Kyleakin Lofts

This makes good common sense. Will it ever happen?

Yes, but after my time.

I have heard that this works, but like all the deterrants, it only works for a period of time until the BOP becomes used to it. I think what you require to do is to use all the deterrants and change to a different one once they become used to the one you are currently using. It also pays to remove hedges, etc which can camoflage the approach of sparrow-hawks.

That is a good offer. He's already been offered a gift of 6. How about you making the same offer?

I can Alan. Heard them squeak back in the early 70's when being put in the panniers and then winning the race.

This country has become far too liberal. These types need sorted big style.

At one time the west dominated the national and the east didn't have much of a look in. The boys from the east kept plugging away and took heart when an east doo scored well. I am speaking from ignorance here so do not get up in arms about my comments, but the way I see it this all changed when the east upped its send and the spoils were shared more evenly. It further changed when the west started to race the east coast because of the BOP problem. Apparently the BOP problem is countrywide now, so perhaps if the west start racing the traditional west route and increase their send, the results may even up again.

Get well soon.

There is no middle, it is either the A1 / M1 on the East or the M6 on the west. The middle is the Pennines and I don't think there is a road right along the top of them. It was said earlier, what is a true race distance because it varies for all entrants and the birds don't fly in a straight line. Truth be told, to win a National you either have to be in an excellent racing position, have the wind on your side, have the other elements on your side and have a huge smattering of luck regards the dangers on route. For most to place in their section is their true guide as to how they have fared. It is in their section that the vagaries are more fairly distributed. Having said that, the same names appear on the National result time and again, so these fanciers make their own luck by having the correct birds for the job, the correct management for the job and the correct amount of effort put in to gain their achievements.

Truth be told Danny, very few would fly directly across the north sea from Germany. They would probably still cross around Belgium / France, so in effect the distances, whilst being the accurate race measurements, would not reflect the flown distances.

Like the idea of it with the one consideration. I have heard it spoken of as a no go area across the country, around the border area and south for about 50 miles. As long as the 100 mile races were not in this area, it could work. Sprinters get fortnightly 100 mile races and Middle Distance is catered for by the Combine. The Distance fanciers use this to train their younger birds and the Nationals are there for the real test. 500 mile + distance birds would start to re-appear.

Don't call me Cinders for nothing, just going.

Thanks, that helps.

Good comment.

This is the point Mick, the birds are not getting a line, but are being dragged all over the place. The longer they are out there the more chance that BOP are going to have them.

This has been reported on the Ayrshire website and is being viewed with interest. Hopefully an arrangement will be arrived at between both feds.

Having been absent from the racing pigeon scene for some 40 years and only a boy when I was involved with it, I wholeheartedly agree with this. Money and poweer, the root of all evil. Given that in that 40 years the cost of living has risen greatly, I am sure the cost of racing pigeons has not risen at the same levels. Having been involved in my own right since 2009 I have noticed that most fanciers baulk at any price increase, wanting their membership and racing for peanuts. They know their organisation is losing money, but do not mind because they feel the money raised by fanciers of the past, which may include themselves, should be used to subsidise their racing, after all, there is no future left for the hobby. The excess money held by these organisations could be used to soften the blow, but they have to bring themselves up to the position of paying their way.

I have just noticed the post on destruction and shall now read that one. I do not find the forum very user friendly in respect of new posts or threads.

I have been reading and watching this thread with interest. It seems that part of the discussion regarding sections has changed to one regarding race programme. Points have been made that 500 mile pigeons are few and far between. Inland Nationals are referred to and given the blame for this situation. Inland Nationals have also been referred to as training races and as such should no longer carry National status whilst still being on the programme of the National Club. A very salient point, I thought, was raised by Rab Anderson. He reminisced about Federations combining for these Inland races and expanded on the merits of these combine races. From my limited memory and also from a viewpoint of one who is not even ready for Inland Nationals, I remember Federations convoying their own birds to all races within the UK and also 1 French race. Would I be correct in assuming that this Federation training led all birds back to the same area and this is the reason that yearlings were sent to the Federation French race. As 2YO these birds became the loft's National candidates and wre part of the team attempting Rennes, Nantes and National Avranches at which races they may be dragged across country, but the hope was that their previous Federation experience would stand them in good stead thus preventing this happening. If I am correct in this statement, I believe we begin to see the crux of the problem regarding the lack of 500 milers. These birds have disappeared because of money. As Rab stated, the drop in fancier numbers has forced Federations to Combine. Whilst increasing the area this still remained as fairly local areas. Progressing from this, the National took on the Inlands and all chance of our younger birds gaining valuable experience decreased. The drag all over the country had begun. If this is correct, then the National should, if it wishes or if it remains necessary to retain the Inlands, use Regional transporters and use several releases. In other words, act as the old combines, thus cutting this drag. The short Channel event, Ypres I thinnk, could be used to blood the yearlings and be a regional liberation also. If there is any merit in this thinking, I am sure the knowledgeable, experienced fanciers could fine tune it and come up with a workable solution.

Know the feeling, i get that a lot here as well.

Sleet here in Ayrshire. Slush everywhere.

Happy birthday one and all.

Rab is top of the pops. Poppy has given me some good advice and some good birds too. Hope I eventually get that elusive 1st placing.

Don't get the papers, what has Joe done?