Kyleakin Lofts

Mauchline - George Slaven - 01292 541074

Well done all.

High broken clouds, fairly bright.

Good morning all.

Glad you made it back. There to fight another day.

Happy birthday.

Good morning all.

Sunny morning, warm, broken cloud.

Happy birthday.

My latebreds are given the run of the loft, untrained. They start their training shortly after the others and don't start racing until June, getting up to 3 races out to 130 miles. I started with 25 and have 18 left. What happens next year, I don't know. Crystal ball stuff. prior to last year they were given the full race programme and I had very few left. I know Walter has success with latebreds, so it is possible. finding the system to suit your racing programme and terrain, etc is the problem and this could differ dependent on these variable parameters. I think the general rule is to remember they are YB's with yearling bodies and are out of proportion. Their YB feathers will not stand up to adverse conditions, so the only safe general rule is, be careful with them. Find a good one and it will repay your patience.

High grey clouds, bright and dry here in East Ayrshire.

Good morning all.

Happy birthday.

Valley North - Mick Hilland - 07745 764422

Happy birthday.

I have heard this said before, however anyone racing on the north that I speak to, state they prefer the racing because of less losses. I am unable to comment on that at this stage, having just started south this year. I think if you are happy racing short distances, then the north is ok and because of the reduced distance there is less chance for attacks, although they do happen and pigeons are lost, no doubt regarding that, it is fact. Some are attempting Lerwick, I can only presume to increase the challenge and distance. I am sure there are good sprint pigeons around, however they are a different beast to distance pigeons. Distance racing has its inherent difficulties, both in preparing the pigeons and obstacles en route. Definitely a different test for the fancier and pigeon. National distance racing is different yet again and in my opinion, this is where the cream is found.

I did. I raced my untrained yearlings out to Wetherby. Further next season.

Continued best wishes to you both Seonna.

I race North and would agree with this in principle. Less distance, less opportunity for the falcon to attack. The route helps also. We race down the east coast, so the pigeons have somewhere to go (out to sea) when avoiding the falcon. When they come across country it is usually around the M8 corridor. Seems when we race nearer Stirling, more inland, we hit more trouble. Others may have different opinions. Having said that, distance is of no account, given Ayrshire's current season. They are having bother from 60 miles, so I would say route is the major factor.

Happy birthday.

Grey overcast and wet.

Good morning all.

Grey broken cloud and war.

Happy birthday.

Dull, grey overcast and wet. Rain off at the moment.