kaz

When I spoke to that royal pigeon place yesterday, they told me to stop putting bird feed out and I duly obeyed ;D. Anyway... it looks like the bird has gone for good this time (either that or the noise of the lawn mower has scared it somewhat). I hope it is making it's journey home now. A real shame I'll never know the outcome :'( I know I keep saying thank you... but you have all been such brilliant support. Wishing you all the best with your hobby . Kaz X

I've just had to ring the local contact to say the bird has flown to the roof for the night (I didn't want them to make a wasted journey). Time was tight for them this evening because they were going to the pigeon club (lol... sorry, it all sounds so funny to me - in a nice way that is). Anyway... they will pop over tomorrow around 5pm-ish. Out of interest... what will they do with the bird? Do you have some kind of arrangement e.g. keep it to replace own lost birds as it all balances out in the end?

Just an up-date... I rang the royal pigeon people (ta very much for the number), anyway they gave me the number of a local contact who is popping round tonight about 7pm to have a go at catching. Cheers!

Thank you for sticking with me on this. It looks as though the bird stays in my garden during the day then disappears early evening. I'll take that telephone number to work with me to see if a local person can be tracked down to help (I had no luck doing a web search). This must be a common problem... but I'm just such a softy and don't want the bird to be distressed in any way. I'm determined to reunite it with it's owner if at all possible. Hope I'm not being a burden on here and am grateful for the support.

I'm just going to investigate whether there are any local racing pigeon clubs - why didn't I think of this earlier I ask myself :. I'll keep you up-dated. You've all been brilliant... thank you.

Near Southend

Well I'm glad I'm not the only scaredy-cat!!! Please be patient with me... I've just walked out into the garden with determination and grit to catch it. That bird is not stupid... it flew off (now on the roof). Should I let it get hungry, then try to catch again?

I'm in Essex (my previous post appears twice... how odd is that!)

Thanks guys... if with your help the owner is located, what happens then? Do I mail the bird or something? I know I must sound like a complete wimp!!! But someone here must have had initial nerves /fear even, about handling a bird for the first time. It's sitting on my lawn... I'm making sure it has food and water. Your support is very much appreciated... hope they'll be a positive outcome!

Thanks guys... if with your help the owner is located, what happens then? Do I mail the bird or something? I know I must sound like a complete wimp!!! But someone here must have had initial nerves /fear even, about handling a bird for the first time. It's sitting on my lawn... I'm making sure it has food and water. Your support is very much appreciated... hope they'll be a positive outcome!

The bird is still here I'm afraid... this must be the 5th day now. We still haven't been able to catch it, but it got close enough to look at the ring: GB03E8110 Ummm... there may be another digit on the end, but there's a spot of poop there .

I almost choked when I read the 'shed' method. It's an absolute tip in there I've just been out in the garden to check up on the bird and it's GONE :'( Awww... I was getting a soft spot for it. Can I just say what fabulous help and support you've been. I know zero about racing pigeons and came into a very unfamiliar forum and was helped within minutes. Anyway, thank you all very much. Last image - son hand feeding earlier today:

Anyone got a plan B???. Appears that the brave son is a sissy!!! He did the gentle method which ended up in 2 laps around the garden with the bird walking at a faster pace than him : The son then had a bright idea... gain the bird's trust :, so offered it food... which the bird quite happily took out of the son's hand. Still no result though :B That number on the metal ring... how long are they usually? The son managed to read GBE8110, but thinks there is more. If we don't catch the bird, will it end up finding its way home at some point? Will it survive ok if stuck in my garden / lost?

The catching event is about to take place... my son is coming to the rescue!!! The bird is very tame... I know you are all used to this sort of thing, but for me it's an adventure into the unknown . I was sitting on the grass making a phone call and it came right up to my leg... I mean we were touching!!! What a breakthrough for me!!! Thank you for the handling advice... it's going to be useful for sure. I'm in Essex btw. I'll post again once I have the ring number. Is this a feral pigeon? Thanks for the support..... here goes :o

The catching event is about to take place... my son is coming to the rescue!!! The bird is very tame... I know you are all used to this sort of thing, but for me it's an adventure into the unknown . I was sitting on the grass making a phone call and it came right up to my leg... I mean we were touching!!! What a breakthrough for me!!! Thank you for the handling advice... it's going to be useful for sure. I'm in Essex btw. I'll post again once I have the ring number. Is this a feral pigeon? Thanks for the support..... here goes :o

And typically, there is no-one about when needed!!! So... abandoning my fear of birds, I'll have a go at handling it. How do I approach it Will it be scared? Do I need 2 people... one to hold and the other to read the rings? Do both rings hold identical information? Many thanks for help.

Its been in the garden 3 days now. I'm scared of birds!!! It came and joined me on the patio this morning... I've fed and watered it, now it's gone clingy to me I can't read the ring without touching it, but think I see 208 (or 6) :-/ What should I do? Please help... I'm a wee bit scared of it : Photo: