by johnnymarin | Aug 23, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
The life, adventures, and professional transitions of Mohamed (Christian name “Mike”) Agha could fill a book that would entertain readers while educating with history lessons.
“I like to say I’m a jack of all trades and a master of some,” said a smiling Agha, who believes keeping a sense of humor is key to life. “I immerse myself in anything I do that’s interesting.”
During his seven decades, the Lebanese-born Ramona resident has operated several different kinds of businesses, been a horse owner/trainer, bounced back from a brain injury suffered in a car accident, and as a teenager was instrumental in starting a championship volleyball team in his home country. He is multilingual, an accomplished cook, and raises pigeons.
“The way Mohamed grew up is so fascinating to me,” said his partner, Candace Regel. The two own The Blinds Spot and Regal Floors in Ramona.
Agha grew up in Tripoli, Lebanon, with three brothers and three sisters.
“My dad was an open-minded person,” he said. “It was a Muslim home but never strict. My dad sent us to the best school in Tripoli, Lebanon, ’cause it was a Christian school, because he wanted us to be aware of everything.” About 40 percent of the population in Lebanon is Christian, he noted.
Mike Agha sits on his Arabian horse, Candy, ready to ride in a parade. (Courtesy photo)
Agha attended a French Catholic school and said most of his friends were Christians and everyone got along. He can speak French, English, Spanish, and Arabic.
“The French education — they taught us all about Western civilization from the Greeks all the way to today.”
Agha’s neighborhood did not have running water.
“We had all the old traditions of keeping food and saving for the winter,” he said.
Their home changed thanks to Agha’s father who only had a third-grade education but taught himself accounting. He became an accountant for one of the richest families in Tripoli and their household was the first in the neighborhood to have running water, a radio, refrigerator, television, telephone, and car.
Agha took his first trip to the United States in 1969.
What brought him here?
“All the movies that I saw,” he responded, laughing. “I didn’t miss a show.” Listing such actors as Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Rock Hudson, and Doris Day, Agha said, “I was a movie buff. And that kind of made learning English a lot easier for me.”
Over the next 25 years he traveled back and forth. His last time in Lebanon was in 1994, a year after he became a U.S. citizen.
In 1983, he managed a woman’s apparel store in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Women would come in wearing their hijabs and buy up the apparel that Agha’s brother sent from Los Angeles.
It was strange, Agha said. “They couldn’t drive, they couldn’t do this, this, and that. They had to have an escort, however, once they are in the shop, they can do whatever they want.
“One time I had two princesses come in with their entourage. Young princesses, like 16, 17.” They picked out clothing and had Agha deliver it to the back door of their palace. He found out they were the granddaughters of the then future King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
Agha’s past includes operating an Italian restaurant on Miramar Road and a Middle Eastern restaurant called Caravan in Escondido.
He and his brothers opened Carpet Country on Miramar Road in 1984 and later moved it to Poway. In 2011, he and Regel opened The Blinds Spot. They met while he was an owner/horse trainer at San Luis Rey Downs in Bonsall.
They own Arabian horses and also have a menagerie of birds: a rescue Amazon parrot, a rooster and hens, and Egyptian and Pakistani pigeons. Raising pigeons is a Middle Eastern tradition, Agha noted.
“It stems from really old times from when Arabs used them for messenger pigeons,” he explained. Aghastarted with five pairs, not realizing how quickly they reproduce. In two years he had 150 pigeons. His flock that he lets out every day has since dwindled to 40, and he and Regel are entertained by watching their habits.
“The males always, always show off,” he said.
Agha finds life good in Ramona. With the mountains, ocean, and desert close by, it reminds him of his homeland.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Aug 21, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
Police have launched an investigation after the death of a peregrine falcon in a quarry at Ashburton. Officers believe the young bird had been poisoned, and issued a warning that the poison could also be deadly to humans.
There are also suspicions that rogue members of the pigeon racing fraternity could be to blame for the poisoning. A £1,000 reward has been put up in an effort to find the poisoners,
PC Josh Marshall, who is Devon and Cornwall Police’s Wildlife Crime Officer, posted an emotional Tweet after the falcon was discovered.
He wrote: “Look into the eyes of a juvenile Devon peregrine falcon moments before its death.”
Police were contacted by staff at Glendinning Quarry in Ashburton, on Tuesday following reports of an injured peregrine falcon on the floor of the quarry which is home to a breeding pair of the birds.
PC Marshall made sure the bird received immediate care, but it died the following day.
He said: “The initial inspection and condition of the bird strongly suggests that this bird had been poisoned. The bird has now been placed into the Wildlife Investigation scheme administered by Natural England where it will be forensically examined to establish the cause of death and a police investigation has now begun into the incident.
“Members of the public are warned that poisons commonly used to commit a crime like this are incredibly toxic to humans and pets. Should any person locate any dead or injured birds they are strongly advised not to touch them or let pets come into contact with them.
“Ingestion of these poisons can lead to death. It is incredibly concerning that individuals are using these types of chemicals within public areas that not only kill our wildlife but could also place members of the public, children and their animals into harm’s way.”
The area around Ashburton and Buckfastleigh is a hot spot for the poisoning of these birds of prey.
In 1992 two peregrines were found dead at White Cleaves, Buckfastleigh, having eaten a poisoned pigeon.
In 2000 a peregrine was poisoned at the Ashburton quarry.
In 2000 a sparrowhawk was shot near Buckfastleigh but survived.
In 2003 two men with a pigeon on a length of string were spotted trying to lure peregrines at Buckfastleigh.
In 2005 a live racing pigeon with clipped wings was coated in poison and used as bait. Peregrine chicks were rescued but adults were missing, presumed dead.
In 2005 a dead peregrine was found on a dead pigeon which had been baited with poison and had its wings clipped.
In 2011 a peregrine was poisoned at a Buckfastleigh quarry.
PC Marshall added: “As can been seen from this data, the use of illegal banned poisons are evident and put the public at significant risk. In the 2005 incident, a number of children could have been harmed or potentially worse when the poisoned bait (a racing pigeon) was located wandering around near to a childminder’s address.
“Significantly racing pigeons have been used as the bait for a number incidents both here and nationally and the answer to solving and preventing these poisonings could lie somewhere within a rogue minority of the racing pigeon community.
“Peregrine falcons do not differentiate between prey items such as wild pigeons and racing pigeons, and this obviously causes conflict with some prize racing pigeons being taken by these birds of prey.
“Generally the method used will be to smear the bait with a Vaseline type substance containing the poison on to either a live or dead bird. When the peregrine plucks and eats the bait item the poison is then ingested and kills the bird. The bird then endures an excruciating few hours whilst waiting to die.
“South West Peregrines, a volunteer group who monitor these birds and others within the South West, have described the incident as ‘abhorrent’.
“We are urging members of the local community to come forward with any information they may have that can assist in bringing these offenders to justice.”
Information is handled in the strictest of confidence and can be passed directly to PC Marshall at Joshua.marshall2@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk or by email 101@dc.police.uk or calling 101 quoting log number 0223 180817.
Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers via 0800 555111 or the charity’s website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Tony Whitehead, speaking for RSPB in the South West said: “Peregrines are magnificent and much-loved birds, whose comeback over the past twenty years is a conservation success. However, once again, it appears the peregrines at this site have been deliberately targeted and, it is suspected, poisoned.
“Should this prove to be the case, this is outrageous and the criminals must be brought to justice. We are also concerned that, should this again prove to be a poisoning, someone is wantonly placing toxic chemicals in the countryside which can be a danger to both humans and pets.
“Someone in the local community must have information about who’s doing this and we urge people to come forward and contact the police. A £1,000 reward has been offered by the RSPB for information that directly leads to the prosecution of the offender.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Aug 19, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
Birds have an impressive ability to navigate. They can fly long distances, to places that they may never have visited before, sometimes returning home after months away.
Though there has been a lot of research in this area, scientists are still trying to understand exactly how they manage to find their intended destinations.
Much of the research has focused on homing pigeons, which are famous for their ability to return to their lofts after long distance displacements. Evidence suggests that pigeons use a combination of olfactory cues to locate their position, and then the sun as a compass to head in the right direction.
We call this “map and compass navigation”, as it mirrors human orienteering strategies: we locate our position on a map, then use a compass to head in the right direction.
But pigeons navigate over relatively short distances, in the region of tens to hundreds of kilometres. Migratory birds, on the other hand, face a much bigger challenge. Every year, billions of small songbirds travel thousands of kilometres between their breeding areas in Europe and winter refuges in Africa.
This journey is one of the most dangerous things the birds will do, and if they cannot pinpoint the right habitat, they will not survive. We know from displacement experiments that these birds can also correct their path from places they have never been to, sometimes from across continents, such as in a study on white crowned sparrows in the US.
Over these vast distances, the cues that pigeons use may not work for migrating birds, and so scientists think they may require a more global mapping mechanism.
Navigation and location
To locate our position, we humans calculate latitude and longitude, that is our positon on the north-south and east-west axes of the earth. Human navigators have been able to calculate latitude from the height of the sun at midday for millennia, but it took us much longer to work out how to calculate longitude.
Eventually it was solved by having a highly accurate clock that could be used to tell the difference between local sunrise time and Greenwich meantime. Initially, scientists thought birds might use a similar mechanism, but so far no evidence suggests that shifting a migratory bird’s body clock effects its navigation ability.
There is another possibility, however, which has been proposed for some time, but never tested – until now.
The earth’s magnetic pole and the geographical north pole (true north) are not in the same place. This means that when using a magnetic compass, there is some angular difference between magnetic and true north, which varies depending on where you are on the earth. In Europe, this difference, known as declination, is consistent on an east west axis, and so can possibly be a clue to longitude.
To find out whether declination is used by migrating birds, we tested the orientation of migratory reed warblers. Migrating birds that are kept in a cage will show increased activity, and they tend to hop in the direction they migrate. We used this technique to measure their orientation after we had changed the declination of the magnetic field by eight degrees.
First, the birds were tested at the Courish spit in Russia, but the changed declination – in combination with unchanged magnetic intensity – indicated a location near Aberdeen in Scotland. All other cues were available and still told them they were in Russia.
If the birds were simply responding to the change in declination – like a magnetic compass would – they would have only shifted eight degrees. But we saw a dramatic reorientation: instead of facing their normal south-west, they turned to face south-east.
This was not consistent with a magnetic compass response, but was consistent with the birds thinking they had been displaced to Scotland, and correcting to return to their normal path. That is to say they were hopping towards the start of their migratory path as if they were near Aberdeen, not in Russia.
This means that it seems that declination is a cue to longitudinal position in these birds.
There are still some questions that need answering, however. We still don’t know for certain how birds detect the magnetic field, for example. And while declination varies consistently in Europe and the US, if you go east, it does not give such a clear picture of where the bird is, with many values potentially indicating more than one location.
There is definitely still more to learn about how birds navigate, but our findings could open up a whole new world of research.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Aug 15, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
ST ANDREW, Jamaica — The 2017 Game Bird Shooting Season will start this Saturday and close September 24, according to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).
NEPA said, during the season, hunting sessions are from sunrise to 9:00 am and 2:30 pm to sunset on Saturdays and from sunrise to 9:00 am on Sundays.
The planning agency, in a newspaper advertisement today, advised that only the following birds may be hunted: Zenaida Dove/Pea Dove, White-winged Dove, White-crowned Pigeon/Bald-pate and Mourning Dove/Long-tailed Pea Dove.
NEPA said the bag limit for each shooting session is 20 birds, of which no more that 15 should be White-crowned Pigeon/Bald-pate. It also said the feathered heads of all Game birds must be retained for inspection.
Bird shooters are being reminded that shooting within Game Reserves/Sanctuaries, Forest Reserves and 50-metre distance away from Game Reserves/Sanctuaries is prohibited.
A copy of the Hunter’s Handbook for Game Birds in Jamaica is available on NEPA’s website.
Meanwhile, NEPA said Hunter’s Licence may be obtained from NEPA and authorised vendors at a fee of $20,000. It also said all hunters should have a valid firearm’s licence or user’s permit and Hunter’s Licence on person.
NEPA warns that each breach under the Wild Life Protection Act will attract a fine up to $100,000 and/or up to twelve months in prison.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Aug 14, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. – A tagged pigeon is on the loose in South Salem and some Good Samaritans are hopeful of reuniting it with its handler.
A South Salem resident reported to Lost Pets of Westchester County on Tuesday morning that a pigeon had flown onto her deck in South Salem and was approachable before eventually flying off to a nearby tree.
The woman reported to the organization that she was able to get a look at the band on its leg, which bore the characters AU 2017 and 5969.
According to the National Pigeon Association, domestic pigeons with individually identifiable leg bands are registered with one of several National Pigeon Organizations. The AU on the band stands for the American Racing Pigeon Union.
Anyone who may be missing their pigeon or has information about the missing bird can contact Lost Pets of Westchester County here.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Aug 13, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
THERE was a flood of maximums when Swan B won 2-1 at George A in a high-quality Section 1 encounter.
No fewer than five players clanged off sixes as the visitors kept up their title challenge with a 27-24, 29-24, 25-29 success.
Gary Bailey (4-6-5) and Simon King (5-6-3) were Swan’s top men, but the hosts had more maximums, through James Morrison (5-4-6), Kevin Stuart (4-4-6) and Luke Purcell (6-2-3).
Leaders Three Pigeons had their wings surprisingly clipped in a 3-0 defeat at home to Red Lion A.
An impressive haul from Eddie Edwards (6-4-5) was in vain for the hosts, while Eddie Lacey (4-5-4) was Lion’s top performer.
Fellow high-fliers Woodman also crashed to a 3-0 loss, at Black Prince.
Rob Bradford (4-5-5) led the way in the 31-26, 23-21, 26-20 romp.
Gladiators A put down a marker with a 3-0 triumph at New Club A in the meeting of the Premier Section’s top two.
Kevin Giles (5-6-5) bagged 16 dolls, backed up by a baker’s dozen from Andy Beal (6-3-4).
Roger Goodall (4-4-6) was top dog for New Club, but it could not prevent the 26-22, 30-27, 35-31 defeat.
Swan A’s hopes of retaining their title are still intact following a 25-22, 26-25, 33-27 whitewash at home to Garsington Sports.
Jon Townsend (4-5-5) was their star.
There are still five teams in the Section 2 title race.
Six Bells E, helped by Andrew Hudson’s first six, lead the pack, but dropped a vital home point to lowly Vikings Sports A.
Bullnose Morris A were fortunate to win 2-1 at Black Horse C.
The hosts looked well-placed chasing in the opening two legs, only to collapse late on to lose 22-21, 17-16, 18-21.
Long-time leaders Chequers C fell to their sixth defeat in seven with a 2-1 reverse at Donnington Club A.
Mark Simpson (5-4-4) led the way for the hosts, who bounced back from losing the first leg 27-18 to take the next two 24-11, 21-19.
Section 3 leaders Chequers A collapsed dramatically to a 3-0 defeat at King & Queen, for whom Simon Jones (3-5-5) starred.
New Club B failed to cash in as they lost 2-1 at Tiddington Cricket Club.
The visitors won the opener 15-12, but Tiddington levelled 12-11 before taking the decider on three sticks after a 16-16 draw.
White House are just in touch after coming away from Six Bells A Kidlington with a 2-1 win, with leg scores of 21-18, 16-21, 20-15.
THE last unbeaten record in the league came to an end when Section 7 leaders Red Lion B Yarnton lost 2-1 at home to Northway Club B.
The visitors took advantage of Lion’s low scores to win the first two legs 13-11, 15-10.
Lion hit back to avoid the whitewash by taking the final leg 15-10.
Mick Walsh (4-4-5) led the way for Masons Arms A as they came from behind to beat George B in Section 4.
Masons lost the first leg 19-17, but recovered well to win the next two 21-17, 25-13.
Rock bottom Democrats A got off to the worse possible start against Swan C, when they could only muster a set of four in the opening leg.
They improved in the next two legs, hitting 11 in both, but it was nowhere near enough as the Swan won all three legs with 16, 14 and 18.
Bullnose Morris B’s slide in Section 5 continued as they lost their second game on the bounce, having won their previous nine.
Masons Arms B were the victors this time, winning the first two legs 18-17, 18-14 before Bullnose grabbed a point in the final leg 12-10.
Chequers B secured their first 3-0 home win of the season after beating Cricketers A.
Steve Jenkins (3-4-5) top-scored.
Florence Park’s ten-week winning streak in Section 6 came to an end when Original Swan A beat them 2-1 on their own patch.
Swan won the first two legs 15-13, 15-14, before Park won the last leg 18-14, which still gives hope of a title charge.
In the Greene King Cup semi-finals, Swan A had a comfortable 2-0 win over Section 2 side Crown, while Gladiators had a hard tougher battle to beat Three Pigeons.
Gladiators set and won the first leg 29-20, with Pigeons levelling in the next leg 28-22.
In the deciding leg Pigeons set with 25, which Gladiators matched.
In the three sticks, Pigeons could hit only nine which Glads passed with three players to spare.
In the last four of the Jim Whitbread Cup, Littlemore British Legion beat Vikings Sports C 2-0, while Donnington C overcame Florence Park 2-0.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
