W.D.

Our convoyer has been letting off a couple of rockets just before letting birds up for the last 2 seasons,except at Portland where he got told off by Coast guard, as he said it could be mistaken for distress flares. It has made a difference in that at least they get a start instead of getting attacked at racepoint. Dont know if this is of any help?

Hi, sorry for the delay in getting back on here. The birds are yearlings, parents 2yr old, so bred from young stock. One of the bird's has a Polish ring on it as the lad collected rings also. Will try and get some pics up if you'd like to see them? Qu. for all interested, how much are you willing to donate to PB Fund and how does this work? Thanks, W.D.

I have 2 white pigeons bred from a pair of PJ Lofts Delbars,available, for a donation to the Pigeon Basics Site Fund if anyone is interested? I am in the Gloucester area,they were included along with the parents, when buying another loft from a local lad who has had to give them up. If interested PM me and I will do my best to answer any Qu's, Regards, W.D.

Yes very well done indeed, can't remember the last time they had 5 in the top ten?

Thats ok Lewis, there is a website www.pietdeweerd.com you can try, plus his son has a bit on his site about his father,.belgica deweerd.

Thats very true!!! But if he can re-use them it might be happening to others as well?!

Just had one of mine come home a couple of weeks back with an ETS ring on it???!!! Still use rubbers and a clock, told one of lads in club and he said he would take the ring if I didn't want it?!

Go and ask my Dad to have a look in my room there's a copy of his memoirs you can borrow, if thats any good?

Thanks Lewis but dont tell him that he'd say ''Dinnae be daft Laddie''He did send the cock back last year after being hawked in march/april, and being blind in one eye for a bit???!!! Beggars belief that he did, got him next day and he'd been hit again! So he decided to stop him. Thought he was going to put him back on the road this year as he was saying it was too full of itself, surprised he didn't, must be getting soft in his old age?!

What colour was the bird that won the 1st Ypres race for the lad from Dumfries?

Hi there, would like some advice please? Birds came back from channel race 2 weeks ago and started picking at themselves.Sprayed loft and dusted bowls, sprayed birds wings too, but didn't seem to work. Had some of Harkers One Spot, did this on O/B(as not so strong) and Ivermectin on Y/B.(they were ok but didn't want them starting too) That was over a week ago, did them with Ivermectin yesterday as some still seem to be picking at area around neck and top of wings, where quill base is. There is one last channel race left,do you think it would be alright to race them if clean or should I forget it to next year? Any advice would be helpful? Cheers, W.D.

for Arras Race Section B – 152 Section C – 203 Section D - 46 Section E – 109 Section F – 120 Total Birdage for Race – 630 First Arrivals. P.W.Virtue 8.07 and 8.14 Section B Copath. Brian Kelly Chirnside 8.06 Section B J. Bell Tranent 21.01 21.25.20 21.13.39 21.34.04 W. Flockhart Tranent 9.21.12 Norman Renton Foulden 8.28 and two Birds at 9.21 J. Proctor Kirkcaldy 9.36 (son of McFly) J. Ellis Wellbank 9.38 John Anderson Anstruther 9.16

Well done Lewis And well done to all the other NW lads too.

Never thought I would be saying this, but the old hen returned on Tuesday night just as Dad was locking up. Landed on neighbours house, badly(age), and came over when he started feeding the other birds in aviary some peanuts. Can't believe it, god only knows where she's been but she's back and safe. Thank you for the kind comments, W.D.

No it doesn't look like she'll be found Lewis, gone like a lot of good racers do.

Hey I heard its getting blown up and hung above the club hoose door???!!!

No its the Commine Hen Lewis, bless her, hope she doesn't suffer too much, dont hold out much for her chances though. In 1998 I was sitting waiting on her at the very race thats going on just now, coincidence or what?

The 1st one is timed in near the cherburg penninsular there could be some english birds sitting waiting to cross?

I am looking for an old hen that got out of aviary last night.She's french rung, 15yrs old, doesn't lay no more,retired racer. I am in the central area of Scotland, dont hold out much hope of her chances, she's never flown out since 2000 and didn't think she would get far but there you go.If you could be so kind, if you do get her in to let me know, Thank you. W.D.

Not sure Lewis, think he was related to Logie Davidson of Douglas Water and that was their base.But I do know he bred some good birds that have done well for others esp Jocky King to name but one, the hen he got was a wee gold mine at stock.

Thats great Lewis keep em coming!

Well done Lewis now go time some more!!!

And if you would like any y/bs off them -too late, Lewis has already booked them!!!

The Red Kite's diet consists mainly of small mammals such as mice, voles, shrews, young hares and rabbits. It also feeds on a wide variety of carrion including sheep carcasses and dead game birds. Live birds are also taken and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Earthworms also form an important part of the diet, especially in the spring.[ Doesnt say that here, taken from Wikipedia.Most predators wont say no to an easy meal like a tired or unsuspecting pigeon.I've had Magpies going for the y/bs when first let out this year and not yet able to fly.

Just had a Red Kite go over loft and circle over one y/b out that wouldn't go in this morn so shut it out, a good job I was there or it might have been hawk meat?!