Roland

tequilaskylark if genuine or not, just walk the hedgerows. Saw a corner bush just 9 days ago, teaming with small birds.... then for miles nary many at all. The comment was exactly as MOST have heard of the older generation. That is how it was and should be. Hedges teaming with wonderful singing colours, namely birds. Us over 50's remember them days well. Yes the Squirrels were about. Magpies kept to a manageable quota, likewise B.O.P. and Sparrow Hawks. o yes EVERYONE that was interested in seeing birds, of whatever sort COULD! my grandchildren are already missing out on so very many lovely species. Their children will only see B.O.P. killing and eating other B.O.P. For the simple reality is there won't be anything else to eat. Simple realism and fact is that, and no need for study, or investigations, for they ain’t there no more in any way as they was, and oh so very few left that once was teaming. This was when ‘Bird egg collecting’ was ventured into by nigh every child…. All to no real harm as the numbers took that in the ‘Stride’!. But like all 'Powers to Be' so trumped up with self egoist and false pride, they won't see further than their nose to make money, and poster false reasons to tickle the ears, and spout the simple ole fool proof ‘We are doing this so Our children, and their’ children’s children will be able to put this right and see the beauty of the hedgerows' …whilst smiling all the way to the bank! I mean just how does one equate that there are millions of birds missing every year, when more and better 'Habitat' are around and cared for etc? This is 'All me Eye' to fool many, but rather more in real terms the RSPB'S PROGRAM TO BREED MORE food the the B.O.P. and S. Hawks to keep them alive! For hey know better than most that the carnage can't continue with out replacing the food chain. That is why they are, and will import from abroad to sustain their efforts, know deviously that they will be dead and gone, wealthy and passing on yet another head ache of a problem, not being abled to be rememdied.

Sore eyes!

stupor

Safer than Sorry

What?

Why of course?

Watch (in) Brail !

Owen has Eloquently put across in mild languange what many could and would in not so mild form. I for one. Can't se, as Rod adams wrote yet this week, why 18,000,000 birds should suffer (to the S.Hawk alone), be eaten alive and torn to pieces, just to make a wicked, and evil concern £millions! Doesn't need a rocket science, or college degree to time 155,000 paiars x 6. that is 155,000 x 2 which is 3010 x 6 (birds at least each) x 365 days.Yep S. Hawks alone! Further perhaps a college degree could answer what justicifaction the RSPB have of taking £millions each year from the elderly, and bird lovers that wish - think - to see the pretty gardens birds that THEY think the RSPB are protecting!

Owen has Eloquently put across in mild languange what many could and would in not so mild form. I for one. Can't se, as Rod adams wrote yet this week, why 18,000,000 birds should suffer (to the S.Hawk alone), be eaten alive and torn to pieces, just to make a wicked, and evil concern £millions! Doesn't need a rocket science, or college degree to time 155,000 paiars x 6. that is 155,000 x 2 which is 3010 x 6 (birds at least each) x 365 days.Yep S. Hawks alone! Further perhaps a college degree could answer what justicifaction the RSPB have of taking £millions each year from the elderly, and bird lovers that wish - think - to see the pretty gardens birds that THEY think the RSPB are protecting!

Hairy backside

Help!

Say that again

Well Bump again. Must be the best opening offer(s) - without a starting bid put into place - ever! Mind they look the part to boot!

Mind a good read, and outside of the obvious we all know about, I.e. bloom etc. it must give us all the realism that pigons can be enjoyed to a ripe old age. I'd bet he would have had a lesser life, and even died earlier perhaps, if it wasn't for the enjoyment he had from his feathered friends.

Your Fault

Blameless me eh!

Nile

Mate

Leisurely Stroll

I'm Sure Too

Nah ye Dun't

Tealeaf

Nor Mine ................

Thanks to the Alberta classic for reminding us! 24 September 2010 Last updated at 15:58 ET Share this page Facebook / Twitter Share Email Print Wartime hero pigeon Paddy honoured with fly-past Paddy was born and raised in Carnlough One of Northern Ireland's smallest World War II heroes has been honoured. Paddy, a messenger pigeon who served with the RAF during the Normandy operations in June 1944, was remembered in his home town of Larne on Friday. PDSA, Britain's biggest veterinary charity, awarded Paddy the Dickin Medal, dubbed the animals' "Victoria Cross", 65 years ago this month. He received it for being the first pigeon to reach England with a coded message from the battle-front beaches of D-Day. The brave bird brought back vital information about the Allies' progress, flying 230 miles in four hours 50 minutes - the fastest time of any of the messenger pigeons involved in the mission with an average speed of 56mph. PDSA spokesman James Puxty said: "Paddy's contribution to the D-Day operations was a credit to the thousands of messenger pigeons donated by the racing pigeon fraternity for service during World War II. "He was one of 32 brave, feathered heroes that received the PDSA Dickin Medal for their life-saving flights during the war, and the only recipient from Northern Ireland." Local hero Paddy was born and raised in Carnlough and joined thousands of other racing birds who were trained and drafted to RAF Hurn in Hampshire for military service. Impressing military brass with his flying in the Air-Sea rescue units he was seconded to the United States First Army for undercover missions during the Normandy Landings. In the face of poor weather conditions and the threat of German falcons, deployed to intercept Paddy and his comrades, he delivered his message to his home loft at RAF Hurn. After the war Paddy returned to Carnlough and lived out his days with his owner Captain Andrew Hughes, until his death in 1954. A memorial to the winged hero was erected in Carnlough harbour. The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 A feathered fly-past of pigeons formed part of the Paddy Memorial Day event held at Larne Museum and Arts Centre. Larne Borough Council and the town's historical society were joined by guests from PDSA and the owner of Paddy's PDSA Dickin Medal, former Irish Army officer Kevin Spring. Younger guests were entertained by Gail Seekamp, the children's author, who read from her book "Paddy the Pigeon". The Dickin Medal was introduced in 1943 by Maria Dickin, PDSA's founder. She wanted to recognise the gallantry and devotion to duty of animals serving with the Armed Forces and Civil Defence units during WWII.