Mystery of “worst day in pigeon racing history” sees 5,000 birds disappear into the air

Pigeon enthusiasts are trying to figure out how around 5,000 birds disappeared in a “Bermuda Triangle” in one race in what is called one of the sport’s worst days.

A race from Peterborough to the northeast saw 9,000 pigeons taking part in what should normally be a three hour competition, but more than half have yet to arrive.

Weather conditions are the only explanation advanced so far.

Pigeon fancier Richard Sayers told The Sun: “We have had one of the worst racing days in our history.

“Most of the ranchers I talk to blame the weather conditions – maybe a solar storm above the clouds that created static electricity in the atmosphere – but no one really knows that.”

Pigeon breeders attribute the disappearance of pigeons to atmospheric conditions
(Image: Getty Images)

Carrier pigeons use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate, but they can be confused in a geomagnetic storm.

Breeders have seen their clubs lose hundreds of pigeons with identification rings. They ask anyone who sees one of the carrier pigeons to give them food and drink with the probability that they will eventually continue on their way.

Richard Sayers (center photo with his family) said it was one of the worst days in pigeon racing history

Ian Evans of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association reportedly said: “We realized quite quickly that something very unusual was going on.

“I’ve never heard of anything like this.

“At first glance, the weather situation the conditions were good. But in this case, thousands of birds simply did not return.

“Something happened that interfered with their navigation abilities. We believe it may have something to do with solar wind activity.”

He added that there have been similar reports of problems in other European countries and that the racing association has visited the Office met to find out if solar activity could have caused a geomagnetic storm.

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Thousands of birds disappear during the race

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon racing

About 5,000 pigeon disappeared in what has been called “one of the worst racing days of all time.”

flock of seagulls flying in the sky: Thousands of carrier pigeons are released from the Kilton Forest Show Ground in Worksop, Nottinghamshire (file image) - OLI SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images

© OLI SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of carrier pigeons are released from the Kilton Forest Show Ground in Worksop, Nottinghamshire (file image)

– OLI SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images

About 9,000 birds have departed from Peterborough en route northeast on Saturday, in what would normally have been a three-hour race – but more than half have yet to arrive.

“We have had one of the worst racing days in our history,” said pigeon fancier Richard Sayers. The sun.

“Most of the ranchers I talk to blame the weather conditions – maybe a solar storm above the clouds that created static electricity in the atmosphere – but no one really knows that.”

Carrier pigeons use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate, but their sense of direction can be distorted by a geomagnetic storm.

The breeders have seen hundreds of pigeons not returning to their clubs. They asked whoever sees the pigeons, who have identification rings, to give them food, water and rest, before allowing them to continue on their way.

The daredevil pigeon is hitchhiking on an airplane engine!

Click to enlarge

Ian Evans of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association told the newspaper: “We realized quite quickly that something very unusual was going on.

“I’ve never heard of anything like this.

“At first glance, the weather conditions were good. But in this case, thousands of birds simply did not return.

“Something happened that interfered with their navigation abilities. We believe it may have something to do with solar wind activity.”

He said there had been similar reports of heavy casualties in Portugal and Belgium.

The running association is in talks with the Met Office to see if unusual solar activity could have caused a geomagnetic storm.

“We obviously hope that the majority of these birds will find their way home over time,” said Evans.

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Cubans turn to pigeon breeding to escape Covid-19 | Life

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon breeding

Pigeon fancier Yonisbel Santana poses for a photo on his rooftop in Havana on May 18, 2021. – Photo Reuters

HAVANA, May 27 – From a building facing Havana’s iconic Malecon waterfront, pigeon keepers emerge from a window, intently watching the gray birds take flight.

Remaining mostly indoors due to the country’s worst Covid-19 outbreak since the coronavirus pandemic began in March last year, Cubans are increasingly raising pigeons as a form of escape.

“You can’t leave the house,” said Pedro Marrero, president of the Seductive Pigeon Promotion Club, a group of people who love birds and raise them as a hobby.

“We are locked inside. Everything is restricted and we have only one place to escape, which is the roof. We go up on the roof, we have our animals and we have a good time there, ”he said.

Marrero, 53, says it relaxes him from catching and training pigeons on his Havana rooftop, where he can disconnect from the stress of the pandemic and enjoy the graceful flight of his birds.

The new Animal Welfare Act states that there are no limits to the breeding of birds “as long as the hygiene, health and welfare requirements required by the species. are respected ”, according to the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture.

Pigeons are also sold in the market and used in Santeria ceremonies. Priests of the ritualistic Afro-Cuban religion say that pigeons are in great demand among their customers.

Despite health and safety restrictions, Cuba has seen an increase in Covid-19 cases as the government opened its borders. So far in May, 29,006 people have reportedly been infected with Covid-19 with a daily average of 1,160 hospital admissions and 258 deaths, up from 229 deaths in April, according to official figures.

On the rooftops, pigeon breeders are delighted to watch the animals compete in the air to capture their prey.

“Watching your pigeon compete with other pigeons in the neighborhood, so that it can bring the prey to your home… is the greatest experience a loft can have,” said Leonisbel Santana, 35.

Still others simply have an affinity with cooing birds.

“I feel love for them,” said Yosbany de La Rosa, also 35. – Reuters

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Cubans turn to pigeon breeding to escape COVID-19

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon breeding

HAVANA, May 27 (Reuters) – From a building facing Havana’s iconic Malecon waterfront, pigeon keepers emerge from a window, intently watching the gray birds take flight.

Remaining mostly indoors due to the country’s worst COVID-19 outbreak since the coronavirus pandemic began in March last year, Cubans are increasingly raising pigeons as a form of escape.

“You can’t leave the house,” said Pedro Marrero, president of the Seductive Pigeon Promotion Club, a group of people who love birds and raise them as a hobby.

“We are locked inside. Everything is restricted and we have only one place to escape, which is the roof. We go up to the roof, we have our animals and we have a good time there,” a- he declared.

Marrero, 53, says it relaxes him from catching and training pigeons on his Havana rooftop, where he can disconnect from the stress of the pandemic and enjoy the graceful flight of his birds.

Fancier Yonisbel Santana poses for a photo on his rooftop in Havana, Cuba on May 18, 2021. REUTERS / Alexandre Meneghini

The new Animal Welfare Act states that there are no limits to the breeding of birds “as long as the hygiene, health and welfare requirements required by the species. are respected “, according to the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture.

Pigeons are also sold in the market and used in Santeria ceremonies. Priests of the ritualistic Afro-Cuban religion say that pigeons are in great demand among their customers.

Despite health and safety restrictions, Cuba has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases as the government opened its borders. So far in May, 29,006 people have reportedly been infected with COVID-19 with a daily average of 1,160 hospital admissions and 258 deaths, up from 229 deaths in April, according to official figures.

On the rooftops, pigeon breeders are delighted to watch the animals compete in the air to capture their prey.

“Watching your pigeon compete with other pigeons in the neighborhood, so that it can bring the prey to your home… is the greatest experience a loft can have,” said Leonisbel Santana, 35.

Still others simply have an affinity with cooing birds.

“I feel love for them,” said Yosbany de La Rosa, also 35.

Reporting by Rodrigo Gutierrez; Editing by Diane Craft and Karishma Singh

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Cubans love breeding pigeons to cope with pandemic

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon breeding

From a building facing Havana’s iconic Malecon waterfront, pigeon keepers emerge from a window, intently watching the gray birds take flight.

Remaining mostly indoors due to the country’s worst COVID-19 outbreak since the coronavirus pandemic began in March last year, Cubans are increasingly raising pigeons as a form of escape.

“You can’t leave the house,” said Pedro Marrero, president of the Seductive Pigeon Promotion Club, a group of people who love birds and raise them as a hobby.

“We are locked inside. Everything is restricted and we have only one place to escape, which is the roof. We go up on the roof, we have our animals and we have a good time there, ”he said.

Marrero, 53, says it relaxes him from catching and training pigeons on his Havana rooftop, where he can disconnect from the stress of the pandemic and enjoy the graceful flight of his birds.

Pigeons fly over pigeon fanciers in Havana, Cuba on May 18, 2021.

Pigeons are seen next to their loft on a balcony in Havana, Cuba on May 25, 2021.

Fanciers Yonisbel Santana (left) and Yosbany De La Rosa watch some of their pigeons fly over their rooftops in Havana, Cuba on May 18, 2021.

Pigeons are also sold in the market and used in Santeria ceremonies. Priests of the ritualistic Afro-Cuban religion say that pigeons are in great demand among their customers.

On the rooftops, pigeon breeders are delighted to watch the animals compete in the air to capture their prey.

“Watching your pigeon compete with other pigeons in the neighborhood, so that it can bring the prey to your home… is the greatest experience a loft can have,” said Leonisbel Santana, 35.

Pigeon fancier Freddy Moreno holds a pigeon at his home in Havana, Cuba on May 25, 2021.

Pigeon fancier Freddy Moreno looks after pigeons with a friend on his balcony in Havana, Cuba on May 25, 2021.

Still others simply have an affinity with cooing birds.

“I feel love for them,” said Yosbany de La Rosa, also 35.

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Birds of a feather gather for auction at Bakersfield Pigeon Racing Club

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon racing

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – For the rest of us, they can be nuisances – plagues on our streets, parks and public statues. But for a Bakersfield club, these are assets. At least the well-behaved.

We are talking about pigeons – those who run long distances.

And they were on display on Sunday – literally on display.

It was then that the members of the Bakersfield Pigeon Racing Club came together for a big event – the auction of a large and prized racing pigeon stable.

Longtime member Ted Little had died and bequeathed his birds to the club – dozens of birds worth hundreds of dollars each. The club sold the birds at auction on Sunday, with the proceeds going towards pavilion renovations and other expenses.

“It always amazes me how much people have passions and they come together,” said Kern County Museum Director Mike McCoy, Little’s son-in-law. “Whether it’s people who collect a certain type of automobile, women who collect macaroons, and it’s guys who race pigeons, they find each other. They find the community. For me, this is a wonderful thing.

Members of the club have ages ranging from teens to Floyd Jackson, whose wife recently asked her doctor if the 97-year-old Jackson’s body was up to the excitement and stress of monitoring his. pigeons on races of up to 500 miles.

“My doctor said to me, ‘What is he doing, sitting all day?’ Jackson said. “She said, ‘No, he has pigeons and he does gardening.’ He said, “Tell him to keep doing it.”

The auctions were lively at times, but you couldn’t tell from the behavior of the birds. They were mostly placid – perhaps they were saving themselves for the next race.

They’re racing against the clock, not so much against each other, in case you visualize a flock of birds pounding furiously neck and neck throughout the stretch. That’s not to say that there is no element of drama or danger – hawks are a frequent threat to the welfare of a carrier pigeon.

Pigeon owners are willing to take this risk – thousands of dollars in prize money are often at stake. The pigeons themselves work for birdseed and have no say in it.

There is a lot of money in thoroughbred racing. Pigeon race? Not that expensive. But not cheap either.

Sound exciting to you? Members of the Bakersfield Racing Pigeon Club can tell you more. Meet – their Norris Road clubhouse is 100 yards east of Knotty Pine Cafe.

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Winchester: tribute to Prince Philip of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon racing

WINCHESTER Cathedral was chosen for another tribute to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

On the day of SAR’s funeral today (Saturday), members of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) will release 10 pigeons from cathedral towns across the UK, including Winchester.

The birds will represent each decade of the Duke’s life and will be simultaneously released across the UK.

Ian Evans, RPRA CEO, said: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing and we want to commemorate his life and show our support for the Royal Family. The RPRA and the Royal Family both share a rich history as the family has had a close affinity with the sport for over 100 years so we wanted to celebrate that by releasing pigeons across the UK.

“By accompanying the Queen to the Sandringham Estate the Duke has always shown an interest in royal pigeons and we think it would be a fitting tribute.”

The royal family began to breed pigeons at the end of the 19th century and the tradition has been continued by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Royal Lofts are well established in Sandringham under the supervision of a Loft Manager. What was once known as the National Homing Union, the association received royal patronage and became the Royal National Homing Union, which is now known as the Royal Pigeon Racing Association.

Queen Elizabeth is the patron saint of RPRA and regularly visited the lofts with the Duke during his visit to Sandringham.

The pigeons of the Royal Loft played a vital role during WWI and WWII as they were used as carrier pigeons. After the war, the pigeons returned to racing, winning national and international titles for the queen.

To honor this history and the continued support of the Royal Family, the RPRA decided to release pigeons across the UK in memory of the Duke.

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Peta doubles Ramaphosa trophy hunt, claims pigeon breeding

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon breeding

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) held on by claiming that President Cyril Ramaphosa was secretly profiting from trophy hunting.

Peta said on Friday that he discovered Ramaphosa was secretly enjoying trophy hunting through the Tsala Hunting Safaris company.

Peta also accused Ramaphosa of unethical breeding and wildlife management activities related to pigeon racing.

The presidency denied the allegations, saying neither he nor Phala Phala Wildlife had any involvement in the trophy hunting industry or Tsala Hunting Safaris.

Peta, a US nonprofit animal rights organization, said Monday: “Ramaphosa’s instructions to give Tsala Hunting Safaris’ notice to end the hunting deal with them” because of the allegations according to which Tsala is engaged in hunting of protected or threatened species [such as white rhinos] is a tacit confirmation of one of Peta’s statements.

READ ALSO: Ramaphosa Denies Claims He Secretly Profits From Trophy Hunting

“We hope this is only the first step Ramaphosa takes in getting rid of all trophy hunting operations,” they added.

Ramaphosa and Phala Phala Wildlife said on Friday, “Peta US has already made false claims regarding the President’s interest in breeding carrier pigeons.

“President Ramaphosa has been a pigeon breeder since the age of 16 and owned a flock of pigeons as a young man living in Soweto in the 1960s and 1970s.”

The Presidency added, “The President spoke with breeders in Soweto and the Western Cape on the development of the industry, as well as the increased participation of young black candidates in pigeon racing.

“Pigeon racing has been practiced since the 1800s and is a popular sport around the world.

“That Peta US continues to use its platforms to disseminate false information regarding Phala Phala Wildlife and President Ramaphosa is very unfortunate.

Peta is the world’s largest animal rights organization, with over 6.5 million members and supporters.

For more news your way, download The Citizen app to ios and Android.

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Peta doubles Ramaphosa trophy hunt, claims pigeon breeding

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon breeding

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) held on by claiming that President Cyril Ramaphosa was secretly profiting from trophy hunting.

Peta said on Friday that he found out Ramaphosa was secretly enjoying trophy hunting through the Tsala Hunting Safaris company.

Peta also accused Ramaphosa of unethical breeding and wildlife management activities related to pigeon racing.

The presidency denied the allegations, saying neither he nor Phala Phala Wildlife had any involvement in the trophy hunting industry or Tsala Hunting Safaris.

READ ALSO: Ramaphosa Denies Claims He Secretly Profits From Trophy Hunting

“We hope this is only the first step Ramaphosa takes to divest itself of all trophy hunting operations,” they added.

Ramaphosa and Phala Phala Wildlife said on Friday, “Peta US has already made false claims regarding the President’s interest in breeding carrier pigeons.

“President Ramaphosa has been a pigeon breeder since the age of 16 and owned a flock of pigeons as a young man living in Soweto in the 1960s and 1970s.”

The Presidency added, “The President spoke with breeders in Soweto and the Western Cape on the development of the industry, as well as the increased participation of black youth in pigeon racing.

“Pigeon racing has been practiced since the 1800s and is a sport with a substantial worldwide audience.

“That Peta US continues to use its platforms to disseminate false information regarding Phala Phala Wildlife and President Ramaphosa is very unfortunate.

Peta is the world’s largest animal rights organization, with over 6.5 million members and supporters.

For more news your way, download The Citizen app to ios and Android.

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Ladner resident wants to see pigeon racing banned in Delta

by Joseph V. Rondeau • Pigeon racing

Masako Evans wants pigeon racing to be banned in Delta.

Ladner’s resident and licensed veterinary technician has started an online petition at changer.org which is approaching 1,000 signatures to date.

“This is something that has been going on here for quite some time. Last year in particular saw an increase in the number of pigeons found by the community, ”explained Evans. “In the past, there were usually one, two, three pigeons that got lost. The last race around 80 pigeons escaped because a group of Hawks bombed the start because they realized where they released them. It is an easy selection for them.

Trained pigeons are usually ringed and have a special chip for timing. At a measured distance, they are released from a field and return home. This is unless prey interferes with the race.

“I just don’t think Delta is a suitable place to release them,” Evans continued. “We’re right on the Fraser estuary. There are tons of rivers and different things that come together. It’s a big spawning ground for salmon and then there’s the dumping ground and tons of fields too. It is a huge breeding ground for raptors and a wintering site for the different races that migrate. It’s a pretty dangerous place.

“I feel bad for pigeons because they are totally domesticated and depend on humans. It doesn’t look good for the pigeon racing community and the community we live in when we’re constantly picking up these pigeons. People are jumping around to pick up their pigeons too. All of these different things that are happening are not very good. I am in animal sport. I have horses and dogs. I show and do things. I believe in animal sport, but I believe in doing it properly.

Evans said the lost pigeons also resulted in extra work for the Delta Animal Shelter. The birds were collected and returned to the facility where owners are contacted unless they are not tagged.

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