"Save our racing pigeons," say UK pigeon fanciers who are campaigning to save their sport from relentless bird of prey attacks
Incidents are now being reported every other day. It has become apparent that there is a huge cause for concern as their numbers are becoming seriously out of control. These are not just localised incidents, this is happening on a daily basis all over the country. Pigeons are not just being taken whilst in the flying around the loft, they are being ambushed on top of the lofts.
Fanciers have now started a campaign to save their sport of pigeon racing since more and more fanciers are leaving the sport every year, due to heavy bird losses. One fancier has said he cannot bear to see his birds massacred in this way and has now decided to call it a day. This is now a common story from fanciers all over the UK. Many fanciers are outraged. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) refuses to accept their claims, saying fanciers are hugely over exaggerating the whole situation.
Reports are now coming in to save our racing pigeons. Fanciers are reporting losses from two to fifteen birds already this year. One fancier who had been in hospital for a knee operation came home to find total carnage. Fifteen dead racing pigeon carcases and plucked feathers littered the surrounding gardens.
Fanciers are now asking fellow fanciers for support to raise awareness to this problem. They have set up a petition which is to be presented to the British Government. They want to have this matter debated in parliament and find a solution to this very serious problem that threatens their sport.
Comments
Hello UK
You are not alone
Here in Belgium we have the same problem !!
The sparrow hawk like a young bird very much and now he found a lot by the fanciers like me !!
Goodluck
stef
Geachte sportvrienden,
Zet een opgemaakte oehoe (grijs/bruin uilensoort) op een stok in de tuin.
Ware grootte tussen de 40 en 60 cm handhaven!!!!!
Bij mij is het probleem met roofvogels de laatste 2 jaar opgelost.
Veel succes.
Voor vragen
Met sportgroeten,
John Heijnen, Geleen, Nederland
Thank you so much PIPA, for helping us highlight this very serious problem that threatens the continuation of our sport, here in the UK.
Thank you Stef and John for your comments and wishes, it is very much appreciated.
Kind Regards
Gary
We want to support you with the difficult fight against animal welfare organizations.
Here are sparrowhawk, goshawk and peregrine also great enemies.
Especially against the peregrine is no action and they are also on high buildings the opportunity to breed young ones.
André van de Wiel
Boscheind Flyers
Luyksgestel NL
Thanks to Pipa for helping with this petition. These birds of prey are overpopulated now and are causing too much devastation to racing pigeons and indeed all birds.
Here in Normandy ( France) we have the same problem... As the LPO didnt do anything, each Fancier have to take appropriate measure on is own... and thats what we do !
Act in silence....because enough is enough now. Those birds of prey have NO predators... except some motivated Fanciers who are bored to see their Racing Pigeons catched in the air o on the Loft's roof.
Here in America we encounter the same problems. Not only do the hawks and falcons kill the pigeons, they also destroy the beautiful song birds. Most song birds are grain eaters, and that's what the hawks and falcons prefer. Tell your government that you want to listen to the beautiful song bird in the early mornings and the early evenings. They will care about that far more than they will care about your pigeons..it is unfortunate but true.
(Even Government officials like to listen to the song birds)
I have a high powered air rifle that shoots small pellets...it makes a quiet sound, and is extreemly powerful and accurate. I have eliminated my hawk problems!!
Thank you fanciers for your comments.
This has over the years, become a huge problem and is just getting worse every year.
The Bird Protection people here in the UK, would like us all to take this action as this shows the fancy in a bad way. They like to use the term, Persecuted Raptors. This is what makes people donate millions of pounds per year to protect them. Because they tell everyone that they are in danger, from Gamekeepers, Farmers, Country Estate Managers, Hunters, Pigeon Fanciers. They want everyone to think they are in danger and in small numbers.
The only way for us in the UK, to deal with the problem, is to make lots of noise, make everybody listen. This problem has been made by the authorities and it should be dealt with by the authorities. If you kill or injure one of these birds it's against the law and they will send you to prison or give huge fines to anyone caught. For us this is not an option. We must force the Government to help us. Millions of people are employed because of the Racing pigeon, we give hundreds and thousands of pounds to charities every year. Because we are nice people, who care.
We are not the bad people that the bird protection people, try to say we are.
We have to make every fancier protest and join the campaign, so they will listen.
This is the only option for us.
We are like every other pet owner in the world, we love our birds, the same way every dog lover loves their dog, or every falcon keeper loves their hawks and we want to protect them. But we must use the law to do this.
So the only way is by protest.
SIMILAR SITUATION IN SPAIN.
I BREED PIGEONS 25 YEARS AGO AND I ALWAYS HAVE SUFFERED GOSHAWK ATTACKS. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. I LOOSE 25 BIRDS BY YEAR AROUND THE LOFT MAINLY LATEBREDS. I LIVE IN A PLACE WITH HIGH DENSITY OF PREDATORS. NEAR MY LOFT I COUNTED 4 PAIRS OF GOSHAWK WICH HUNT DAILY.
AFTER HAVING A HUGE EXPERIENCE STUDYING BIRDS OF PREY I CAN CONCLUDE SOME RULES WICH ARE NOT 100% EFFECTIVE BUT MAY HELP YOURS ACORDING GOSHAWK. FALCONS ARE MORE DIFFICULT.
1. WHEN TRAINIG PIGEONS BY CAR, NEVER RELEASE WHOLE FLOCK. AT BEGINNIG OF TRAINING TOSSES I RELEASE IN SMALL GROUPS OF 3-5 PIGEONS. IT IS BETTER TO SPEND 1/2 HOUR THAT LOOSE A GOOD BIRD. IN SUSCH WAY YOU AVOID MASSIVE LOSSES DUE TO TERROR, MAINLY IN YOUNGS. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS I DO THIS AND IT WORKS. IN CASE A FALCON KILL A BIRD, OTHERS DONT FEEL TERROR AND FIND WAY HOME.I ONLY RELEASE WHOLE FLOCK WHEN PIGEONS HAVE EXPERIENCE OR WHEN WHOLE CLUB IS GOING TO RELEASE TOGETHER.
2. THERE ARE FAMILIES OF PIGEONS WHICH SUFFER PREDATION MORE THAN OTHERS.THESE PIGEONS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUR PLACE AND YOU MUST REMOVE IT. EXTREME LONG DISTANCE BIRDS SUFFER MORE THAN MIDDLE DISTANCE BIRDS. YOU MUST LOOK VERY VITAL AND INTELLIGENT PIGEONS.
3. PIGEONS WITH TENDENCY TO GET WEIGTH ARE EASILY CAUGTH. LOOK STRONG PIGEONS BUT NOT HEAVY BIRDS.
4. TRY RELEASE YOUR YOUNG BIRDS EVERY DAY. IDEA IS THEY MUST LEARN NATURE LAWS. I ONLY CLOSE MY RACING BIRDS AFTER RACING SEASON,IN MOULT AND IN A VERY BAD WEATHER. I ALWAYS TRAIN YOUNGS BEFORE WIDOWER, SO I DONT EXPOSE THEM SO MUCH.
5. YOUNGS MUST TRAIN DAILY AROUND LOFT. THEY HAVE TO BE FIT. IF YOU SUFFER A DAILY ATTACK AND PIGEONS FEEL TERROR, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. MAY BE PIGEONS ARE ILL, WITH WORMS, EXTRA WEIGTH......
WHEN PIGEONS FEEL WELL, STRONG IN THE RIGTH WEIGTH, THEY "TRY TO PLAY" WITH PREDATORS AND THEN ATTACK WILL DECREASE.PIGEONS HAVE TO TAKE CONFIDENCE IN THEMSELVES.
6.ROMOVE PIGEONS WHICH FEEL AFRAID OR LAND EASILY. IT IS VERY RARE A GOOD RACER FEEL AFRAID. IF IT HAPPENS MAY BE HE DOES NOT FEEL WELL. CHECK IT.
7. OLD RACING BIRDS DONT NEED TO BE RELEASED EVERYDAY IN REST SEASON. THEY ALREADY HAVE PROVED THEY CAN SURVIVE AND RACE WELL.TRY THEY LOOSE WEIGTH BEFORE TRAINING SEASON IS GOING TO BEGIN JUST AFTER WINTER.
8. I USSUALY USE SOME PIROTECNIC COHETES. THEY ARE REALLY EFECTIVE. THEY PRODUCE GREAT NOISE AND GOSHAWK FEELS A REAL TERROR HAVING EXPLOITED NEAR IT.AFTER USING TWICE THEY LEARN LESSON AND PREDATE OVER OTHER KIND OF BIRDS.
9. IF PIGEONS GO FAR AND HIGH WHEN GOSHAWK ATTACKS, THEN THEY ARE IN GOOD FORM. OTHERWISE SOMETHING IS WRONG.
10. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU ARE IN THE LOFT WHILE PIGEONS ARE TRAINING, PREDATORS LEARN IN CASE YOU ARE THERE SOME COHETE CAN EXPLOIT NEAR THEM.
11. SOME PEOPLE USE A PLASTIC OWL BUT IN MY CASE IT DID NOT WORK.
Its easy, do as I do, everything and anything possible to protect my birds. You are fighting a losing battle with the authorities. I stand out in my garden when my birds are out with a shot gun over my arm, I have a tumbler who earns his corn sitting in my Larson trap, and Crow kill works brilliantly. Last year I got ? sparrowhawks and ? peregrine, I had 3 pigeons injured but not one loss. Lads forget the authorities buy a good air rifle and when the bird is sitting on your best pigeon eating his fill, put a pellet through his head. Simples !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some good advice there Gutifa, my birds are similar to what you describe, even in the cages, a hawk never passes unnoticed. When they are out, they fly fly hard and fly high and in tight formation, I see the hawk many times come from below and try to split them up, he never succeeds.
The hawk now has become very clever and now strikes very low and very fast, when the birds come down to the loft. They are not even afraid of humans.
Tony you do talk.
You talk nonsense and it';s people like yourself that give fanciers a bad name.
I have worked alongside gamekeepers and estate managers, someone like yourself would probably be conversant with the term but stroke. A swift movement with the blunt end of 12 bore.
I do not condone how you are speaking and this sort of fancier is the top of my agenda, when I speak with the RPRA.
I am going to recommend that any fancier, preaching this sort of action, should be expelled from the union indefinitely for bringing the fancy into disrepute.
It's people like yourself who do the sport a great injustice. If this was typical of the true British fancier, then I am afraid I would dis associate myself from the fancy completely.
Your philosophy is not welcome in the sport I love and care about.
Some interesting and helpful observations, Gutifa. Thank you for taking the time to list them.
Yes Gutifa is right, well done for good advise, it all helps !
Do gooder, don't make me laugh.
Which Raptor Group do you belong to?
Gazb, learn to read English properly and you spell Butt with two T's. I suppose you will report me to PIPA for telling the truth, and they will Block me from their site, hard luck its time the British got a back bone again and stood up for themselves and their country, and started to tell it how it really is !!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally I bet every pigeon fancier agrees with me but are just too afraid to be honest !
The King is in the altogether, tell the truth !
No mate we live in democracy, I don't believe in censorship, everybody has the right to an opinion, our opinions differ and that's all there is to it.
Gazb, you can be the political front and i will be the underground movement, lets fight it from all angles !
LOL
Here in Las Vegas ,Nevada we have the same problem
great to see something like this getting the recognition it deserves gary, just need the petition linked here now
The hawks is a big problem and in Bulgaria.After 4 years experience with hawks,I find the most effective way.When I see a hawk, shoot against him with a gas gun with missile / comet / the prise is about 18 euro per gun and 0.28 euro per 1 commet. This reduced my losses by 60%!! After 5-6 shot at the hawk, he has already learned that when attacking these pigeons shooting at him and almost did not come, and I soon dropped the case when I open the pigeons, the hawk run without shooting at him.
Thanks for your comments fanciers, it's really appreciated.
I am just trying to form a picture Tony, I have worked for many years in the rural countryside, where I worked as a hedge layer for many years, I have a great love of nature and the great outdoors. I have also done work for the RSPB, Woodland Trust, Nature Reserves, Natural England. As well as supplying images and articles.
I have been involved in pigeons all my life.
Also in the past I have had columns in the British Homing World and The Pigeon Sport, were I addressed topical issues to help fanciers maintain good health in their pigeons.
Also I have been an active conservationist for many years.
I am not against any sort of hunting and try to see all arguments from all sides.
I have many friends involved the Falconry sport and in the shooting sport.
All my arguments are based on fact and are unbiased.
I do believe however that many facts about birds of prey in the UK have become distorted by the RSPB to create a picture of the Persecuted Species as this not only generates millions of pounds every year in donations from the raptor worshipping Bitish public, it also feeds the lust of Raptor Groups, that have appeared all over the UK. Who I think would only be fair to accuse these fanatics of having double standards.
They seem to think that Raptors or Birds Of Prey, are the greatest of all birds and everything beneath them is of no significance and they only exists to provide food for these god like birds.
I see and read about the demise of the British Garden Bird populations and small mammals, it is becoming clearly evident that the large populations of prey birds are a direct result for their ever decreasing numbers.
Thankfully not all of the UK population can be accused of such narrow mindedness and do have great affinity for the common garden birds.
There was also not so long ago a debate about the European Eagle Owl that was appearing in various parts of the UK, which they was wanting to be culled.
So I do there believe that there is much to be debated by all the parties involved to try to restore harmony for all involved.
gaz i fully appreciate what you are doing in trying to make the authorities sit up and take notice of whats going on but when have the powers that be ever listened to the working man the back bone of every society,yes you are trying to do it the democratic way which in the real world would be great but we live in a non caring world created by governments and giant corporates who want to destroy every thing good in this world solely because of greed.peregrin nests are also protected by cameras in the uk because the rspcb are hell bent on keeping the many millions of pounds rolling in each year from members of the public who are blinded by propaganda.why cant people open their eyes and see for them selves whats really happening instead of believing lies.i remember when i got up in the mornings hearing the songs of the different wild birds but not anymore its a crying shame that our children will never hear these things unless some one hears our voice.gaz i respect your view but i at the moment will protect my beloved birds in any way that i possibly can and if that means breaking the law then so be it,do i need to finish with this great sport before anyone listens.i would also like to thank pipa for high lighting the big problem we have.gaz your one of a kind mate but until some one sits up and takes notice i must protect my birds.i wish you all the best from a pigeon fancier who loves his birds.yours in sport ronnie johnson
Cheers for your comments Ronnie and of course, I can see all sides of the argument. I can also appreciate the predicament you boys are in and can understand it fully. The way I see it mate, we have to face this head on and lock horns with the authorities, I am doing much to prepare ourselves with as much information as I possibly can for the battle ahead.
Very soon as this action begins to take pace, the RSPB with their extremely clever well experienced PR company. Will start their campaign of dirty tricks. This is already in full flow with the shooting and gamekeeping fraternity. They have already showed their hand and have already started with the fancier, raiding homes of fanciers and splashing it all over the papers.
We are up against an extremely clever opponent, who know how to exploit the media and show any opposition in a bad light.
This is done by using the money, that the general public have donated, for the protection of BIRDS. Not protection of Hawks.
Whenever a campaign has been started in the past, they have rubbished any applications as inconclusive.
The demise of the British Garden Bird.
They have laid blame at the door of Cat owners, the motor car, the use of insecticides, loss of hedgerows, disease, the change of farming practices, climate changes,corvid populations,never once have they held their hands up and accepted that they have single handedly contributed to their demise, by their over protected, over populated birds of prey.
I am with all the resources available to me, going to expose this great deception that has had us all hoodwinked for years, I know the pigeon has a mixed reaction from the general public and this is their prerogative. But I would urge them all to see the big picture and support some of the songbird petition that are in place.
This debate needs to take place openly and overseen by an impartial body, that cannot be manipulated by the RSPB.
For this reason, I am asking every fancier in the UK to take part in this action. By recording every attack on their pigeons, whether they are injured or not. If they are injured, then to take photographs and email them to me.
These attacks will form a big picture of the problem, that is conclusive without out a shadow of a doubt, that it was indeed caused by a Protected Bird Of Prey.
This sort of action, can only add weight to our protests and cannot give any the authorities anywhere to defer the blame.
But fancier support in UK is detrimental to success of this campaign.
If we fail, which could quite easily happen, then no organisation, Government or Law Agency can say that we never tried to highlight this problem in a 'Politically Correct' fashion.
When these channels have all been exhausted and fanciers and everybody else involved with protecting their interests against the Bird Of Prey attacks, do start to take the law into their own hands and history does begin to repeat itself, which it undoubtedly will if something is not done. Then their demise will be contributed to the arrogance and selfishness of organisations like the RSPB.
Please support our campaign, to have our side of the story listened to.
Kind Regards Gary Burgess. concerned pigeon fancier.
A good debate indeed !
Of course our common thread is that we all love our pigeons. And just as a Shepard tends to and protects his flock, we also tend to and desire to protect our beloved pigeons from harm.
Who among us would not protect our own children from the harm of a predator. If anyone dared to harm our children in our sight...of course there would be no stopping our rage. We would fight to the death for our own loved ones..would we not ? (the answer is YES)
I feel we have the God-Given right to protect our loved ones, our homes, our property, and all that is contained within. Of course that would include my beloved pigeons. If a predator enters that realm to destroy that which I love do I not have the right to defend and protect? (the answer is again YES)...so some society or group will dictate that to me ? My God help us if we allow that nonsense !
Perfectly put Midnight Blue, its about time this political correct bullshit is brought to an end. Stand up for genuine rights ! Even if the law said we could only protect our pigeons on our property, that would be fair ! Unfortunately that wont ever happen ! Remember we are only poor working class pigeon fanciers, who are we, "NOBODY"
wouldnt it be good if all fanciers world wide started a fund for the fight against the rspcb,find some one who is willing to become the treasurer,ie pipa,and in the mean time whilst this is happening we can get all the proof we needed before we hired the correct proffessionals to put our case before a court of law.i for one would donate to this worthy cause.your in sport ronnie johnson
Bonjour,voilà nous sommes dans le même cas dernièrement 3 voyageurs de pris et hier une mésange été sur un arbre pret de la maison occupé de manger une boule de mésange et c'est faite attraper pendant son petit repas
I can't deny that we would fight to the death for our children.
I'm no politician, but I have observed the process and to be honest, if we have a mob mentality, then no organisation in it's right mind would come anywhere near us.
One thing I can say is that the RSPB is making a lot of powerful enemies, who have one goal in mind.
Mark Avery has already showed the lengths he will go to, with his recent actions, I think maybe totalling 15 arrests and 10 convictions.
He sadly has the law on his side.
We don't.
What good are you to your birds behind bars.
Mark Avery is a very clever opponent, who should not be underestimated. The Raptor Worshippers already think he's a god.
When anybody speaks out about birds of prey they get branded as Raptor Haters.
Very clever PR and that's what we lack.
You can shout and scream as loud as you can, nobody will listen.
Take the law into your own, there will always be one do gooder that will report you.
You really need to listen to the voice of reason guys.
Myself along with hundreds of other fanciers are working flat out, day in, day out.
We are making progress, it may be slow progress,but never the less it's progress.
Don't think for one moment, I'm some kind of wimp or a keyboard warrior, oh no.
Don't I have never stood up for country either, I've done my bit.
If fanciers make the right noise, they will be heard.
In six months time, things will become evident that action is being taken on our behalf.
But we do need to show some solidarity.
hi Tony
Thanks by links
Any UK fancier who talks about 'persecuting' predators on a public forum is a fool and is playing right into the raptor protector's hands! No fancier should condone this and 99.99% of fanciers do not. The battle against the ignorance of the RSPB and their supporters is a long and laborious one but we should never give up. Gazb is going about it in the right way!
Where raptor populations are at natural levels this is just something we have to get used to and Gutifa has some good advice! Where raptor populations are artificially high due to overprotection and overabundance of prey (e.g. racing pigeons!)then some form of culling or relocation scheme ought to be considered! At the end of the day how much of the British countryside is truly 'natural'?!
All fanciers invest money, time and emotion in their birds and pigeons should be considered in the same way as pets or livestock - the british government is trailling the culling of badgers due to bovine TB - I see no difference with sparrowhawks / peregrines and racing pigeons! If family dogs or cats were being taken by preadators the general public would be up in arms - I see no difference with sparrowhawks / peregrines and racing pigeons! Hunting with dogs was banned due to 'cruelty' - I would suggest a wiley fox has more chance of escaping a pack of hounds than an exhausted racing pigeon who has just courageously flown their heart out for 300+ miles has against a peregrine falcon!!!
I cannot help but laugh a little when I hear a statement such as "99.99%" of the fanciers would do this or do that ! I suppose oh wise one you have conducted a survey or a poll to come to such an astounding and overwhelming conclusion such as this.
However I do agree with many of the statements that Gazb makes. And yes we must form a united front. However it is my right to say and feel that I have a right to protect my pigeons from predators of any type be it Raptors or other types.
The 'Raptor Protectors" pretend that they care for the life and well being of their hawks or falcons. They disguise their intentions as the ones who care and protect. But where is the caring and protective attitude for God's other creatures such as song birds and pigeons ? Their intentions are hypocritical by their very nature.
Are we so afraid to speak our mind, are we so afraid that a "raptor protector" might hear us and get upset? Do you think for one moment they care how we feel when we see one of our treasured champions eaten alive in our own back yard. (the answer is no) Do you think I care if they don't like my statements against them..the answer again is NO !
Again well said "Midnight", Alex you are a typical political correct fool, so what if they hear me, so what if they don't like it. I served in the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment in Northern Ireland, to some being there was wrong, and to some it was right, it now turns out that the wrong people by law ( terrorist ) are now the top political leaders, remember one persons freedom fighter is another's terrorist. Stand up for what you believe in and don't be afraid otherwise we will get no where.I am not preaching ruthless killing of all raptors, just the right to protect my belongings on my property ! You have all been playing correctly for how many years, where are you lads ? no where, more hawks, more falcons, more lost fanciers ! God men Wake Up !
Good Morning Midnight Blue. You must understand that in the UK these raptor species are protected by law and the vast majority of the British public do not understand the principles of predator / prey relations, countryside management or livestock management. Therefore if pigeon fanciers are going to get anywhere we must not endorse any unlawful acts. All the general public see is the 'horrific pigeon fanciers persecuting the beautiful birds of prey'! As I said it is a long laborious - and yes frustrating - battle, but to take short cuts is the soft way out. I stand by my 99.99%!
Tonytalk - you talk in military terms. Why do you think there are hearts and minds offensives when in many cases it would be far easier just to go in all guns blazing?! The RSPB is the Taliban. The more civilians you kill the stronger they get! and you never know who is Taliban in disguise!
Alex , don't tell me about the Taliban, i'm sure you have some made up facts and figures on them, when my beautiful 21 year old daughter is out there fighting them as you sit in your arm chair .Get up you coward and be counted ! Good on Gary, at least he is trying to do it his way, he's doing something to stop the predation on our pigeons, and so am I, its just I don't have the time to wait for ever ! You sit there telling me how we should and should not do it but you are probable doing nothing yourself, apart from preaching on here as Midnight Blue say's, fact and figures that you have no grounding to prove. My proof is a club of fanciers that do everything and anything to protect their property from the continuous slaughter of their pigeons ! If we start telling the RSPB that we are going to kill their hawks if they attack our birds they might think about ways to help us, rather than ignore us ! Again I ask you Mr law abiding citizen, would you let the hawk out of your loft if you caught it killing your pigeons ?
Fanciers, this is what Mark Thomas RSPB, who is Mr Avery's successor wants to hear, the fanciers who got raided by Mark Thomas RSPB with the police in various parts of the country, his evidence was based on probable cause. Because they cannot just enter a premises without a warrant.
Before a warrant can be issued, they have to show that they have enough evidence to prove that an offence has been committed or is likely to be committed. When you write such things on an open forum or web page, this is written for all to read.
Once this has been printed off, it can be then submitted as admissible evidence.
Admission of guilt, they will then do their best to find you.
Once they find you, they will then search your premises to find evidence that substantiates, what you have written. If they find, traps, air rifle, poisons, even your computer will be taken to scour your hard drive, for these admissions.
If they do find items, then you will be prosecuted.
Your property will be seized under the prevention of cruelty to birds.
Tracking someone on the internet, can be done as we leave footprints everywhere.
Don't you think that our opponent want to see this sort of thing that divides the fancy, we all want action now, but I'm afraid the process is a lengthy one.
I too hate this political correctness bullshit. But I'm sorry this is the only way we can go.
If you spent the time and effort studying the opposition, you will see where I am coming from.
The only way forward is to play them at their own game.
The Raptor Worshippers have already formed a site on facebook and are publishing photographs of people who have been involved in harming Rators.
So come on guys at least agree to disagree as we are all in the same boat here and facing a common enemy. This battle has been going on for twenty years now, but now the situation has become severely worse.
Lets all work as a collective, and shout with one voice.
Don't give the RSPB fuel for their fire which is already burning bright.
We must think like our opponent.
Well said!
Ok Gary, I will leave it up to you, I'll sit back and protect my birds and say no more. I look forward to good news in the future ! Good luck Mate
Thanks guys.
I am just the same as every one of your out there, I'm just an ordinary guy who has a great love of his pigeons. Like many others,I have felt that we have been ignored too long by too many.
I do however possess certain skills, one of those is knowing how to use the media.
Due to my health, I find that I have a lot more time on my hands, than I have ever had in my life.
So I have decided to put that time to good use.
The public need to aware of how we fanciers feel about our pigeons.
They also need them to see the pain and anguish, that we feel when we find our pigeons, brutally attacked and savaged by raptors.
Maybe then, they may understand why we are so angry.
This is a war, but the terms of engagement have changed.
This war has to fought by all sides as a collective.
We need much publicity, but the right publicity.
We also need to show the public, how the Racing Pigeon and the Pigeon Fancier are steeped in history. How this sport has been the backbone of the working classes over the centuries.
So lets think like the opponent here, they are well organised, they are well funded, they are well supported.
We need to show them, we are well supported and committed and then maybe, we will get the support from other people.
We need to show the public who the fanciers really are.
We give willingly to support charities and good causes every year.
Why do we do this?
Because we are big hearted people who care.
If we see a good cause that needs supporting, we pull out all the stops and ensure that it gets our full support. We donate pigeons to sell to raise these funds for these worthwhile causes.
We also can if needed, also raise funds to support our cause.
We don't have to rely on grants or badger the public for financial support, we are self sufficient.
Maybe our action can also be an inspiration, to other fanciers all over the world, who also experience what we are now experiencing.
Thank you for your support fanciers.
Tony Talk States..."Stand up for genuine rights" "If the law said we could only protct our pigeons on our property, that would be fair"
Gentlemen...this is the the bottom line on this entire subject matter. We are not asking for any special favors or legislature. We are asking only for a basic human right ...to protect that which is ours. I wonder how many know that the real estate we own actually includes the air space above us and the earth beneath us. That's correct..that also comes under our entitlements as land and property owner.
I'm proud to race and breed homing pigeons. It is a sport of champions, and is a very challenging undertaking to say the least. Most try and fail, we are a unique group, and should be proud to stand together in this fight against the ignorant prejudice directed towards us.
Let's not appease the "bully" but rather let him know in no uncertain terms that he cannot intimidate us. This is as Tony Talk states so clearly...this is "fair"
I know where you are coming from Midnight Blue and I can truly sympathise with Tony Talks anger and frustration.
Here in the UK since 1957, these birds have been under the protection of the law, considering it was only supposed to be initially for five years, It's amazing how it still in force some fifty five years later.
I think that the public have been hoodwinked, fifty five years of protection under protection of the law of the land and are still under populated.
How stupid do they think we really are.
The fact of the matter, is the BOP Story has been the biggest money spinner the RSPB have ever seen.
Money is the root of all evil.
Greed, deceit.
Is it not fair to say, that it is in their best interest to employ the best PR Company in the country to protect their millions of pounds income every year, to spin the public the best yarn that money can buy.
Is it not fair to say, that they too have the press in their pocket. Because under normal circumstances the press would be all over something like this like a plague.
But they have no interest in this story whatsoever and only ever print what is released by the RSPB.
They try to tarnish the the image of the fancy by publishing a story in the press about how police forces across the country swoop to target pigeon fanciers for alleged crimes on protected birds of prey.
Would it not be fair, to say that the RSPB'S Mark Thomas, Reported to the police conversations on an internet forum, that made certain references to Illegal control of birds of prey.
So it wasn't an actual swoop across the country by police forces.
It was four allegations made, that the law had in fact been broken by four individuals, who confessed to this on an internet forum.
This too does not give a true picture of the fancy, four out of over 100,000.
The bully is powerful indeed.
Thank's Midnight!
Hello Gary,
Did my advice give you any profit? by doing the same as I did?
John Heijnen.
Dear sport friends,
Put a formatted eagle owl (gray / brown owl species) on a stick in the garden.
Actual size is between 40 and 60 cm maintain!!
For me the problem with the raptors last 2 years solved.
Good luck.
For questions john.heijnen @ ziggo.nl
With sports regards,
John Heijnen, Geleen, The Netherlands
Ive not tried it yet mate, but it's going to be given a try.
Many Thanks John
I'm a Maltese fancier. Can I sign the petition please?
Tell nobody nothing ! Take the law into your own hands and stay quiet ! High powered slug guns work well ! Protected or not SHOOT and stay quiet !
Hello Gary,
You also can contact Herr Willi Linsen in Germany he got some pictures from me about the discribed solutions.
John Heijnen, Geleen, Netherlands.
Thanks John.
السلام عليكم بي
Spanish farmers get compensation for protected wolves taking livestock.What do pigeon fanciers get for the loss of their birds to raptors.
According to the RSPB PIGEON FANCIERS HAVE NO RIGHTS TO PROTEST AND ARE APPARENTLY THOUGHT OF AS INSIGNIFICANT.MAKES ME FEEL RATHER SECOND CLASS.
Beste,
Ik heb gelezen op een website dat het geluid van een oehoe deze roofvogels afschrikt.
Je kan het geluid downloaden via deze link: http://www.pitts.be/index.asp?par=f_news.detail&ID=225
Laat dit verschillende keren afspelen per dag en ook op verschillende tijdstippen.