Walter swanston

Lockerbie sent 181 pigeons to Lymn with the Solway

Last Sunday as a result of my own carelessness two young birds escaped from my loft.These pigeons had never been out before and had never seen the outside of the loft.They flew off and I gave them up for lost ,I searched everywhere for them but no sign at all.This morning after five days they have re_appeared.I have great hopes for them in about two years.

I have the good fortune to live in a beautiful area of South West Scotland which is popular with tourists anxious to have a glimpse of what is described as the magnificent and increasingly rare Peregrine Falcon ( the tourist board's words not mine)Which is why we are on a hiding to nothing and believe me I have tried.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a pigeon fancier as someone who keeps pigeons as pets This is a description which I have to confess certainly applies to me and it is an attitude which is treated with immense scorn by serious racers in the pigeon community.I have kept about 40 pigeons here all winter and have watched them flying around the place most days I know each bird individually and know their breeding and characteristics.As the racing season approaches and the inevitable day comes when they are dispatched to a race point I know some are not going to be seen again which I regret very muchSome may think this is a poor attitude but there you go would I be better with tumblers or something.

That is an excellent postFifer and a comprehensive guide for the way pigeonorganisations should be administered.Like yourself I have occupied several positions at club,federation and SHU level .It saddens me to say that nowadays it seems increasingly difficult to get guys to take up these jobs while the attendance at AGMs is derisory.

Same for me Michael I seldom sleep more than 5 hours.Ihavenot eaten breakfast for 50 years but survive on copious amounts of coffee..Like theFifer I will not see 85 again and I find my biggest problem is catching pigeons manual dexterity decreases with old age.

Interesting report in The Herald this morning commenting on the sad decline in the number of Peregrine Falcons in Scotland.While driving from Moffat to Lockerbie yesterday I saw a golden eagle in the sky over Wamphray.

Helped the thaw this morning with two 25 kilo bags of rock salt now officially knackered.

Thank you for that Andy, I already had told the SHU office that a trip to theAlona looked doubtful this Sunday I got two feet of snow on the drive.

As the administration of the law with regard to the countyyside and wildlife is devolved to the Scottish Parliament and in England retained by Westminster, this males it virtually impossible for all the unions to sing from the same hymn sheet.Soory about this Tommy but I spent about 20 years of my life facing up to councils and national and regional authorities pleading the case for the pigeon fancy in writing and in person and all to no avail I might have been better taking up dominoes

Yeah really love the bit about how the illegal killing of raptors is depriving members of the public from observing these magnificent birds of prey swooping on pigeons and others.

My son and his wife are with me at the moment from their work in China for a Chinese New Year break,eating me out of home makes a break for them from dining on pig's ears and dugs.

Good year to be born son.

My boxer dog has an absolute loathing of cats and a nearvye colony of crows mob sparrowhawks on sight,not perfect but helpful.

I have always had a boxer dog about the place,never ever had a cat problem

Too auld now tae go doon the street stay at home and watch the telly with my auld freen Johnny Walker.

I wish all members of pigeons basics all the very best for 2018 it is my belief that pigeon fanciers are the salt of the earth.

That's heresy Mr.Hay

I would rather cut my throat with a rusty knife.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all pigeon fanciers on the best pigeon site in the U.K.I wish you all great success in the 2018 season and in the larger world could this be Scotland's year. ALBA GO BRAGH

Sorry about this I get confused with computers sometimes my last entry was in reply to Mr.Gullane's post

Well good luck with that one,I have lost count of the number of times I have called for volunteers to fill important administrative posts in the Pigeon fancy to no avail.Please forgive my cynicism.

Tommy,I have been trying to combat apathy in the administration of pigeon racing in Scotland for years with an astounding lack of success.The few members that attended our AGM today is nothing short of a disgrace. But I have always stood against secrecy and furtiveness in our dealings.In conclusion I can tell you I would like nothing more to be replaced by someone younger but there is a definite shortage of volunteers.

Absolutely.I told everyone at the Solway AGM in November.