Mjohns64

STOP PRESS UPDATE! Well, looks like I have been had... finally managed to speak with the owners. Aparently, she was released in a race on Monday, has managed about 20 miles, and spent the last 2 days (Mon and Tues) staying with someone in an apartment in the centre of Leeds! Looks like she has been turfed out and has then found the next nearest sucker for a further evening..... :'( And who says birds are not fickle things..! And here I was thinking she was near exhaustion and hard done by... well, I won't be suckered in again...! (And given my understanding of the way the racing system works, I don't think any records are at risk of being broken!) Have asked the owner to give me a call if / when she finally decides to come home. Matt. PS - is it right that I feel used??

Thanks - have had a bit of a soft spot for birds (both feathered and otherwise!) and have always tired to help when finding injured ones in the past. But like I said earlier, just quite surprised at how pretty it was - I guess I have just been a biased after all the statue squatters! Anyway, as promised - here are the pics, you should be able to see them? - I took them yesterday while she was here and this morning / afternoon. My New Bird! The cupboard: The stuff I had to move out of the cupboard so she could stay the night (mind you, would probably have been happy just to stay sitting on it!) Trying to chase her out the first time before it became apparent that I was the hotel for the night! She came further than this into the apartment - I had just put down some food. Eating said food and making a mess - this was the better mess - I should have taken a photo of the cupboard in the morning... or perhaps not.. Eweew! :X And finally, the indignity this morning after I put her outside.. Does not look happy does she! At least she had a good nights rest and did not snore, but am afriad that I must report that she has not returned from the shopping expedition - looks like she has gone back to be with all her other friends. Am quite glad, but still at little sad all the same. Thanks to you all for your kind words and thoughts! I will make sure to come back and update if she ever returns! What a fine feathered experience for the week! Cheers, Matt.

Well, who knows indeed! However, given the mess, (am surprised a bird that size could leave that much!), I am not sure if the 13 floors below will appreciate... next time paper goes down! I mean really - talk about gratitude, and that is all the thanks you get? :-) Just went back to check on her over lunch, guess she has gone shopping. Thank goodness I didn't leave the credit card out! At least good to know that she was well enough to see herself off. You were right it seems, just stopping the night to rest and then keep on going. Have contacted NEHU to let them know - the 'encouraging' bit is they said they will still send the notification as there is a chance she may come back tonight... so keep watching this space. I will be sure to let you know if I get another visit! Really, it is like something from 'Corronation Street' - feeling like I am peeking out the curtains at the comings and goings of the street and gossiping with everyone! She is welcome back - just so long as she does not bring too many friends and stay up late with the 'feather parties!' and loud music. Having said that, what is the best sort of food that I could get and would store for a long period on the off chance it does happen again? Or am I better off just not feeding at all, just put down water and let sleep? Will find somewhere to put the photos of her sitting in the middle of the lounge later tonight for your bemusement. Will post the link here. Thanks again, this has made my working week a lot more enjoyable! Matt.

Thanks Paul, I have literllay just been contacted by NEHU (Angela) who was most helpful. Wingstamp... now why didn't I think of that?? Has to be one of the cleverest inventions I have heard of! Have an owner - Porker and Holland at Whitly Bean? (No idea of the spelling I am afraid) on 0191 237 4584 and have been trying to call them this morning. I guess they are out too! Will go home at lunch and check on her, but NEHU are going to send them a notification and let them know. So at worst, we will only have one more night together... Thanks again for checking on me - I had no idea that there was such a community out there. Afriad I had always seen pigeons as 'statue sitters' and given little thought to the other side. Had my eyes opened this week - and thanks to you all. They really are quite pretty! Cheers, Matt.

OK - Morning. Still here - have opened the cupboard and she is happily walking around the apartment, has sat on the balcony for about 10 mins, and then just come back in. (Wish someone had warned me about the mess!) I have to go to work soon - and ideas? I am going to end up having to put outside on the balcony and lock the door - leave some water? Am worried about feeding too much and having the bird think this is it new home? Is that likely / possible? Or am I just worrying too much? Thanks, Matt.

Hi Paul, Thanks for asking, but afraid, looks like I am a bit of a fizzle after all. 3 courses, nice glass of red and not a peep from her. Literally! Have now put the cover over the door and looks like she is in for the evening. Just hope all is fine in the morning... would be good to find a owner, or get a response on the phone number. Not to worry if not, am happy for her to tuck in as long as she does not hog the duvet covers and have cold feet. Watch this space tomorrow morning as I may need some fast advise if she is not leaving! :-) Thanks again, Matt.

Thanks Rose, Looks like she has tucked in for the night, now standing on one leg and both eyes closed - sleeping I guess? Either that or waiting for me to finish cooking dinner. Thanks, Matt.

Umm, Hi? This may seem a little strange, but here goes. I live on the 14th floor in the centre of Leeds and this afternoon, I have had a bird (pigeon - no idea what type you would call it) land on the balcony, and walk into the apartment as bold as brass. Surprised... well, yes, I guess I was. Funny thing was, it just hung around. I have dealt with sick birds in the past, and this one looks to be in good condition, quite bright and alert, no obvious signs of injury. It walked to a small floor level cupboard and stood beside it, almost with a coy....smile? - so I opened the door, and yep. You guessed it, jumped in. Now I am not sure if this is a normal thing for pigeons to do - I have had no experience with racing birds in the past, just dealing with natives (not UK natives!). Not sure if it is lost, confused, or I have just seriously under-rated my ability to attract the 'birds' in the past or the new deoderant is working a treat! (Bad joke I know). I was able to handle the bird without problems and have located the TAG - NEHU TN3797 - from my looking (googling), I think it belongs to someone from Tynmouth North Federation of North of England Homing Union? I have dropped them a mail, no response, tried calling them a lot, no response... so not sure what the best thing for me to do is? I have put down water from which my new lady has drunk a lot, but is now just sitting there in the cupboard, almost as if expecting me to engage in small and pleasant conversation...... Umm, nice plumage? Given late afternoon, I am reluctant to try and force out, especially if exhausted. I am hoping that my searches may turn up some results or someone will call me, but given the answer machine does not take messages, looks like it may just be the two of us for dinner tonight... My plan is to continue to try and contact NEHU on 01912625440 and hope I get an answer. If she (I am assuming it is a she, otherwise, I won't be telling the guys at work the story of the crazed 'lady' who broke into my apartment and refused to leave!) does not go this afternoon of her own accord, I will cover door and darken with a blanket, let rest overnight and hope she wants to leave in the morning. (No, I will not cook breakfast!) Biggest concern is, if she does not want to leave, should I just tell her it is over? Then what? I don't fancy just pushing her off the balcony! ASBOs? Restraining orders? Do I really need to get the police involved? Slightly amused but still rather concerned.... Matt. PS - there is a lot of tounge in cheek above, but I have no idea of the protocol in the world of pigeon racing. Am concerned and would welcome any advise as she still has not left during the period it took me to write this missive!