keil?

good idea, Andy. Thanks. If anyone near Harewood is reading this, how about it? As you all, no doubt, know, its surprising how interested you can suddenly become. Today I noticed (and would never have done before) a very very striking exotic looking white and black pigeon high on a roof in Wakefield. It looked remarkably like some of the 'fancy ' sorts that are pictured on this site. And I guessed that too has strayed from its race route in the last few days. Must be a bit sickening when one doen't come back, I imagine.

Really? is that all I need - a rabbit hutch? Got a bit of a coal shed. Has a window but doesn't look like agreat place to live to me. Don't know if I can catch it now. Its getting a bit used to freedom and won't let me get quite so close to it whilst it eats. Think its taken a fancy to a pretty collared dove, actually. She's having none of it of course. Got to admit, I'm getting kinda interested in what it'd be like to take it short distances and watch it come back. Bet its a nice feeling isn't it? Cheers

Cheers Murphy, you're right, its a 2007 bird, I believe. Its breeding begins with J, and is supposed to be known for long distances. I will ask around, as you suggest. Do other non-fanciers get so hung up over these birds when they get one? I'm getting obsessed and now want to go on web sites to learn all about pigeons. I take it that stray ones usually end up tagging onto flocks of feral ones in towns? I see lots in town centres with rings on, often missing feet and all sorts. I don't want this one to go downhill after its epic flight over the weekend in the rains and winds. It deserves a good home.

Cheers. I will give it a day longer and if its still here I'll put an announcement on, asking for a local owner to come forward. Then discussions with current owner can commence. Its testing my resolve to have to ignore it hanging around by the kitchen door, looking for its supper. Thanks again.

Thanks Tammy-1. I did email RPRA, and they just confirmed owners name and phone number, and said he would advise me. I feel a bit sorry for him myself because this one of his birds has certainly got itself a long long way. He said he lost 9 on Saturday and had 7 phone calls, and can't afford £30 each time. You know more about the sport and whats what, though. Whats the protocol on these things. Could another birder around here take the bird on?

I have a stray pigeon here in Harewood, Nr Leeds. I spoke to the owner and he is in Somerset. He hoped the bird would take off for home after a couple of days but it doesn't look as though it will. Even though I have withdrawn food and water. Should I try grabbing it and taking it down the M1 for a bit and releasing it? I am worried that if I do that it might still not go home and come to harm instead. At least here it will probably be reasonably safe. I would love to get it delivered back to his owner but I can't afford it, nor can the chap who owns him. What do some of you experts think?

Wow, thanks ever so much. I just rang the tel number and spoke to them, and they are locating actual owner and calling back. Will keep you posted on what happens. It will be nice if the bird gets taken care of.

Not moved from my yard and bird table for last two or three days. Harewood near Leeds. Home of the red kite. Healthy looking pigeon, but a bit lost amongst the only other pigeons resident here - the collared doves and wood pigeons. I aren't a pigeon person so I haven't dared try to grab it and look closely atrings or markings, but it lets me stand very close whilst it feeds. Is its owner out there?

Thanks. Wish I had tried to catch it now. I took my cue though from all the regular old blokes who sit in the market square all the time amongst the pigeons, and none of them seemed to look twice at the ringed bird, so I thought I might be silly to feel curious. However it seemed a shame to think of someone missing it, and the bird looked as though it would be happier back home.

Saw lovely white pigeon/dove with flock of feral pigeons in Otley, West Yorkshire, today. Had yellow ring one leg. Looked slightly nervous and on periphery of flock. Don't know if someone will be able to guess its one of theirs?