THE FIFER

will also have a space please

a bit more going on yesterday, they were having problems with the outboard engine on that one, click to enlarge

many happy returns,have a nice day

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well

was late on so not many there. playing around with the camera, 3 rigs lying out there now; pic 1 is Lower Largo where Robinson Crusoe was born click to enlarge

many happy returns, have a nice day

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well ,

The Joe Murphy Column Received an email from George Briggs of Dundee who wrote ‘Hi Joe, Reading your column about Dave Smith, as a matter of interest Dave was 1st Scottish 1000 mile club in the same race as my hen. He timed on the last day before the race closed, and my hen was sitting on the watering can when I came home for lunch the following day and ended up being 2nd, have forwarded you a copy of my 1000 mile certificate, great memories Joe hope all is well, yours George George Briggs diploma Red Cock covered in oil see text Red Cock now after his moult see text Selem Special One Loft Race Received an email from Brad Foster from the Canadian Magazine regarding the above One Loft Race regarding some information he received from Rick which he thought would be of interest to pigeons fanciers. Rick wrote; ‘Things have been rather hectic. Five trips to the airport this week plus one trip north, one trip east, loads meeting at Burger King, seeing Dale at the border and then those that come to the house. On top of that, Arlis and I are changing the layout of the loft a bit. We've adding more perches in odd places such as over windows over doors and along the tops of every wall that doesn't have perches on it. More places for them to call their own. So far we have added oodles of little spots which give us a total of 1688 actual perches. Still, when I go in after dark to tuck them into bed, all the front sun wall has birds sitting on the cross sills. They just have to find a different spot to snooze. At present, more than a thousand birds are in the loft. Each night I try to update the list [some nights I just stare at the screen pretending I am awake]. The birds are out every day for at least six hours. With us in the loft so much, most find their way out. Group 2 has been out for three days and they are also starting to fly with group one. Baths are a daily ritual as is picking in the grass. With us inside so much, the hawk has managed to pick a couple of the roof. When he hits, we can hear the birds scramble and take to the air. Lift off sounds like an elephant landed on the roof. Must be their wings slapping on the metal. All this driving has worn out my driver. Sunday am saw us at the airport at 6 and in the evening at 9. The drive back and forth takes 5 hours. Our truck is being rebuilt and the rental can only be driven by her. Last time she'll go to rent a vehicle. She is adamant I keep my hands off it. When she recoups and when Arlis and I complete our adjustments in the loft, Linda will take videos of the birds in and outside the loft and you can see what we have accomplished. Actually had a cup of coffee with friends this week, six feet apart of course and out on the deck in the sun. So nice to sit and chat or in my case [deaf] sit and shout. Rick. The birds are out every day. The group gets larger with more and more finding their way out. They have become very comfortable with three of us working in and around the loft and are now a pain having to move them out of the way before we can clean. We have another employee. Her name is Georgia and she helps clean and feed the birds. On Sunday, Dr Rubin took samples from the birds to check for any underlying issues. On Thursday, May 14, I will be in Cornwall at 9 am to pick up east side birds, meeting me at the Irving Service Centre. On the way back, I will stop anywhere you want to meet along the 401. I will be in Toronto this week. There are flights coming from four different areas but as of today, I don't know the days or the times. Please check here often and I will post as soon as I know. Please read this carefully in fact read it twice. I do not enjoy giving you this news. This is not just happening to me. It is making the rounds. It started about 4 weeks ago in our one loft. A couple of birds looked dopy and listless. The next day more and so on and so on: a week later, one died then two then four until sixty or so had died. Dr Rubin and I were sure it was a virus. Treating the birds didn't help. The symptoms were those of Circo-virus. On May 10th, Dr Rubin decided that we should take five birds to Guelph for testing to make sure of what we were dealing with. Monday May 11 birds were sent off and Thursday May 14 preliminary results were reported to us not by Guelph University but by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. What they had found was not Circo Virus but PMV-1. PMV can be both neurological and intestinal. In our loft we found a small number showing nervous disorders. The intestinal version, CFIA called wasting away disease and what happens is they sit and stop eating but not drinking and within a few days they fade away. There is absolutely nothing that we can do to save them. Some recover, lots don't. The mortality rate is high. Not every bird in our loft is infected in fact, 40% are in excellent shape and ready to start training. Two hundred or so, the last group collected show no signs at the moment and look and handle well. The loft has been divided up and the birds are sorted into these three groups. I queried CFIA re our vaccinating the birds and mentioned that most fanciers did their own at home. Was this not supposed to stop these infections? The Winnipeg Lab which handles all major outbreaks dismissed the effectiveness of the vaccine available to us in Canada. They stated that at best, it was useless. What started our problems was, in plain English, brought on by one or more lofts who have or have had this problem at home. CFIA has taken the names of all who have birds in our race and I believe they will try to trace the source of this problem. The strain we have is aggressive and does affect chickens. They do not want this to spread. Be prepared for a call. Friday evening, CFIA showed up at our house and loft and we are now in lockdown. No birds are allowed to enter. None are allowed to leave. They are not allowed outside. They can sit in our fly pens. I have a very strict protocol that I have to follow which includes a shower after every visit to the loft and washing my cloths after every visit. I am not allowed into my personal loft nor are we allowed to race. Humans can also catch this disease and I plan on following all the rules. Lockdown will last at least until the end of July. If the disease is brought under control and the birds regain good health, CFIA has said that we will be allowed to race in the fall. So here is where Salem Special stands at this moment: A decision on whether to race will be made by the end of July. By that point, we will know who has birds, who hasn't and how I am going to handle the fall out. If there is a complete shutdown, race fees will be returned. Since I suspected a problem on Sunday, May 10, 2020, any teams collected after this date will have all their money returned, that is perch, race fees and taxes. At present we sit tight and hope for the best. The mortality rate today was much lower than in the last two days. We need a miracle. Vaccine In Canada today we found out our PMV vaccine is useless for our pigeons with a new strain of PMV 1 that people can even contact. The viruses in pigeons the last four years have become more and more prevalent worldwide I know this is a fact in Europe, Canada and the US so my question is how long is a vaccine really good for in this day and age. Some have been using the same vaccine for many years that was Okayed by their governments’ health departments. But let’s look at a few things maybe it is just me but every year the flu vaccine changes and still does not keep up with all the new strains of flu but does help many people every year; but PMV never change until something happens like what has happen here the point I’m trying to make is virus change and mutate and in today’s world. They are changing faster than ever before, I have talked to others that are dealing with similar problems in the pigeon sport and they like many others are finding this very frustrating in the pigeon sport on all levels. I have been writing about virus for many months now because it is affecting our sport everywhere. This does not mean you don’t vaccinate it means are we at the point ‘The Power’s To Be’ need to look at a new vaccine for our birds; that is the question we all need to ask ourselves. Also don’t send your birds to the races if they start, or a one loft race, without vaccinating all your birds first, and making sure they have immunity a month before they go in the race basket or to a one loft race. Let us not forget our birds are mixed with others birds and we need to protect our investments or our future racers. Just so I’m very clear I am not talking about the expiry date I’m talking about the vaccines we have been using for years. I hope over the next few weeks or months to have some answers as this as it does not just effect pigeons. It can in some cases effect humans and the poultry industry and beyond in some cases. I hope you are keeping well Joe and staying safe. Until next time yours Brad Foster’. ‘Faith’ Received an email from Ron Fewings who wrote; ‘Hi joe, I hope you and your family are keeping well with the troubled times we are having at the moment. just wanted to touch base with you and you keep up the good work in the fancy press. It is times like now I’m so glad I have pigeons as this keeps me sane in the garden. About the birds I received from you a few years back. The pair red cock Glower/DeWeerdt whose sire was a direct son of Kedirtje who won 40th national Dax 5189 birds; he also scored from Biamitz international; he was 3 x Perpignan, 4 x Barcelona. Dam of the red cock was a daughter of Southfield Treble winner of 112 Saints, 8th Bordeaux; 21st NFC Pau 564 miles, 63 NFC Dax 534 miles; 5 national Perpignan, 1st GDSB Palamos 12 nat 684 miles; when paired to a daughter of ‘Night Flight’ 1st NFC Saintes.: Paired to chequer hen also a Deweerdt inbred to a 1st & 3rd international winners; Sire is ½ brother to ‘George’ G & C Coopers national winner he is a full brother to ‘Gina’ dam of Wollongong 1st international Pau in 2013, dam won 11th Fougeres from 5000 birds and is a full sister to 3rd international Pau for Mark Gilbert. I have been left together as you suggested and they are very consistent indeed. An actual granddaughter from this pair has won me 1st club 350 bird’s 1st federation 3000 birds. She was also my first bird from the INFC Yearling national last year scoring 4th club. I went easy on their young birds last year as I know what they capable of doing. I have 9 from this pair ready to go this year all of them yearlings and 2 year olds mostly reds. I have another red cock 2018 that came back last year from Penzance after 2 weeks covered in oil he was unrecognizable but what a gutsy bird. So much so I called him ‘Faith’ and nominated him for the challenge cup that is The Kings Cup for this year BHW/INFC Single Bird race his ring number is GB 2018 S 87570 all going well we will be racing from France. So I am very happy with this pair Joe; they have bred lots of miner positions but I do think Penzance France is perfect for them. I have attached some photos of the red cock after a disastrous Penzance last year; all the best Joe yours Ron’. Joe’s Joke A husband and wife were driving through Scotland. As they approached Auchtermuchty, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town. They argued back and forth, when they stopped for lunch. At the counter, the husband asked the blonde waitress, "Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are very slowly?" She leaned over the counter and said, "Burrr-gerrr Kiiing." Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or you can also view online editions on: www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk - www.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! - thecanadianpigeoninternational.com www.internationalracingpigeon.com or https://sites.google...alracingpigeon/ Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy

many happy returns, have a nice day

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well

no I was surprised as a couple days before you couldn't move,

just clicked away to see how it was going click to enlarge

RIP OLIVIA you will always be remembered, condolences to Family and Friends,

Joe Murphy’s Eight of the Best Part 1 Away back in 2004 the editor asked me to do an article on my choice of pigeons I had handled or wrote about over the years. I kept going over and over some of the top outstanding pigeons that I have been privileged to handle during my time in the sport, and believe me it was a very difficult task. I asked myself a question; ‘If you were going to start up with pigeons again, Joe, how would you go about it? I would not make the same mistake as when I first started up by obtaining birds from every Tom, Dick or Harry. With the years of experience I have gained I started to permit my imagination to run wild If I had the money to purchase any pigeon wanted and of course if the owner wanted to part with the birds, that had either bred countless winners or that had proved they could win in the highest competition. I have been lucky enough in the past to handle De Smaragd 1 and De Smaragd 2. I also saw Solway King while visiting Louella Pigeon World. I handled ‘Natrix and other top class winners at Jim Biss’s loft at Norfolk. ‘Game Lady 2 and ‘Flight Master’ at Les Davenport’s loft; Henry Beattie’s Irish national winning mealy hen; Bertie Fletcher’s top Wildermeersch birds and his Eddie Newcombe family when he moved to Malta. Then there was the team of Robert O Jones of Rosolven in Wales with children from his great winners like the ‘Thurso Cock’ Shetland Leader plus ‘Trottie’, then there was David Son & Cockcroft who had 5 x 2nd Welsh Grand National winners in their loft, I could go on and on’ Being Scottish I decided I would have to go for Scottish Pigeons that had competed in the SNFC which is the benchmark for Scottish pigeons and fanciers to test their skills. I select 7 birds as my Joe Murphy Seven of the Best article. I was also aware that no matter what my choice of pigeons selected were, they would be disputed. Regardless of this I made my choice and highlighted these birds racing performances and breeding. As we are now involved in the Coronavirus pandemic and there is no racing or anything else happing in the sport. I thought of doing an update on my present thoughts on my Joe Murphy 8 of the Best article 2019. I have selected these on SNFC winning performances and have picked 3 cocks and 5 hens. The cock’s being ‘Mr Consistent’ & ‘Donald’ raced by Sinclair Thomson & son Sinclair of Port Seton, and ‘Auld Reekie’ raced by Willie Kinnear & son Barry of Danderhall. The 5 hens are ‘Seton Queen’ also raced by Sinclair Thomson & son Sinclair of Port Seton. ‘Mary’ race by Jocky King of Kirkcaldy, ‘Kingdom Spirit’ raced by George Hunter & son Brian of Dunfermline, ‘Eskvalley Pat’ and ‘Eskvalley Jackie’ raced by Ralston Graham of Langholm. ‘Sinclair Thomson & son Sinclair of Port Seton’ I start with a pigeon who has created a UNIQUE part within the history of the Scottish National Flying Club as far as I’m concerned, as he has won 14 times (yes 14 times) in the SNFC during a 6 year period and it is little wonder Sinclair called him ‘Mr Consistent’. This wonderful cock is raced into a small back garden in Port Seton a little town near Cockenzie on the edge of the Firth of Forth. Mr Consistent has won in all types of winds and from various distances from 286 miles out to 507 miles with velocities ranging from 942 up to 1335ypm. Demonstrating he is something very very special and I’m sure once fanciers read this story they will agree to why he is my first of my Seven of the Best. The Thomson partnership are quiet and unassuming fanciers and do not like to boast about their achievements however this is my story and about my choices of top pigeons. The Sinclair Thomson & Son (also named Sinclair) of Port Seton have been household names in the Scottish racing pigeon fraternity and won 1st open SNFC Clermont in 2013 with their blue bar cock ‘Rossi’ who beat 1500 birds home doing a velocity of 1090. The following year 2014 a little dark chequer cock was born (Mr Consistent) and won 138th open from the young bird national doing a velocity of 1149 from Buckingham flying a distance of 286 miles against 1552 birds entered by 212 members. Then as a yearling he went to Portsmouth a distance of 363 miles and won 132nd section B 219th open doing a velocity of 1134 participating against 4767 birds entered by 588 members. Then on the 5th of July he was then sent to Eastbourne a distance of 385 miles (this was instead of Ypres as the national could not get across the channel due to a ferry strike) the Thomson’s won 1st section B 1st open SNFC with a chequer hen named ‘Liberty Belle’ doing a velocity of 1414ypm against 2494 birds sent by 445 members. They timed the dark chequer yearling cock to win 48th section B 70th open doing a velocity of 1295ypm. The following year as a 2 year old the Sinclair’s entered the dark chequer cock into 4 Scottish national races with the first of these being flown on 4th June from Buckingham were 521 members took part sending 4328 birds and he won 52nd section B 164th open doing a velocity of 1303 for the 286 miles home. The Littlehampton race came next 14 days after the Buckingham race and he was flying a distance of 370 miles partaking against an entry of 4482 birds entered by 510 members and he recorded a velocity of 1084ypm and won 17th section B 43rd open. Two weeks later he was set up for the Ypres national with 2324 birds contested their skills against the best of Scotland’s 440 members and the dark cock was to the fore as he won 6th section B 7th open doing a velocity of 1146 ypm. Then 14 days later he competed from the last old national from Roye a distance of 494 miles to his home loft at Port Seton and was again up with the leaders as he won 17th section B 49th open doing a velocity of 942 against an entry of 1330 birds submitted by 258 members. In 2017 he only won one national diploma from Buckingham flying a distance of 286 miles against an entry of 4169 birds submitted by 495 members returning with his cover feathers all out yet he still recorded a velocity of 1304 to win 179th open but did not win a section prize. Needless to say he was not raced again that season however the rest must have done him the power of good as he excelled in the 2018 season. Named as ‘Mr Consistent’ he once again competed from 4 Scottish national races starting with the Buckingham race were he won 31st section B 223rd open doing a velocity of 957 for the 286 mile journey back to his loft from an entry of 2941 birds taken part despatched by 441 members. Again 2 weeks later he was entered into the Maidstone race a distance of 359 miles which had 444 members submitting a convoy of 3001 birds and the Thomson father and son partnership won 1st section B 1st open with a blue pied cock named ‘Alfie’ who recorded a velocity of 1444ypm winning the national by 35 ypm. He is bred from the Sinclair’s family of birds direct from the famous Taylor Brothers of Newbiggin, his breeding being ‘Geerinckx’ crossed ‘Van Drop’ bloodlines. ‘Mr Consistent’ was the Thomson’s 7th bird home to the loft from this race however he did win 23rd section B 61st open doing a velocity of 1300 ypm. Two weeks later he was back in the race basket to the Liege race a distance of 507 miles and recorded a velocity of 1144 as he did not wish to be outdone by ‘Alfie’ he kept the Thomson partnership name to the fore by winning 1st section B 5th open from an entry of 1072 birds entered by 327 members. Three weeks later he competed from the last old bird national race of the 2018 season from Roye a distance of 494 miles and he was again to the forefront winning 3rd section B 12th open recording a velocity of 1194 ypm from an account of 747 birds presented by 186 members. In 2019 he was entered into the Maidstone race and was again displayed his ‘class’ by winning 2nd section B 5th open recording a velocity of 1713ypm from a convoy of 2957 birds sent by 421 members contesting in the race. Two weeks later he was set up for the Gold Cup race from Burdinne a distance of 498 miles and he won 11th section B 51st open doing a velocity of 1335ypm against an entry of 1251 birds submitted by the 358 members. This last section B prize from over the channel won the Sinclair Thomson and Son ‘Mr Consistent’ his SNFC Gold Award in 2019 which is a quite unique as he has previously won a SNFC Silver Award for being a 3 times a prize winner from France in 2018 and a SNFC Meritorious Inland Bronze Award for 5 times a winner from inland national races in 2017 ALL the above in the Scottish National. In the 14 races that ‘Mr Consistent’ has raced only 1226 birds have conquer him and he has outclassed 36,189 birds to achieving his SNFC Gold, Silver and Bronze awards which must also rank as magnificent triumph. Parents of ‘Mr Consistent’ are direct from Taylor Brothers of Newbiggin with his sire being a Marcel Aelbrecht a household name in Belgium with the base of their birds from his best friend and neighbour Frans Sablon of the world famous combination ‘De Rauw Sablon’ winners of 1st national champion long distance in 2001 and 2nd national ACE long distance pigeon in 2001. Dam of ‘Mr Consistent’ is a Van Dorp, from Klaas Van Dorp and his son who are top winning fanciers in and around Rotterdam vicinity and they have the ability to perform very consistently at the highest level in their area. This father and son partnership also have a blue cock named ‘Donald’ SU14P 5640 who has believe it or not won 10 times in SNFC races, and I will highlight his performances; As a yearling he won 3 times; from Billericay he won 45th section B 71st open from an entry of 3406 birds. Then from Portsmouth race he won 9th section B 9th open flying against 4767 birds and from the Eastbourne race he won 33rd section B 44th open competing against 2494 birds. Then in 2016 he participated from the Ypres race and won 8th section B 9th open flying against 2323 birds and in 2017 he won twice winning 10th section B 33rd open from the Buckingham race with an entry of 4170 birds and then he won 10th section B 16th open from Ypres with 2320 birds participating. In the 2018 season he won 16th section B 31st open from Maidstone competing against 3001 birds and then from Liege against an entry of 1072 birds he won 11th section B 51st open. This win achieved his SNFC Silver Award for being a 3 times a prize winner from France and in 2018 he won the Meritorious Inland Bronze Award for 5 times a winner from inland national races with the SNFC. Then in season 2019 he again won from Maidstone being 153rd open but no section prize from an entry of 2957 birds and from Ypres he won 213th open again no section prize with 2483 birds competing. Only 630 birds beat him during this period and he beat 26,212 birds to achieve these aspirations. He is again from the Van Dorp crossed Marcel Aelbrecht bloodlines much the same way as ‘Mr Consistent’. The Thomson partnership furthermore have a marvellous chequer hen SU14P 5619 named ‘Seton Queen’ who has won 8 times in the national as a 2 year old she won 4 times in 4 Scottish nationals in the same year being 286th open (no section prize) from Buckingham 4328 birds flying a distance of 286 miles; she then went to the Littlehampton race with 4482 birds entered and won 18th section B 45th open. She was then entered into the Ypres race with 2324 birds competing and won 25th section B 45th open and to crown it all off in a season to remember from the last old bird national race from Roye won 1st section B 2nd open against 1135 birds and triumphantly won the Scottish Homing Union ‘Dewar Trophy’ and hailed ‘Scotland’s Bird of the Year’ in 2016’. In 2017 she was sent to Bedhampton race and participated against 6065 birds and won 94th section B 350th open and her next race was Ypres and she won 2nd section B 6th open from an entry of 2320 birds. The following year ‘Seton Queen’ was sent to Maidstone with a convoy of 3001 birds participated and she won 19th section B 36th open and a few weeks later was entered into the Ypres race and won 17th section B 51st open from an entry of 2541 birds and this won her a SNFC Silver Award for winning 3 times from France. Like the 2 above pigeons I have worked out her overall achievements and she has been beaten by 821 birds during her racing career but overall she has also beaten 22,662 birds which his again an outstanding objective. ‘Seaton Queen’ is also bred from Taylor Brothers of Newbigging stock pigeons. In concluding this short write up on; ‘Mr Consistent’ ‘Donald’ & ‘Seton Queen’ I think you will agree that they are outstanding pigeons and our congratulations go to both Sinclair’s who obviously are very proud of them having excelled in SNFC during the past 6 years. I hope fanciers have enjoyed my efforts in highlighting these 3 wonderful pigeons as there is nothing I love more than writing about ‘Good Honest Pigeons’ to which the 3 birds truly are. Sinclair Thomson and son SHU Dewar Trophy Winners Seton Queen Scotland's Bird of the Year 2016 (2) Mr Consistent 1 Donald (1 Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or you can also view online editions on: www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk - www.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! - thecanadianpigeoninternational.com www.internationalracingpigeon.com or https://sites.google...alracingpigeon/ Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy

well done all good to see

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well

all the best with them m8 sure they will do you credit,

many happy returns,have a nice day

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well

RIP Joe you will always be remembered , condolences to Family and friends

many happy returns, have a nice day

afternoon all hope all is going well