Groups meet to discuss racing pigeon and peregrine

[micko and jack]

CHAIRDE FRIENDS

i was on last night and to honest i was saddened to see what was happening (re DOVEScot) and in the season of good will to all MEN WOMEN AND BIRDS so i was looking through google i typed in fantail breeding and came across this and i know it will be of interest to all fanciers i cut and pasted the whole thing mick

 

Groups meet to discuss racing pigeon and peregrine issues

27 November 2008

Stephen Harris

PR Adviser

E-mail: stephen.harris@rspb.org.uk

 

 

The RSPB, the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group (NIRSG) and representatives of pigeon racing or show groups have met for the first time.

 

This unusual group of collaborators has come together to try to solve the problems faced by each side. The pigeon groups are very concerned at the loss of their pigeons to peregrine falcons, while the RSPB and the NIRSG aim to protect peregrine populations.

 

James Robinson, Conservation Manager at the RSPB is pleased the groups have met: “We recognise the strong wish of the pigeon groups to undertake their sport and protect their birds. At the same time, the peregrine falcon is a species protected by European and national law. The peregrine population in Northern Ireland has declined in recent years, and we believe this is linked to illegal persecution although no convictions have been secured. We hope that this meeting will be the first of many to consider solutions that will reduce pigeon losses, while protecting peregrine populations at the same time. We hope all groups will condemn any illegal activity.â€

 

Peter Martin of the Ulster Federation of Racing Pigeons said, “The meeting was never going to be easy, but we are pleased to have the opportunity to raise our concerns with the RSPB and the NIRSG face to face. It’s great the RSPB has said it is willing to talk about solutions like ‘hawk-eyes’ to scare peregrines and other raptors from pigeon lofts, or diversionary feeding. The problems won’t stop tomorrow, but we want to reassure our members that we are working to uphold their interests.â€

 

Marc Ruddock, Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group and Queen’s University agreed: “I’m delighted that the pigeon groups will help to collect data that will inform better research into these problems in future. We’ve also agreed to do joint press releases in future.â€

 

The meeting was hosted by Quercus at Queen’s University Belfast. The groups intend to meet again to discuss specific solutions.

 

 

Notes

 

Notes to editors

For further information or to arrange an interview, contact the relevant representative below.

 

 

 

RSPB NI Media Officer Stephen Harris stephen.harris@rspb.org.uk or 07736 477526

 

 

 

The pigeon groups attending the meeting were:

 

·            Local Tumblers and Tipplers representatives – Bobby Dunseith 07756 202345

 

·            The Irish Homing Union (IHU) – Ken McConaghie kenmcconaghie38@btinternet.com or 07512 856775

 

·            The Northern Ireland Provincial Amalgamation of Racing Pigeons (NIPA) - Fred Russell fred@niparacingpigeons.co.uk, 90351441 or 90234805

 

·            The Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA)

 

·            The Ulster Federation of Racing Pigeons - Peter Martin flyordielofts@hotmail.co.uk or 07770 415941

 

 

 

Marc Ruddock, NIRSG and QUB, can be contacted on m.ruddock@qub.ac.uk or 07762 122755

 

 

 

Quercus is the Northern Ireland research centre for biodiversity and conservation biology. The group was established as a partnership between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Queen's University, Belfast.

 

 

 

[ch pied]

they were tied in knot's by the fancier's ,

[Merlin]

I would sincerely hope they listened to the real fears of pigeon keepers,but somehow I cant help being sceptical,once deterrents are being mooted,its farcical as most fanciers will testify,but fair play to fanciers involved,but I don't think we should hold our breath

[ch pied]

I would sincerely hope they listened to the real fears of pigeon keepers,but somehow I cant help being sceptical,once deterrents are being mooted,its farcical as most fanciers will testify,but fair play to fanciers involved,but I don't think we should hold our breath

correct , the rspb are starting to believe their own propaganda , their in total denial as to the bop problem , one that attended the meeting stated that he is never of the hill's and has seen very few bop

 

 

[Tony C]

This perhaps is old news, a survey carried out in Scotland 2002  

 

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/article?title=pigeons&title_type=tka&year_from=1998&year_to=2009&database=1&pageSize=20&index=25

The paper was published by the British Trust for Ornithology ( Volume 55, Number 1, 1 March 2008 )

[ch pied]

 

They might tied them in knots in the meeting but can they do it outside where everyone can see whats going on and make it count   RSPB dont seem to struggle getting anything in the media and they certainly not short of money and having influential people backing them have we got anything like that  :-/

agreed , they have a propaganda machine that can be swung into action at the drop of a hat , but the good  work that can be achieved must continue , on a different leval

 

 

[mark]

I would sincerely hope they listened to the real fears of pigeon keepers,but somehow I cant help being sceptical,once deterrents are being mooted,its farcical as most fanciers will testify,but fair play to fanciers involved,but I don't think we should hold our breath

 

they could not give a sh** about pigeon fanciers.

[just ask me]

ahhh christ  how many times ive had success again today all these things wont work only way is to go out and fix the problem yourself its easily done a couple of hours every sunday u will see the results if every member here spend a few hours every week the results would be great instead of sitting down watching the soccer or even being on here simple really

[alec guinness]

the scottish homing union have been very active regarding raptors,shu website worth a look with scottish parliament involved re sparrowhawks.

[alec guinness]

 

They have been for while havent they didnt they have stand up at Blackpool once  shame the RPRA didnt back them up on what they were doing

 

yes rose a lot of money and effort by the shu,maybe now a bit of light at the end of the window.

[white logan]

I would sincerely hope they listened to the real fears of pigeon keepers,but somehow I cant help being sceptical,once deterrents are being mooted,its farcical as most fanciers will testify,but fair play to fanciers involved,but I don't think we should hold our breath

 

lets not forget : the rspb has made MILLIONS  of £££££££s out of the peregrine appeal fund , how the sparrow hawk and peregrine sufferd because of mans involvment with DDT , game keepers & illeagal traping . its all down to money and those that view pigeons as flying rats , we now have european eagal owls eating harriers , had the red kite re-introduced ,buzzards looking at you from every other roadside fence post all because of the moneys the rspb are collecting , they aint interested in maintaining the "status quo" because no one knows what that it is , they just want money and power so they can keep buying land ,........ i dont have much tolerance for birds of prey anymore ............

they are just paying nothing more than "lip service" to pigeon fanciers .          tossers

                                                                                                                                                    

[white logan]

 

Be probably some of the best money they spent if they can get things changed

 

you have more chance of raising the titanic love , oh sorry here is lord lucan riding sherghar .....no chance

[alec guinness]

 

you have more chance of raising the titanic love , oh sorry here is lord lucan riding sherghar .....no chance

 

ho ho ho humbug,the shu will keep working away. ;)

[white logan]

 

ho ho ho humbug,the shu will keep working away. ;)

 

yeh thats all you will do "keep working away" , look at their web site (rspb) the propaganda machine outstrips anything the SHU can provide , DEFRA as it is called in england is infiltrated to the very core by the rspb ,example,  barroness barbra young being the head of DEFRA , well her previous job was hmmmmmmmmm the RSPB , dream on mate

[bobtail]

as i see it what a waste of money there will be falcons when we are all gone

[jimmy white]

at least unions are talking , i beleive all unions should, the rspb have the money the propaganda machine which is suffice for them,, we only talk as pigeon fanciers, there is the s.o.s,  save our song birds group ,, this organization, is made up of dis-satisfied rspb members,[who know the inside truths of the rspb] , , i believe  the pigeon fanciers  should be collective members of this organization , as it is not just the song birds that are fastly dissapearing , most other birds are too, including  pigeons , whether racing ,or backyard pigeons , , i beleive that in scotland the rspb believe the perigrines and sparrow hawks have risen in numbers [but they will deny the proper numbers, they have risen by] so this is at least a start, pigeon fanciers , twitchers , song bird lovers , unions , should all [in my opinion ]be pulling from the same rope.   at least,  by all pulling together , the rope will be pulled harder,, ,,,,but never to give in , and unions never use it for their own propaganda,, all should be together in this, in bringing the true side of the story to the public

[jimmy white]

i cant find the old postings on hawks etc, this told a true story,,

also the public being made more aware of the pigeons of war [on racing pigeons ..sticky thread]  how these gallant birds saved so many lives

[Guest IB]

Meeting and having talks is at least a good first step.

 

It shows major change in that RSPB at least acknowledge that there is a problem. Hopefully they will help find an amicable and effective solution to it.

 

[Guest Freebird]

correct , the rspb are starting to believe their own propaganda , their in total denial as to the bop problem , one that attended the meeting stated that he is never of the hill's and has seen very few bop

 

Tell him to build a loft and he will not have to go to the hills(wiseman)

[ch pied]

Tell him to build a loft and he will not have to go to the hills(wiseman)

too right

 

 

[ChrisMaidment08]

thought it took 8 years to trap sporrow hawks up there and did the rspb object that fanciers were going to be doing it

[Guest challengerlofts]

almost every year & when Christmas is approaching. RSPB's very active with their work, it's Christmas time, really.

[just ask me]

Meeting and having talks is at least a good first step.

 

It shows major change in that RSPB at least acknowledge that there is a problem. Hopefully they will help find an amicable and effective solution to it.

 

dont take me up wrong but ure living in fantasyland

[PigeonTracker]

Meeting and having talks is at least a good first step.

 

It shows major change in that RSPB at least acknowledge that there is a problem. Hopefully they will help find an amicable and effective solution to it.

 

Acknowledging there is a problem is all well and good IB, doing something tangible about it is another.  You know your on a loser when you read the opening statement on the subject.....

 

Some pigeon fanciers are concerned that the increase in the numbers of birds of prey, particularly peregrines and sparrowhawks, is posing a significant threat to their hobby. Peregrines and sparrowhawks will kill racing pigeons and can cause injury or disruption to flocks.

 

Paying attention to the patronising SOME word, you tell me ONE fancer who isn't bothered.  

 

Do a poll on here whether people are concerned or not, I'll bet its more than just some.

[ChrisMaidment08]

 

Acknowledging there is a problem is all well and good IB, doing something tangible about it is another.  You know your on a loser when you read the opening statement on the subject.....

 

Some pigeon fanciers are concerned that the increase in the numbers of birds of prey, particularly peregrines and sparrowhawks, is posing a significant threat to their hobby. Peregrines and sparrowhawks will kill racing pigeons and can cause injury or disruption to flocks.some are concerned enough to do something but 80percent of fanciers moan and want others to do things we proved it on here

 

Paying attention to the patronising SOME word, you tell me ONE fancer who isn't bothered.  

 

Do a poll on here whether people are concerned or not, I'll bet its more than just some.