Walter swanston

OK I have given this a lot of thought and the bottom line is the pigeons which bore the ETS rings have been killed and eaten by falcons.If the rings can be retrieved from the nests of peregrines and the choice is ether throw them in the bin or use them on another pigeon it becomes to use the current expression a " no brainier".

Yes you are quite correct Pigeon Man. I see it as a conflict between practicality and morality.i Yes you are quite correct Pigeon Man. I see it as a conflict between practicality and morality.i

Several times in the past few years I have had strays in my loft, I have contacted the owner who shows no interest in having the bird returned to him.Occasionally the stray will have an ETS ring on its leg.I ALWAYS ask the owner if he wants the ring sent to him.So far no one has ever taken up the offer.

Absolutely positive,guys in the birds of prey preservation business are extremely secretive over this business and categorically refuse to admit to finding life rings and I know this attitude does not square with having ETS rings

Just to make it clear I personally am not using these ETS rings but I might be placed in situation where I could be asked to register them.There are no identification rings either SHU or RPRA involved here

Question: if a fancier asks to register his birds onto an ETS system with electronic rings retrieved from the nests of peregrines is this acceptable?

I would like 50'most will go to the ever present peregrines ,if I have 20 young birds at the start of autumn 2014 all I can do is shrug my shoulders and accept it,however breeding ain't going too great, so I will likely buy some in.Aint't pigeon racing great.

Yeah,well I am sick of the b******** and I will probably buy in young birds this year.

I have the same problem,birds have laid not too bad but some refuse to sit their eggs,I have tried shutting them in the box but they only stand about looking miserable and totally ignore the eggs in the bowl, this has gone on for a week now?..

One of my pairs have laid two eggs about the size of peanuts, never had this before???

Usual strong wind and rain so far I ain't seen any prime ministers stomping about in green WELLIES promising us that money will be no object.

Thank you for your birthday greetings,my better half released some funds for my birthday and I was straight on the phone to a guy down in Alnwick to try and buy 12 young birds so fingers crossed

Tell you what Michael, I have had no less than three computer loft programmes and I reckon a written record on paper is better for all sorts of reasons

Yeah they like to grab a doo and wrestle a rubber off its leg.The pigeons love it I bet and that makes them "real" pigeon fanciers

It's no great problem man Crosshouse is a good hospital

I agree with all comments.Next week I will be 81 years old and a cancer survivor,early intervention can save your life I just wish old age could make me a better pigeon fancier.

I worked them shifts for 31 years they seriously f*** up your digestion and sleep patterns for the remainder of your life but good luck anyway

Very philosophical Mr. Old Yellow, I will remind myself of that tomorrow when my fingers start to turn blue.Good luck to you and all the dedicated fanciers anyway.

I am probably not doing this right but spent yesterday and today out in that loft trying to fix the boxes and medicate the birds prior to pairing up my hands were about dropping aff me with the cauld very tempted to wait till it's warmer guess I ain't dedicated enough this game is supposed to be fun.

Take up dominoes

On this matter as in so many others it is very clear that emotionally and politically and intellectually Scottish public opinion is separating from England.this is a fact which should be clear to any thoughtful observer.Wether or not that is to be welcomed depends on your point of view.m

See amazing double page picture in today's Guardian page24