by johnnymarin | Nov 14, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
We will always have such wonderful memories of Harry McCawley’s stories — funny, sad, thoughtful, something for everyone to remember.
Hopefully down the road, the newspaper can put together a book of his stories, something we could cherish, and pass down to our children and grandchildren. The post office pigeon problem articles of many years ago would still have everyone laughing out loud.
We all remember his articles about the Washington Street Goose, always dressed for the occasion, and many of us would enjoy the outfits as we drove by.
Harry wrote that the family was moving to Ft. Dodge, Iowa. My sister Sharon and her family lived in Ft. Dodge at the time. So on our next vacation to visit them, Sharon and I went looking for the goose. Sure enough, we found it, still dressed in a cute outfit, and getting many looks as people drove by. The family was not home, so I took a picture, and gave it to Harry when we got back.
He had quite a laugh over that, and was glad people were still enjoying the fashionable display
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 | Nov 12, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
THE story of a carrier pigeon which delivered a vital message during the First World War despite being mortally wounded by a German sniper has come to light after almost a century.
Papers unearthed during a house clearance reveal the final moments of the bird, later named ‘the VC Pigeon’.
The bird was stuffed and donated to the Royal Signals Museum in Blandford after the war, where it has since been on display in a glass case.
Captain James Lloyd, a propagandist for little-known British intelligence service Mi7b during the war, wrote an account of the pigeon’s final moments.
According to the captain’s report, the bird had been given an important message to take nine miles back to Divisional Headquarters from the frontline at the Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917.
The flight should have taken no more than 25 minutes. However, the carrier, identified then as ‘Pigeon 2709’, took 21 hours to complete the mission.
Upon its arrival at the HQ pigeon loft, staff realised the bird had been shot during its flight.
The creature stayed alive long enough to deliver the message before succumbing to his wounds.
In 2015, Cpt Lloyd’s great nephew Jeremy Arter discovered the hand-written account, along with 150 classified documents, in an old trunk at his home in Wales.
The report of the pigeon reads: “Pigeon No 2709. IX Corps. Died of wounds received in action 4th October 1917.
“In the action which was fought in the region of the Menin Road, this bird was despatched with a message from the frontline to Divisional Headquarters at 1.30pm.
“This bird was hit by a bullet which broke one of its legs.
“In spite of wounds and being out in the wet all night the bird struggled home to its loft.
“When the man came to see what it had brought, they found the pigeon lying on the floor of the loft bleeding to death, with its legs shot away and the message holder embedded in its body.
“It died shortly afterwards.
“That bird’s courage and devotion earned for it the name of ‘the VC Pigeon’.
Adam Forty, of the Royal Signals Museum, said: “Almost 100 years later documents from the secretive propaganda branch of Mi7b came to light after being discovered in a Welsh attic by Jeremy Arter.
“These papers had thought to have been destroyed but Mr Arter’s great uncle, Captain James Lloyd, had kept copies of many poignant documents.
“Among these papers was the story of ‘Britain’s winged soldiers’.
“In this particular story Pigeon 2709 is mentioned having earned the respect and admiration of the loftsmen at the frontline who gave him the honorary title ‘VC Pigeon’.
“We have been aware of the bravery of this pigeon for many years but have relied on anecdotal evidence.
“Now we have solid documental evidence.”
He added: “The VC Pigeon is proudly on display at the Royal Signals Museum.
“The schoolchildren love him.”
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 | Nov 10, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
A “serious pigeon infestation” at Dorking Halls is going to be tackled as part of a £270,000 refurbishment that will also see windows that no longer open replaced.
Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) will vote on whether to approve funding for the work, which includes repainting and rendering the outside of the building and roof repairs, at a meeting on October 10.
A report to the council from Keith Garrow, general manager of Dorking Halls, states that the walls are falling apart and windows are at risk of falling on people.
Speaking to Get Surrey , he said: “The building has been here since the 1930s and any building of this size that has been here that long is going to need general maintenance from time to time to keep its value.
“Obviously most of the work here is to the outside of the building and that is very important in keeping everything watertight.”
The report says £115,000 is required for the repainting and rendering work on the outside of the building to prevent damage from damp.
The building is quite literally falling apart too, with the report stating: “Chunks of render have already fallen off the rear of the building, leaving the wall unprotected and presenting a potential health and safety issue.”
A further £28,000 is needed to replace 1950s windows that are “warped, don’t open and are at risk of falling into the great hall”.
Another £23,000 is needed to “ensure all areas of the building remain watertight”.
In the report it is also stated that Dorking Halls is suffering from a “serious pigeon infestation” and that £20,000 worth of work is required for cleaning and the installation of pigeon nets.
Councillor for Dorking South Margaret Cooksey said the maintenance of Dorking Halls is of great importance to the town.
She said: “It is important that this work, which is badly needed, is carried out in a timely fashion as it is important we don’t let it deteriorate to a point when we are not able to afford the work.
“Dorking Halls is a very important part of the town. Not just to those who live in Dorking but also because it brings people in from outside of the town to visit a concert or a show.”
Mr Garrow said Dorking Halls now attracts about 200,000 people a year compared with 160,000 a year in 2013.
He said the result is that there is more revenue coming in so the money should be available to carry out the work.
He added: “We are having more cinema and event screenings now as well as more events. We are also seeing a lot more hire events now and the business is getting particularly busy on that side.”
The money from the repairs would either be borrowed or taken from the reserve that MVDC retains for asset upkeep. This reserve currently stands at £5.75m.
The decision on whether to approve the work will be made at the full council meeting on October 10.
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 | Nov 7, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
Pigeon fanciers have taken aim at two roosting birds of prey at a Taunton landmark who have been given a leg-up on the housing ladder thanks to public funds.
Taunton Deane Borough Council put £3,500 towards the £7,000 cost of setting up a nest box for peregrine falcons that have set up home at St Mary Magdalene Church tower and a webcam so people can keep a close eye on them.
But that hasn’t gone down well with the pigeon racing community, who believe the birds are a threat to not only their beloved pigeons, but also songbirds and wildlife in the area.
The predators can swoop down on their prey at speeds of up to 180mph and keeping the other birds in the area at bay.
While that may seem like good news to some, Mick Templeman, a pigeon fancier from Taunton, says he’s concerned about the new nesting box.
“The fact that there is now a nest box at the church is a huge blow for both myself and other fanciers in the area and it’s only a matter of time before our pigeons become victims,” he said.
“Peregrine Falcons perform savage and harrowing attacks on smaller birds such as racing pigeons which is causing devastation amongst my community.
“If our birds are lucky enough to survive an attack, they become extremely disorientated and if they are injured it makes it impossible to train them. It’s truly heart-breaking to watch.
“I have an extremely close bond with my birds and the sport is one that I hold close to my heart.”The falcons have previously been described as “natural pest control” for the church, with feathers from their prey frequently in evidence over the vicarage lawn.
But Mr Templeman says there would be outcry if other pets were being targeted by the falcons.
“This problem shouldn’t be controversial, if our pigeons were respected as highly as other pets such as dogs or cats then there would be no issue for pigeon fanciers,” he said.
“I can’t understand why people cannot see the sublimity of these birds, especially as they played such a huge role in the success of our country in both World Wars.”
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 | Nov 6, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
100 years ago – October 4, 1917
For better fire protection
“Healdsburg is badly in need of modern fire-fighting apparatus,” said Chief Harold Rosenberg in speaking to the Board of City Trustees Monday night. “It is poor policy to wait until the town burns down before we realize the need for modern equipment. The town is well able to purchase an up-to-date engine, and we ought to give this matter our attention before we suffer the same experience that came to Ukiah recently. “The efficiency of the department has decreased in recent months as it is. A number of the members have enlisted and others have left town. I don’t like to carry the responsibility of the head of the department with conditions as they now are.” The members of the Board of Trustees talked the matter over briefly, and considered that the first need toward improving the fire protection of the town was to replace some of the old and small pipes on various streets to pipes of larger capacity.
50 years ago – October 5,1967
Ponder Plaza pigeons
What do Healdsburg’s Plaza and San Francisco’s Union Square have in common? Pigeons. Councilman Art Schieffer at Monday’s council meeting reported that the pigeon propagation has become so great that, “we have quite a problem in town,’’ and quoted several irate citizens who expressed their disgust in strong language, especially one who hailed down the councilman while wielding a shovel alongside his place of business. The council didn’t come up with an answer, pointing out that if San Francisco hasn’t been able to solve its pigeon problem over many decades, Healdsburg couldn’t expect to solve it in one week. Inasmuch as one suggestion involved “shooting ’em down,’’ Mayor Badger referred the matter to the police committee for lack of a better one. Which caused Tribune writer Dean Dunnicliff to challenge the referral in its entirety. He commented that if the police committee was going to study the matter it would be right for a police committee to be responsible only for the stool pigeons. Which resulted in Councilman Schieffer firing back, “Yes, in more ways than one.”
25 years ago – October 7, 1992
Council makes DRC’s demise official
The appointed arbiters of architectural taste in Healdsburg have been ousted. It’s official: The city’s Design Review Commission, which has been praised and damned for its work in the past, is no more. Over the protests of the city Planning Commission and amid warnings that it would do just the opposite of its intention, the City Council approved a resolution Monday night eliminating the DRC, expanding the Planning Commission to seven members, and distribute the DRC’s duties among the planning staff. The DRC was charged with reviewing plans for projects, and judging their merit based on design, compatibility with surrounding uses and development that is in keeping with the character and scale of the city.
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 | Nov 5, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
AMANZIMTOTI Racing Pigeon Club reports on race 33 and 34.
Four members flew a total of 38 birds from Marblehall on Saturday, 23 September.
First to third Doug Fry, fourth Basil Tait, fifth Doug Fry, sixth to seventh, eighth Doug Fry, ninth Basil Tait, 10th to 12th Rossouw Lofts.
Seven members flew a total of 128 birds from Kimberly on Saturday, 23 September.
First Rossouw Lofts, second to third Doug Fry, fourth Basil Tait, fifth Rossouw Lofts, sixth Basil Tait, seventh to eighth Rossouw Lofts, ninth to 10th Basil Tait.
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)
