Joe Murphy Article 1st June 2025

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Sorry the column did not appear last week as I did not have time to do an article as our granddaughter Rachel had a baby boy Luka Angus Litchfield; born on Sunday 4th of May weighing 9 lb. His mum Rachel is Kevin’s and Linda’s daughter and his dad is Phoenix (Rachel’s partner). Both mum and baby are home now and are thriving. This makes it 6 great grandchildren for us 3 girls-3 boys; which is wonderful but you wonder where have all the years gone!!!!!
Race Results 

The weather seems to be improving as we move into May, so let’s hope this continues and the birds will be super fit for the national races which are ahead. One of two people have been having birds return minus some feathers which indicate hawk attacks. Some fanciers have their young birds grouping now and staying longer on the wing while out for their daily exercise. Before you know it, the young bird season will soon be upon us. However, let’s get the old bird nationals out of the way first; good luck to all who are competing and I look forward to reading the reports on the top pigeons in these races. I glad to see that some fanciers are now taking up my request of sending in photographs of their federation winners. 
Race Results
Ayrshire Federation; News from Baz Nicol; who wrote, ‘Good morning, Joe I hope this finds you well; thank you for putting our results into your column. The federation were at Wooler on the 27th April after a spell of better weather in the day’s prior, the birdage was better this week with 86 members sending 1980 birds. The convoy was liberated at 09-30am into no wind turning slightly easterly on route. Winning 1st Centre Section and topping the open is ‘The Don’ Robert (Rab Doo) Donegan of Newmilns, with a super blue bar yearling cock on a velocity of 1606; who wins the Gibb of Galston Cup; Robert’s bird has already won this year in the first week taking the honours in Darvel club. He comes from Soontjen stock via Roy Mulligan of Doncaster. Next on the fed result is the Ardeer HS winner and 1st North Section is Dave Howie who take 2nd to 6th open positions-well done again to Dave and Kirsty who remain a very hard team to beat. Making up the top 10 are the north section partnership of Stirrat & McKenna 7th 8th & 10th with Baz Nicol runner up in Centre Section and 9th fed.  R Donegan is 1st open Ayrshire Federation Wooler OB and 1st & 3rd Centre section. 2nd Centre Section is B Nicol of Irvine. 4th is D McCullen of Kilmaurs and W Julyan of Kilmaurs in 5th. The North section had 901 birds away with D Howie of Ardeer club taking the first 5 places with Stirrat & McKenna taking the next 5 places.  The Central Section had 570 birds R Donegan is 1st & 3rd with B Nicol of Irvine in 2nd spot. D McCullen of Irvine is 4th with W Julyan of Kilmarnock Invitation club in 5th place. A McKenna also from Irvine is 7th with D McTaggart of Kilmarnock Invitation club in 8th place. E Diamond of Irvine HS is 9th with J Stewart of Kilmarnock Invitation in 10th place. South section winner this week is Matt Brown of Whittlets & District on 1537ypm; Cree & Cuthbert of the same club take 2nd & 3rd and Willie Lawrence in 4th & 5th section. Other Club Winners; A Barbour tops the Dalry result. Kilmarnock Invitation is won by W Julyan; Irvine NTHS winner is B Nicol. Carrick & District winners Jamieson & Son. Matt Brown wins Whittlets and D Howie Ardeer. Kilwinning J McNeil, Annbank won by D Graham, Cumnock J & S Galloway and G Slaven takes the win in Mauchline. Another good race Joe, a gentle with helpful weather conditions again. Looking forward now to Appleby as we swing west. Kindest regards Baz Nicol. Club Points; 1st Arder HS 5; 2nd Darvel HS 3; 3rd Kilwinning HS 2; 4th Dalry HS 1; 5th Irvine NTHS 1 point. Fanciers Points total; D Howie 39; R Donegan 27; Stirrat & McKenna 18; J & S O'Hare 16; J Savage 13; B Nicol 12; A Barbour 11; John Simpson 8; D McCullen 6. My thanks to Baz for the result and the photo of the federation winner to go with the report. 
Angus Federation
Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club news form Charlie Cameron who informs us that the Angus federation were at Wooler with 6 club members sending 163 birds; with the convoy liberated at 08-00 am into a light south wind. The club had 6 members sending 129 birds; taking the first 3 places are Charlie and his son Glen with the winner doing a velocity of 1281.8 with Paul Cameron in 4th place. Les McKay win 5th & 6th positions., News from Charlie Cameron with news that the birds 169 of them from 6 members were liberated at 07-30 am into a west to north west wind. Charlie & son Glen take the first 3 places with Paul Cameron in 4th & 8th positions. Les McKay takes 5th to 7th with Gordon McKenzie making up the top 10 places. From the 3rd old bird race flown from Blaydon on 5th May; with the birds liberated at 8-45 am into a light south west wind. We had 6 members sending 148 birds, with Charlie & Glen Cameron took the first 3 places with winner doing 1220. Chic & Ann Carrie are 4th with man of the moment Paul Cameron winning 5th & 7th places. Les McKay wins 6th & 8th with A & A Shepherd winning 9th spot. Graham McKenzie makes up the top 10.  
East of Scotland Federation 
News from Tom McEwan with the Harrowgate race result; flown on the 5th May the convoy was liberated at 9am into a light south west wind. Topping the federation for his 2nd federation win of the season is Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton with a yearling blue hen. George Veitch of East Salton is keeping up his great results winning 3rd 5th 9th & 10th federation. Brian Lavery of Prestonpans has a good yearling chequer cock in 3rd place. Andrew Gilpin of Haddington completes a double winning 4th & 7th fed. John Baillie of Tranent keeps up his good run by winning 6th & 8th federation. Prestonpans HS; the winner was Brian Lavery with a yearling blue cock; John Baillie takes the next 2 places, with his first bird a 2-year-old dark chequer hen, she is a granddaughter of the cock that won 40th open SNFC Roye and 7th open Ypres. He was also on the SNFC Young Bird result. John’s 2nd bird was a yearling blue cock bred from stock purchased by Performance Pigeons UK Stud. 
Pentland Hills Federation
News from Andy Miller with the news of the second race of the season, marking was delayed 24 hours due to a poor weather forecast in the Tyne Valley/Newcastle area. So, on Sunday 27th April from Hexham the birds were liberated into south-to-south west wind at 09:00. Winning the federation this week is Freddie & Willie Robertson from Magdalene on the East side of Edinburgh, who fly in Danderhall club. They timed a 2-year-old widowhood cock, bred by Alistair MacLean from Oban. Breeding being Jos Cools through Adam Wealthall. Sire is ‘PayPal’ pictured with his hen in the attached photo. The partnership also won 2nd & 11th positions. Returns were good for some and poor for others so it looks like the Percy’s have been playing with them, as a few have turned in with injuries. A McLaughlin of Edinburgh Premier is 3rd with Cameron & Winters of Danderhall winning 4th open with club mates Black & Coupe winning 5th & 7th open. O Cocon of Woodburn club is 6th with J Robertson in 8th place with W Kinnear & son of the same club are 9th with Helen Aitken & Son of Woodburn taking the 10th spot. From the third race of the season from Darlington a distance of 110 to 123 miles to the members. The birds were liberated into west to north west wind at 06:45. Winning the federation this week is Willie Pryde & son John from Gorebridge who fly in the Danderhall club. They timed in their 2-year-old widowhood hen, bred by Steven Girdwood from Sighthill. (See attached photo). Returns were very gappy at first although most worked their way in throughout the day, with only a few losses at close of play, with some fanciers doing better than others. with the result of the 4th race of the 2024 was from Harrogate; flown on 5th May with a distance of 138-152 miles for the members. The convoy of 1002 birds entered by 52 lofts was liberated at 09:00 in a south west wind. Winning 1st federation is John Dowling & loft manager Eric Willis from Danderhall Club. They timed their yearling Frans Van Wildemeersch hen on a velocity of 1209. The hen was bred by Rab Marinello from Sighthill club and was raced natural sitting on 14-day eggs. Sire is a son of ‘Banker’ purchased from Mark Williams from Prestatyn a breeder of many winners. Dam was bred by the late Ian Parsons from Cumbria. This stock pair bred last year’s 2nd open Peterborough young bird Midweek race last year for Black & Robertson Danderhall. Second & 3rd is Freddie & Willie Robertson from Danderhall with their 2nd bird winning £353. The fourth place goes to the Woodburn partnership of Brown & Black with K Dick of Edinburgh Premier club winning 5th & 16th open. The Danderhall partnership of the Winter Family are 6th & 7th with club mates Willie Pryde & son John in 8th position, they also won 11th 12th & 13th open. Lindsay & Mackie also from Danderhall are 14th open. Returns seem to be quite good with only a couple missing from most lofts. Our next race Joe is from Bubwith, kindest regards Andy.                   
Fife Federation 
News from Geordie Todd with the Alnwick race with 1183 birds liberated at 08-30am into a south west wind. Taking the top 10 places in the federation 1183 birds and 593 of these birds are in the east section is John Harcus of St Andrews club with the winner doing a velocity of 1461.  St Andrews club sent 129 birds; Methilhaven club sent 211 birds, Kennoway entered 199 birds and Nover / Leslie sent 54 birds. Brian Kinnear wins Kennoway club J & G Peggie win Methilhaven club and Turpie & McCord win Nover & Leslie. The West section had Dunfermline sending 312 birds Lochgelly sending 278 birds. J Hynd & son of Lochgelly win 1st 6th 7th & 10th places, with Eddie McWilliams of Dunfermline winning 2nd & 3rd spots. Andy Ritchie of the same club wins 4th & 5th positions.  From the Darlington race the convoy of 1053 birds liberated at 08-30am into a north west wind. Taking the top place in the East Section with 215 birds is John Harcus of St Andrews with the following clubs sending (St Andrews 109 birds; Nover & Leslie 65 birds; Kennoway 194 birds) John won the following open positions of 1st 5th 6th & 9th open and 1st 2nd 3rd 5th & 9th east section. Dave Armour of Methilhaven club is 8th & 10th open and 4th 6th 7th 8th & 10th east section positions.  J Hynd & son Ian of Lochgelly sent 222 birds and they win 1st 2nd 3rd & 7th open and 1st 2nd 3rd & 5th west section; A Simpson of Dunfermline sent 248 birds; he wins 4th west section with club mates O’Reilly & Park winning 6th place, Willie Sharp of the same club is 7th with Andy Ritchie also from Dunfermline club taking the 8th 9th & 10th positions. From the Wooler 2 race the convoy of 1222 birds liberated at 14-30pm into a West to South West wind. Birdage breakdown was as follows; Kennoway sending 266 birds; Methilhaven 181 birds; St Andrews 90 birds; Novar & Leslie 47 birds; Crossgates 172 birds; Dunfermline 236 birds and Lochgelly 230 birds. 
Taking the top spot and also winning 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 7th 8th & 9th east section and open is John Harcus of St Andrews club. S Diamond of Kennoway is 6th with B Chalmers in 10th place. 
The West section was won by J Coltart Snr of Lochgelly club with R Cook of Crossgates club in 2nd & 4th positions. Eddie McWilliams of Dunfermline club is 3rd with J Hynd & son of Lochgelly club winning 5th 7th & 8th positions. My old pal Walker Kennedy from Dunfermline is in 9th spot with club mate Andy Ritchie 10th. Other Club First Bird; Methilhaven winner David Armour with Novar & Leslie winner Turpie & McCord. Correction to last week’s Alnwick result West Section Places G Williams (9th & 10th Novar & Leslie)  
Kingdom Federation
News from Pete Penman who writes; ‘Hi Joe, hope you and Margaret are both well. The Kingdom held their first race of the 2025 season from Berwick on the 19th of April.  Taking the first two places is St Serfs member John Proctor. The winner is a 2-year-old chequer cock bred from two Jockey King birds purchased at his dispersal sale. In third too 6th position is Coaltown of Balgonie member Gary Hall. First over the board was a 2-year-old chequer cock sitting 2-day eggs who has already clocked two first prize tickets to date. Our second race was from Alnwick on Sunday 27th April as Saturday's forecast was a bit iffy. Leading the way is St Serfs Sandy Proctor with a yearling blue cock on the drive. He has previously topped the Kingdom as a youngster, and was bred by his good friend Brian Gorton. In second place is Gary Hall with a 2-year-old blue cock on the drive.  In third place was last week's leader John Proctor with a yearling. From the 3rd race of the season from Darlington the birds were liberated at 08-30am into a north west wind which proved an early tester for the convoy. Leading the way is St Serfs member Sandy Proctor with chequer which flight hen bred by Brian Gorton. She has already won the Kingdom young birds open race; and also has a 2nd placed position in the Kingdom to her name; showing she is a class pigeon. In second place is the very consistent loft of Rosyth's Hugh Gormley. The next 4 positions went to Coaltown's Gary Hall. Firstly, with a 2-year-old blue chequer cock that already won 1st club from Berwick this year and now has 4 x 1st prize tickets showing he is another class pigeon. As a matter of interest Joe; Gary just put the birds on roundabout on Monday. News from Leuchars club were E &E Young just edged out Dunc Walker for the red card. ‘Hi Joe we were meant to be at Darlington along with the Fife Federation. Unfortunately, some nine miles south of Alnwick the transporter suffered a blow out. Thankfully the driver and birds were all ok. Jim managed to nurse the motor back to Alnwick with hope of a liberation from there on Saturday, but with a rugby match taking place and the car park quickly filling up there was no chance of a liberation. After the blow out was repaired and no suitable place found to liberate it was decided to head north to Wooler. Finally, the birds were liberated at 14.30 in a west/south west wind. Leading the way this week was the Leuchars loft of Eric & Liz Young with a Frans Zwols cock sitting 10-day eggs. 2nd was the inform loft of Gary Hall of Coaltown of Balgonie club with a home bred yearling chequer cock on roundabout. In 3rd place again was Eric & Liz Young with a gift bird from Tom Berwick flying to the perch. 4th position went to Chic Dinsdale of Coaltown of Balgonie with a yearling chequer cock that was 5th club last week and he also won 1st club from the young bird Wakefield last year. Rosyth took the next two places with Hugh Gormley just edging out Mitchell & Stonehouse. The late Bob Blyth took the red card at St. Serfs with Sandy Proctor in second spot just ousting brother John into 3rd place. Taking 3rd club at Coaltown was club secretary Pete Penman with a 4-year-old red hen that has many good club positions flying spare. A big thank you must go out to the Fife Fed officials for getting us a race under very trying conditions. Pete has kindly shown me a photograph of a pigeon that returned home from the 2nd race of the season with a big gap in its wing. The season is now over for this bird which is a big disappointment as the bird was due to go over the channel this year. 
Once again Joe many thanks and kindest regards Pete P.
North of Scotland Federation
News from George Duthie with the result of the Brechin old bird race flown on the 27th April with 47 members sending 1200 birds; these were liberated into a light south wind on the 27th of April. The East Section had 23 members sending 639 birds; taking the top honours are the Maskame & Cordiner partnership of Peterhead & District club with 3-year-old doing a velocity of 1872; the partnership also won 3rd & 4th places in the section and open. Peterhead & District took all 10 section and open positions. 2nd open is Neil Holt with S Glue in 5th spot. R H Whyte wins 6th 8th & 9th positions with A Woodhouse winning 7th place and G Findlay makes up the top 10 winning this position. The West Section had 24 members sending 561 birds with A Flett of Keith club winning the section and 32nd open. Devern Valley club members J Abel won 2nd 3rd & 4th section 32nd 33rd & 34th open. A Wilson from the same Devern Valley club wins 5th 6th & 7th section 36th 37th & 38th open with Keith’s R Wilson winning 8th section 39th open. N Pirie of Devern Valley club wins 10th section 41st open. 
Clubs First Bird
Maskame & Cordiner win Peterhead & District velocity 1872.148; Colin McRae wins Fraserburgh & District velocity 1761.406; Fraserburgh West End club won by R Barclay velocity 1676.744; Inverurie is won by S Witherspoon velocity 1438.955; Keith club is won by A Flett on 1150.245; with J Abel winning Devern Valley on 1121.958; A MacGillivary of Elgin & District velocity 1054.105. Congratulations to all the above and well done to Maskame & Cordiner on topping the federation and also well done to A Flett on winning the West Section. From the Strathkinness 1 old bird race flown on the 3rd May there were 49 members sending 1174 birds who were liberated into a north west wind. The East section had 23 members sending 591 birds; with Colin McRae of Fraserburgh & District club taking the first 3 places in the race with 2 of them on velocities of 1332 with the 3rd bird on 1331.A W Buchan of the same club wins 4th 5th & 10th section and open. A Woodhouse of Peterhead & District is 6th section and open with clubmate R H Whyte winning 7th place followed by another Peterhead partnership of Maskame & Cordiner win 8th position. D Ward of Fraserburgh West End club is 9th with A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District winning 10th section and open. The West Section had 26 members sending 583 birds with A Wilson of Devern Valley club winning the 1st & 7th west section and 31st & 37th open; his club mate A Fulton wins 2nd section 32nd open with another Devern Valley member A Hay winning 3rd & 10th section 33rd & 40th open. A Raymond of the same club is 4th section 34th open with R Wilson of Keith club timing 3 birds to win 5th 6th & 8th section 35th 36th & 38th open. Mick Binnie of Devern Valley is 9th section and 39th open. 
Clubs First Bird
Fraserburgh & District winner Colin McRae with a velocity of 1332.424
Peterhead & District won by A Woodhouse velocity 1294.876
Fraserburgh West End winner was D Ward velocity 1285.980
Inverurie winner was S Witherspoon velocity 1276.522
Devern Valley winner A Wilson velocity 1089.300
Keith won by R Wilson on a velocity of 1044.406
Elgin & District won by W Ritchie velocity 999.204; well done to Colin McRae on topping the federation and congratulations to Andy Wilson on winning the West Section.
Almond Valley Federation
News from secretary Lynn Stewart with the Wooler race flown on 26th April with the 860 birds liberated at 10:00 am. With S Russell of Bonnybridge club taking the first 3 places plus 5th 7th & 8th not bad going having 6 birds in the top 10. John Hadfield of Armadale wins 4th & 6th places. With L & R McDuff of Bonnybridge winning 9th spot and Mr & Mrs Fleming of East Calder in 10th spot. 
Club Winners; 
Armadale 115 birds; J Hadfield 1454.642, 1453.381, 1431.967, 1429.220
Bonnybridge 268 birds; S Russell 1460.592, 1460.330, 1455. 1454.
Carnwath 16 birds; Dr J Salmond 1197. R Robertson 944. Dr J Salmond 885. R Robertson 877.
East Calder 115 birds; Mr Mrs Fleming 1444. F Jamieson & Son 1442. 1416., 1403.
Fauldhouse 237 birds; S Redmond 1411. 1409. C Smillie 1409. S Redmond 1406.
West Calder 109 birds; J Bird 1434. 1433. 1425, D Jamieson 1393.
From the Alnwick race from on the 3rd May the convoy of 1277 birds was liberated at 07:05 hours. Freddie Jamieson & son of East Calder take top place with a velocity of 1191. J Hadfield of Armadale wins 2nd 3rd 9th & 10th; with club mate D McBeath winning 4th & 5th open. John Bird of West Calder is 6th with T Gavin of Fauldhouse club winning 7th open. S Russell of Bonnybridge club is 8th open.
Armadale 142 birds; J Hadfield 1186.404, 1182,555, D McBeath 1180.396, 1179.354
Bonnybridge 361 birds; S Russell 1166.383, V Couper 1159.366, 1158.440, B & D Halliday 1143.078
Carnwath 26 birds; Dr J Salmond 810.307, R Robertson 745.001, 694.976, 691.400
East Calder 191 birds; F Jamieson & Son 1191.052, C Ross 1086.376, F Jamieson & Son 1074.526, 1038.201
Fauldhouse 333 birds; T Gavin 1173.075, C Smillie 1161.170, 1140.093, J Brown 1125.081,
West Calder 224 birds; J Bird 1175.155, 1140.447, 1137.029, 1136.141
Scottish Central Federation 
News from Bernie Britton with the result of the Hexham race flown on the 4th May with a convoy of 982 pigeons liberated at 10-00am into a west wind. 
Winchburgh club sent 202 birds taking 1st club 7th federation is Charlie Job with a young mealy widowhood cock down from his David Jamieson lines. Charlie has retired just recently and now has the time to spend with his birds which is starting to pay off. 2nd club 8th federation is Mark Doran with a Gaby from Ronnie Wright.
3rd club 14th fed is Peter Keogh with a black hen bred by Dougie Barnes from is Syndicate Loft birds. Equal 4th club 15th and 16th federation with a couple of blue hens is once again Peter. One from his Page Brothers stock and the other a mixture of the bloodlines within the loft. Peter had four birds drop together all doing 888yds/m. Broxburn club sent 194 birds; with Gordon MacKenzie taking the first 4 positions; his 1st & 4th pigeons were bred by D Hawkins and Evans being Gaby Vandenabeele’s. His 2nd pigeon is his own Gaby and his 3rd pigeon again home bred Gaby from my best Gaby's 5 sent 194
Angus Federation 
News from David Liddle who wrote; Please find the results attached for our race from Blaydon with 25 members sending 631 birds; these were liberated at 08-45 am into a light south west wind. The race was delayed by 24 hours due to a poor weather forecast for Saturday and the race control team of Davie Glen and Danny Henderson excelled once again to give us good race on Sunday. Forfar Club’s Ian Scott takes the top spot with a 2-year-old widowhood cock. He was bred from a pair of Busschaerts from Ian`s late friend Bob Baldie and he has won 6th club 7th federation from Kettering last year along with other minor positions. Davie Glen was 2nd & 6th club and federation with his first bird a 2-year-old Busschaert widowhood cock. This pigeon was 1st club and federation last year from Melton Mowbray and also won 6th club and federation from Wooler 2 weeks ago. Ken Droog & son are 3rd with W Nicol winning 5th & 9th open. D J Liddle wins 7th position in both with Eric Galloway wins 10th position in both club and federation; kindest regards, David
Club Winners; 
Forfar had 15 members sending 417 birds; 1st I Scott 1297.126 2nd D Glen 1297.12. 
Arbroath had 6 members sending 148 birds; 1st P Cameron 1220.25 2nd C & G Cameron 
Gourdon 2 members sending 41 birds; 1st D & D Hay 1188.76
Montrose; 2 members sending 25 birds; 1st M Wallace & Son 1028.79
Thank You 
Thanks to the above press officers for their results. If you wish your club or federation to be highlighted in the column, then send me an email by Monday of each week.    

 

Space Weather 
The 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table; Issued 12 May 2025
   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2025 May 12     125           8          5
2025 May 13     120          12          4
2025 May 14     120          10          3
2025 May 15     115           5          2
2025 May 16     115           5          2
2025 May 17     115           5          2
2025 May 18     115           8          3
2025 May 19     120          10          4
2025 May 20     125           8          3
2025 May 21     125           8          3
2025 May 22     125           6          2
2025 May 23     130           6          2
2025 May 24     130           6          2
2025 May 25     130           5          2
2025 May 26     135           5          2
2025 May 27     140           8          3
2025 May 28     140          25          5
2025 May 29     140          30          5
2025 May 30     140          20          5
2025 May 31     140          20          5
2025 Jun 01     145          20          5
2025 Jun 02     145          12          4
2025 Jun 03     145           8          3
2025 Jun 04     145          10          4
2025 Jun 05     140          12          4
2025 Jun 06     130          10          4
2025 Jun 07     125          10          4
As you will see from the graft the end of May/ beginning of June looks a lot higher – which is the time of the first SNFC race from Reading. 

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.pigeonbasics.com www.thecanadianpigeoninternational.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland
© Compiled by Joe Murphy