The Joe Murphy Column Received a phone call from a fancier from the north east of England who informed me that last weekend while his young birds were due home from their race, low and behold a Scottish organisation liberated their birds and as you can imagine mayhem. These birds all mixed in together and the outcome was some of the NEHU birds are up in Scotland and some of the Scottish birds are in the North East. This fancier asked if I could highlight this and hope that race controllers and conveyers could communicate with each other more often to STOP this crazy situation. It is all about ‘communication’ and I believe this is another reason for all the young bird losses we experience every year. For example I assisted Ayrshire North Road and the North of Scotland federations (Peterhead -Fraserburgh, as well as Buckie –Banff area). The Ayrshire birds were away at 07-00 and 30 minutes later the North lads went. Can you imagine what would have happened if the Fife youngsters were coming home say to Thornton and these convoys were liberated. Do the race controllers contact pigeon fanciers at the liberations sites to find out where they are racing FROM, of When will they be home? I can tell you now NO as it is too much bother so long as they get a race that is all that they are bothering about. I don’t mean the 2 organisations I have assisted above but about what goes on overall. Toxic Poisoning I received a phone call from an ex fancier Chris who happened to meet a pigeon friend who gave him a read of some old pigeon magazines. Chris read my article from March this year were I highlighted the problems I was having with plastic nest bowls, as some of my youngsters were dead outside the nest. Chris informed me that he worked at an engineering place and when it shut down he was given some plastic boxes and he put in all odds and sorts into them and put them in his garage. A few years later he was looking for something and started to check the boxes and spent a few hours in the garage. When he came out he started to ‘stagger’ all over the place and it took a while till he felt well again. On entering the garage he was overcome with a smell and it was toxic from the plastic boxes. Chris informed me that in his opinion this was what was wrong with my youngsters. He said ‘you would have stacked these pans one on top of each other and left them all winter’ (Correct) they were then washed and when the time was correct put into each individual nest box. The heat from the nest and birds sitting the eggs would then make the plastic warm and as far as Chris was concerned toxic would rise from the bowl. One the young birds were in the nest between the heat from them and the parents the toxic fumes would rise up and the babies would be breathing this in. Hence the reason one of them was out the nest as it wanted away from vapours. Chris also said that is why your old birds kept building bigger and bigger nests and some of your eggs fell out the higher the nest was to get away from the emissions from the plastic. Well I have to say that I never gave this one thought and maybe Chris is right. He did say that plastic was the worst thing to use it was better to use stone or earth-ware drinkers in the loft it was the same as plastic drinkers in the transporters. After each race these are emptied out then put inside each other and placed in a bag or box and that is them till the next week when taken out and put on each basket and topped up with water for the birds. Chris highlighted the fact that these are never dried off after use, kept separated from each other and as all kept together therefore give off poisonous toxic which must affect the birds. The main point Chris was making was there is Toxic Poison in plastic – just look at how Council’s do not what plastic bags in waist filled sites. Hence the reason why people are now being charged 5 pence for a bag and we all know how the number of these has fallen over the past year. One or two points of interest brought up by Chris call and made me think as I hope it has you. Any feedback on the above will be warmly invited. Young Fancier wins 1st Section Received an email from my good friend Guy Reed of Shanklin on the Isle of Wight who writes: ‘Dear Joe, I’m sending you some information on a young fancier on the Isle of Wight and I hope you don't mind me sharing this info with you as I know we both find it rewarding to encourage younger members within our sport. One such fancier remains here on the Island and where numbers are sadly in an ever increasing decline, gone are the days it seems, when I was involved in setting over sixty clocks for the national minded fanciers of the day. I wish to mention one of our numbers who race under the name of L & M Dyer of Nettlestone. This young married man with a young family of two leads a hectic and hardworking lifestyle and is loved by many of the islands community as is his ever helpful mother Maureen who is the other part of the racing partnership. Lee is constantly on call for anyone in the sport and is ever willing to help. I have been personally accused of being fanatical with pigeons, but Lee has energy abound, that his youth allows. There is nothing he cannot do in regard to the running of the sport, and his energy and enthusiasm is relentless, which one has to admit is a bonus to the older members. His mother is his constant support in Lee's busy life and Maureen keeps a spotlessly clean loft, which is somewhat old school in design, but very healthy, possibly as around here, Lee has been influenced by many older fanciers who have mostly had their interests in the National events, including his own uncle Len Hodges, a profound racing man who achieved many good results including twice 2nd Pau. I have seen this lad improve slowly over the years, and like all of us he has gone through all the normal "off the wall" things we do as we grow in the sport. Recently though his interests and drive has led to more involvement in National competition. I'm delighted to see this partnership keep the Isle of Wight alive in the sport, and anyone who lives in a coastal position would know just how hard it is to motivate birds to come directly on line and take high positions in National events. Lee & Maureen have had some good success at the shorter events and have won the club and federation on many occasions. Now their sites are raised and hope to achieve greater heights in the coming seasons. They have already shown in the top one hundred from the shorter nationals and Classic events on several occasions in the last three years. 2016 ended on a high note for Lee & Maureen, achieving 1st Section and probable 10th open in the BBC National event from Bordeaux. This alone will encourage them to go forward in their approach, and excel beyond their predecessors, such as George Wood, Ken Morey, Roy Reed, Frank Attrill, etc. and several others whose names remain in the archives of top racing performance on the Isle of Wight. I consider it a privilege to assist this duo in their racing challenges and this article is the least I can do In order to encourage them on their wonderful journey in the sport of racing pigeons at the highest level. Another of the remaining fanciers here on the Island worthy of mention is Robert Harbour, who has followed in his father’s footsteps and continues to reign as one of the most consistent fanciers to time in National and Classic events. 2016 has been as hard as any year I can remember in terms of losses and testing weather conditions, yet still some birds continue to show their tenacity and endurance. Robert has such bird that can lay claim to being one such pigeon, as her results that follow will prove: - This blue pied hen GB 11E 34131 won 44th open NFC Tarbes in 2015, and scored in 5 other national events that year, 72nd open Classic Bergerac 2013. 255th open NFC Tarbes 2014 and 181st open NFC Tarbes 2016 plus 2nd open Classic Tarbes also in 2016. I would say this is a good pigeon, and is based on Flor Engles crossed I believe with Robert’s old Cattrysse lines? Of course over the years Robert has had many top positions like his father before him and whilst he takes an active interest in all levels of competition. I can say that this is another Islander who loves to shine at the highest level and has once again shown he can pull it off when the going gets tough and no distance is too much for this 100% pigeon man with a long history, at the distance including Palamos and Barcelona, yours sincerely Guy Reed’. Lee Dyer of Nettlestone Results We had our first young bird race on 6th August from Lauder with Kevin sending 39 youngster to this 60 mile race point. The convoy were liberated at 07.30 west south west wind and Kevin took the first 3 places in the club. The winner was a chequer hen inbred to Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone ‘TMAC’ winner of SNFC Silver Award winner. The 2nd placed bird was also a chequer sire a Mark Gilbert cock and the dam a daughter of ‘Kingdom Spirt’ 10 x times SNFC prize winner. The 3rd youngster is from a grandson of Deweerts ‘Inita’ winner 5 times from Barcelona while the dam is from Guy Reed from a son of Mark Gilbert’s ‘Tiger’ winner of 1st national Barcelona, 10th nat Pau, 35th nat Agen, 56th nat Perpignan and 303rd nat Tarbes. He was mated to a direct daughter of Geoff & Catherine Coopers ‘George’ winner of 1st national Tarbes and he is also the grandsire of ‘Farmer George’ winner of 1st international Bordeaux. So you will see that the 3 of them are well bred pigeons. Now for the results sent in by the press officers this week. Angus Federation For the 1st young bird race of the season flown on 23rd July 745 birds were liberated at Arniston at 08-00 into a south west wind the federation winner with a velocity of 1348 is J McCafferty of Forfar with Ian Scott of the same club in 2nd 3rd 4th 5th & 8th places. Macaulay Ferguson and Curran are 6th 7th 12th to 18th with Davie Glen in 9th & 10th positions. Willie MacKnight of Forfar is 19th & 20th. East section winners are as follows: G Campbell of Montrose is 1st 3rd 5th 6th 7th & 8th with Chic & Ann Carrie of Inchcape club in 2nd place. B Craig of Gourdon is 3rd with D & D Hay of the same club in 10th place. Club Winners are as follows: Forfar 523 birds J McCafferty; Gourdon 56 birds B Craig; Arbroath 48 birds Glen Cameron; Montrose 16 birds G Campbell; Inchcape 102 birds C & A Carrie. The members sent 792 birds to Arniston on 30th of July liberated at 08-00am with no wind Bob Baldie of Forfar took every position in the top 20 in the federation except 13th & 16th places that were won by Ian Scott of the same club. East section winners are as follows: G Campbell of Montrose is 1st & 5th with B Craig of Gourdon in 2nd place. Chic & Ann Carrie of Inchcape club are 3rd 7th & 8th with B Main of the same club in 4th 6th & 10th places. Eddie Mann of Gourdon is 9th section. Club Winners are as follows: Forfar 560 birds Bob Baldie; Gourdon 53 birds B Craig; Arbroath 19 birds as trainers; Montrose 41 birds G Campbell; Inchcape 119 birds C & A Carrie. From the Lauder race 837 birds were liberated at 07.30 west south west wind topping the federation is David J Liddle of Forfar he is also 2nd 4th 5th & 6th with Ian Scott winning 3rd & 7th position all the remaining places were won by Bob Baldie of the same club. East section winners are as follows: G Campbell of Montrose is 1st 2nd 4th 5th & 6th with Chic & Ann Carrie of Inchcape club in 3rd place. B Craig of Gourdon is 7th with Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath in 8th spot. D & D Hay of Gourdon are 9th with Eddie Mann of the same club in 10th place. Club Winners are as follows: Forfar 579 birds D J Liddle; Gourdon 35 birds B Craig; Arbroath 51 birds Kevin J Murphy; Montrose 91 birds G Campbell; Inchcape 81 birds C & A Carrie. Arbroath RPS for the 3rd young bird race of the season from Lauder on 6th August 3 members sent 51 birds liberated at 07.30 west south west wind. Taking the first 3 in the club was Kevin J Murphy in his first race of the young bird season. Ayrshire North Road Federation was at Thornton on Saturday 6th of August liberated at 07-00 into a light west wind I’m awaiting the result but have pictures of their liberation see attached. Ayrshire North Road liberation Central Federation Broxburn RPC news from Bernie Britton with the club and federation result from Appleby were 5 member’s sent 233 bird’s liberated at 07-45am into a north west wind. Winning 1st club and 17th federation is John McNeill flying a natural blue chequer pied hen she was a gift from his friend Rab Walker of West Calder from his old family of birds. In 2nd club and 18th federation position is Pat Rafferty & Son’s Hue & Steven they timed a darkness chequer cock of Jan Aarden bloodlines from the famous Louella Lofts. 3rd club is Gordon Mackenzie with a blue cock on darkness he is a M & D Evans gabby crossed Mr & Mrs Kirkland. That’s it for another week Joe the weeks seem to be flying in many thanks once again yours Bernie’. East of Scotland Federation News from John Baillie of Tranent who informs us that the federation birds were liberated from Tow Law 1 with Bobby Graham having the birds away at 07-30 am into a light west wind. 1st & 2nd open is Tom Hunnam of Port Seton with 2 chequered white flight cocks. In the 3rd & 6th spots are Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone. Tam Waddell again of Prestonpans takes the number 4th spot and staying in the Pans we have Mr & Mrs March in 5th place. ‘Spider’ is 7th and 10th with John Bird taking 8th & 9th positions. Returns seemed good once again which is good all round. Prestonpans Homing Society: Taking 1st & 2nd positions is Tom Hunnam with his loft manager Corker Thomson phoning me to give details of the winning birds. The bird taking the first spot is a Braspenning crossed Van Reet, his full brother topped the federation last year from the Ridsdale young bird race and then was killed with the sparrow hawk the following Tuesday. The sire of these young birds has now bred birds to top the federation 12 times. The second place bird's breeding is again by Corker is from Hofkens crossed Braspenning. Taking 3rd club is Tom & Scott McEwen with the same bird that topped the federation from Ridsdale 2. This again is bred from the stock birds from Paul Stobbs crossed Brian Cunningham, well that’s it for another week Joe many thanks once again yours John B’. Fife Federation Dunfermline LRPC news from David Kennedy who writes ‘Hi Joe we were at Alnwick with the young birds with 10 members sending 253 birds. Neil Jarvie takes this weeks red card; with a velocity of 1157 ypm he timed a natural young Cooremans hen bred from Andy Gregson stock that Neil purchased at Blackpool Show. 2nd place goes to Frank Mitchell with a velocity of 1141 ypm he timed a young darkness cock bred by Andrew Langley from Elson the bloodlines being from Mark & Dickie Evans stock. In third place is Alistair McInnes with a velocity of 1139 ypm he timed a darkness hen containing Cattrysse bloodlines from A & L Painter. This week’s nomination is won by Alistair McInnes and Neil Jarvie takes the 2 bird prize yours David’. Glenrothes & Leslie PC news from Rosie Armit who informs us from the first young bird race the partnership of Turpie &McCord took the first 3 places with a blue cock taking the top honour his sire is a 14 year old Braspenning who bred the best young bird in club in 2015, the dam is a daughter of the Charlie Cameron Belge stray winner of 21 x 1st for the partnership (bloodlines of Jos Claes). Their 2nd bird is a blue chequer hen her sire was a gift from Dougie Barnes of Crossgates and is from Kipp & son breeding. Dam was bred by Bob Wilson of Strathmiglo from Dave Baldie lines. 3rd bird is a blue chequer hen sire is a son of cock which got Gold Award (then didn't) and was 2nd open Clermont SNFC in 2015, the dam is a German stock hen. The partnership did very well as they took the first three in the Fed. North of Scotland Federation Buckie RPC news from Gavin Russell who sends news of his 3rd young bird race from Thornton on the 6th August with 3 members sending 63 approximately 104 miles to most lofts. Taking the 1st x 3 positons is Mr John Cummings with his winner doing a velocity of 1201 he is a blue chequer cock, sire from Stuart Maskame of Peterhead while the dam is from Ronnie Wilson of Keith. This same bird won the race last week. His 2nd bird on 1183 is bred from as follows sire from Cowie & Mackie of Aberdeen while the dam is from Stuart Maskame. The 3rd bird on a velocity of 1182 sire is from Callum Millar of Wick while the dam is from Jonnie Strachan of Inverallochy. Regarding returns these were a wee bit gappy with not many 2nd day birds once again many thanks Joe yours Gavin’. Joe Murphy writes; I have attached a photograph of this liberation along with the convoyer Davie, this was a perfect morning and the 1600 plus birds cleared the site in seconds. In fact by 07-32 there was not a bird in the sky, I spoke to Stuart Maskame and told him they would have a good race as it was a perfect morning. Stuart sent me back a text saying his first bird was at 09-35 and he had 61 home from 66 sent. Heading for home North of Scotland birds at Thornton Davie North of Scotland Convoyer Pentland Hill’s Federation News from Andy Miller who informs us that the federation were at Tow Law (1) young bird race flown on Saturday 6th August with 15 clubs sending 3430 birds, liberated at 07-30 into a light west wind. Topping the federation are Helen Aitken & sons of Danderhall on a velocity of 1340. 2nd & 3rd are the Woodburn partnership of Brown & Black with S Lapinski of the same club in 4th place. 5th spot goes to W Smith of Danderhall with A Mitchell of Castlebrae in 6th place one yard ahead of Willie Pryde & son of Easthouses. 8th spot goes to A Young of Danderhall with M & Mrs. Black of Edinburgh Premier in 9th place and making up the top 10 is Jimmy Pryde of Easthouses. Club Winners are as follows; Danderhall 701 birds; 1st Aitken 2nd Smith 3rd Young Woodburn 202 birds; 1st & 2nd Brown & Black 3rd Lapinski Castlebrae 162 birds; 1st A Mitchell 2nd McCormack & Fraser 3rd L Mitchell Easthouses 428 birds; 1st & 3rd W Pryde & Son 2nd J Pryde Edinburgh Premier 208 birds; 1st & 2nd Mr & Mrs Black 3rd Gilchrist Gilmerton 164 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Linton Edinburgh West 181 birds; 1st & 3rd I Bennett 2nd Lamb Sighthill 239 birds; 1st Ure 2nd & 3rd Bremner Arniston 53 birds; 1st Rae 2nd Mercer Bonnyrigg 220 birds; 1st Lannan 2nd Russell 3rd Neill Loanhead 100 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Murray Rosewell 106 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Cunningham & Ness Peebles 49 birds; New Lothian 69 birds; Traprain 482 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Newcombe Others 66 birds New Lothian RPC from the Tow Law race point 61 lofts sent 2297 birds with the Helen Aitken & sons of Danderhall taking top spot and winning £151 for their efforts. 2nd & 3rd places go to Brown & Black of Woodburn with S Lapinski of the same club is 4th with W Smith of Danderhall in 5th place he is followed by A Mitchell of Castlebrae in 6th place just ahead of Willie Pryde & son of Easthouses. Another yard behind in 8th place is A Young of Danderhall with M & Mrs. Black of Edinburgh Premier in 9th place 4 yards behind and making up the top 10 is Jimmy Pryde of Easthouses who still lifts £60.00. Joe’s Joke A father buys a lie detector that makes a loud ‘Beep’ whenever somebody lies around it. The son comes home in the afternoon so the father asks him, “So, you were at school today, right?†Son: “Yeah.†Detector: “Beep. “ Son: “OK, OK, I was in a cinema.†Detector: “Beep.†Son: “Alright, I went for a beer with my friends.†Father: “What?! At your age, I wouldn’t touch alcohol!’ Detector: “Beep.†Mother laughs: “Ha ha ha, well, he really is your son!†Detector: “Beep.†***************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Teacher: "If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?" Johnny: "Seven." Teacher: "No, listen carefully... If I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?" Johnny: "Seven." Teacher: "Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you two apples, and another two apples and another two, how many would you have?" Johnny: "Six." Teacher: "Good. Now if I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?" Johnny: "Seven!" Teacher: "Johnny, where in the heck do you get seven from?!" Johnny: "Because I've already got a bloody cat!" Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk and www.pigeon-chat.co.uk also www.pigeonbasics.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland. © Compiled by Joe Murphy
