rasbull

I have 48 weaned off, of which 10 went out for the first time today. I plan to start training in a couple of weeks. I also plan to bred 30 late breds which I will race next year. Looking forward to getting on the road now!

Comeback race from Newbury (97 miles) with the Rhondda Valley Federation. Will be sending my 1 cock as he is need of the race!

For sure! But at least if you knew he was heading towards Mcdonalds 200 miles from home for a spot of lunch you could stop praying hours in advance! (Plus you could give him a good talking to that Mcdonalds are a no-no on race days!) :D :D

Do you think time will come when the birds have GPS trackers attached to each bird in the race so the owners can see exactly where their birds are on a race day? I know GEM have a GPRS tracking system that shows the route the bird has taken but you can only see when the bird comes home and you download the information. I would love to be able to race a 350-400 mile race and see exactly where the birds are at any given moment. I am sure the technology will be available in the future, but the biggest question is the price of such a system! Who knows, but it would certainly make pigeon racing that more interesting that's for sure!

I got mine from Boddy and Ridewood a few years back. Took ages to comes though (about 4 months in total.) I know they still do them but would try Taylors Choice and see if they do them as I now use them for my equipment as far better service than Boddy and Ridewood.

Just heard 2 blokes in my club have each had 1 bird. Timed in at 1.55pm

Anyone know of any birds making it home as yet? If not what are peoples guesses at the winning velocity? I am going to go for 1200ypm.

Although I agree with Mick think if the public see's the carnage themselves we are at least fighting on all fronts! It costs nothing, takes hardly any time and once the public see the devastation with their own eyes via facebook it is something that will stick in their minds for a long time!

The facebook group 'Save our songbirds' now has 699 members! I wish everyone would contribute to the site and help our cause! Save our Songbirds Facebook Action Page

Yeah 5.30am into a light a variable wind!

Yeah the birds away at 5.30am. Good luck to all. Please post early times. Cheers

Just posted on the Facebook action page a clip of Jeremy Clarkson on 'Have I got news for you' commenting on the effect the sparrowhawks are having on the songbirds in this country! The link to the page is:- Save our Songbirds Facebook Page All good publicity! ;)

Happy birthday Paul. Enjoy yourself whatever you get up to!

Smoke like a trooper! Work out the velocities for certain times so I know when the optimum time to get one is going to be! I start at 1760ypm and then work out every ten minutes from there. I don't do it in advance just while waiting and clock watching. I like to clean the birds out prior to them arriving back and then watch the skies! I never see any birds going over on a race day where I live, so as soon as I see one I know it has to be mine!

Very impressed with Taylors Choice. Used them now several times and each time the delivery seems to get faster! I ordered 3 bags of corn 11am, and they were with me the following day! I always used Boddy and Ridewood but their customer service and delivery times fall a long way short in comparison to Taylors Choice. Keep up the good work!

If you are unlucky enough to get hit on the first training toss then I reckon losses will be massive. If you are lucky enough to get them a good few then you have a better chance of more making it home when you do get hit. Just got to keep fingers crossed I guess!

Can someone please tell me also - I know the Welsh North Road transport the Welsh National Flying Club birds but who transports the Welsh South East National birds? Also how many different federations make up the Combine and what federations are they please?

I have been looking over the results of some of the races the last few weeks. I know there are 2 Nationals on the South East route for Welsh birds - The Welsh National Flying Club and the Welsh South East National. However, do people believe winning the combine is better than one of these Nationals? I would just like to know what people think about this?

It certainly has taken a hit since the change. I personally didn't come on much after the change, but now back to logging on as soon as I sit at the computer. I feel others will do the same given time. I must admit some things are better on the new site, but can't help feeling the layout looks poor. I don't know about others but on my computer it is very badly setout. You have words overlapping others (on the very first part of the site, the latest updates etc). I feel the actual message board looks great and an improvement on the old. However, the gallery and the latest news and the recently added topics are badly laid out. I feel the gallery is taking up too much room so you have to scroll down too far until you hit the main board. If there could be a way to just have the latest posts and then directly below the actual message board I feel this would be a big improvement on the current lay out. JMO. But I think people will come back in time!

How many members have entered into this years Europa Classic and under what names have you entered?

No problem Ron, Anytime. Hope all is well now.

Sorry to hear the owner had that attitude Mark. It makes genuine pigeon fanciers mad that there is a small majority in the pigeon sport who sadly share the attitude of the fancier you described. I can assure you the vast majority of fanciers would only have been to glad for the care you have shown this bird had it been one of theirs. I reported one the other day who shared the same attitude but for everyone you get like that you get 5 that are only to grateful. Indeed I reported one the other night and the bloke travelled 50 miles within 3 hours of me making contact with him. He had lost 60 in one training toss and had 5 reported and had collected them all. I hope you will continue to report any that come into your garden and the vast majority would be very grateful. Thank you for your efforts and may I apologise on behalf of this person. In his defence, a lot of birds do just need a little help, a bit of food and water and they go on there way and make a safe return to their loft but as you said the bird appeared injured and therefore the person should have given this matter more attention than he obviously did. Richard Shepherd www.Rasbull-lofts.co.uk

I am of the same opinion. I have not come on here as much. But getting more used to it now. I click the link at the bottom of the page which gives you all the latest posts and threads etc. I liked the 6 or 8 thread box which highlighted the latest discussions on the old forum. I agree that not as many are using the site at present (or dont appear to be) but things change and you either more with the times or get left behind! So its a case of having to get used to it I guess. Some of the features are better and others are going to take time to get used to. Still a great site though! :)

76 miles is my first race flying South East. I am the most northern flyer in the fed, and want them to have a good education in the area I am looking for them to break otherwise they are going to follow the main drag of the birds and fly into the South Wales Valleys and then I don't stand a chance! My club is 20 miles south of me, so feel I really need to work on the area I am currently training from to have any real chance of getting amongst the cards.

well done Paul, good returns for you mate. Good luck on the result!