[Bodger]

Only 324.4 miles left to go! Its that time of the year again, when lost racing pigeons start to come into the pigeon loft with my Birmingham Rollers. The first two have come in this morning and they were absolutely exhausted. They are now tucking into a hearty breakfast.
There's a little blue hen who should be in Cumbria and then, there's a blue cock from Stranraer.
The first one had the owners telephone stamped on its wing and he's asked me to feed it up before I release it. I'm in Llandudno on Saturday, so I'll chuck it up there and I've left a message on the answer phone to the owner of the cock. That poor little beggar is still 324 miles away from home and because its an experienced 09 born bird, I wouldn't be at all suprised if that one is actually collected by courier.
They're brave little souls, so I think that they're owed the best chance that I can give them.

[Bionic]

Awww, that is so sweet.  Lets hope it makes it home after the feed up 

[doganjo]

And if it's late I hope it doesn't - slow racers are knocked on the head aren't they?  Not as if you can re-home them 

[Fleecewife]

We were once visited by an exhausted racing pigeon - he flew in through our open living room window and  perched on the top of the dresser, just out of range.  After a few days we managed to get hold of him and find the 'phone number on his wing.  His owner turned up in a huge Mercedes and Pooey Dooey went home in style, on the back seat in his cage 
 
He was not destined for a knock on the head; he had been released somewhere near Newcastle and was travelling back to Glasgow, so nearly home.  Apparently the whole lot were thought to have been attacked by Peregrines and Pooey Dooey was the only one to have turned up at that point.   I wondered for a while if he would come and see us again but he didn't.

[Roxy]

I am forever picking tired racing pigeons up from the field where the hens are. Must see the galvanised roof of the barn and think that will do for a stop.  Have to get them quick before the cats!!  Was really upset when I kept one a few days, took it away and released it, and it came back to the barn and the cat got it
 
Most owners are grateful that someone has found their beloved bird and is caring for it.  Quite often get couriers coming for them, and they they get shirty when I refuse to leave the box outside if I am away at work - the cats!!! One was on its way to Scotland, and another from way down South of England.  On both occasions I rang the owners as promised when I released the bird, so they could watch for its return home.  I  was amazed at how soon I got the phone call to thank me, saying the bird had arrived.
 
I always go to the highest point on our hill, throw the bird up, and watch as it circles to get its bearings.  Once I see it head either North or South I am happy its on its way.

[Bodger]

On Saturday, I'll be umpiring a cricket match about 60 miles up the coast, so I'll let them both go there, at least they will have rested and been fed and be that much further to home.

[sokel]

We have one here tonight, its sitting on top of the goat shed and keeps trying to fly in 

[HesterF]

A whole world I know nothing about (except I've just remembered finding one as a child and my parents had to work out how to track down its owner). Sounds fascinating though. I'm sure the owners are very grateful to you all for caring for their birds.

H

[Roxy]

Nights like tonight - high wind and torrential rain - are not good for pigeons, and likely to blow them off course.

[Pedwardine]

Didn't know there was a time of year for it. Found a knackered one yesterday. Gave it some wheat and corn and a drinkie and it went off again. Hope it makes it. A neighbour told me they get their neck wrung if they aren't back in a timely fashion. I do hope not 

[Bodger]

Yup. The pigeon racing season starts around about now. The two racing chaps that I've spoken to reckon that due to bad weather conditions during and enroute, have lead to loads of pigeons being blown off course.

[Roxy]

Pedwardine, some of those pigeons are worth alot of money, and certainly will not have their necks wrung    The owners are happy to pay the courier to get them back home.
 
One man I rang about a pigeon I found, had 4 missing in bad weather.He was distraught, as they were young birds in their first race.  One in particular was worth a lot and very special.  He asked me for its ring number and he started to thank me over and over, as this was the special one,  Needless to say, the courier was rung, and the bird transported home to Scotland

[Bodger]

I normally get around ten lost pigeons a year come into my loft. I keep Birmingham Roller pigeons and the lost and exhausted birds follow them in. A few of them are picked up by courier but with most, the pigeon men are only too grateful if I keep them and feed them for a week or so before I set them back on their way. It costs quite a lot to have them picked up.