by Ryan Ponto | Mar 23, 2017 | Bird Netting
A two-year-old checker male pigeon travelled 1,005.62 km in 25.59 hours from Maharashtra to Salem and bagged the first place in the State-level annual competition held here.
Organised by the Chennai-based Goodwill Pigeon Racing Society (GPRS) that conducts pigeon racing for up to 1,000 km annually, as many as 65 pigeons, including 21 pigeons from Salem, participated in the competition. Pigeons were released at 6.20 a.m. on March 20 at Warada in Nagpur and the pigeon belonging to Pradeep Agilan of Hasthampatti in the city reached home at 8.30 a.m. on March 22. “It covered the distance in less than 26 hours which is a new State record,” said Mr. Agilan. The pigeon that came second in the State could reach only by 11 a.m., he added.
The pigeon has to brave weather and wind patterns and reach the breeder’s home. The pigeon is tagged with an outer ring around its legs that have details of the society, year of birth, breeders name etc. An inner ring, which is not known to the breeder, will also be fixed to the pigeon. When the bird reaches the destination, the breeder has to convey the details in the inner ring to the members of GPRS over phone upon which the duration is calculated and the winning pigeon is announced. Mr. Agilan said that regular training and healthy feeding helped the Belgium-breed to win the competition. He also said that no research could so far establish how the pigeon reaches the breeder’s home even if it is let off 1,000 km away. “Maybe the bonding between the two is stronger,” he added.
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 Ryan Ponto | Mar 22, 2017 | Bird Netting
Yarrawonga has celebrated coach Bridget Cassar’s 250th club game with a thumping 67-20 win over Myrtleford.
Wodonga Raiders’ Brooke Pryse tries her best to stop Albury’s Claire Wilson. The Tigers’ attacking spearhead grabbed 29 goals in the 49-32 win.
“I didn’t know anything about it until I was told on Thursday night,” Cassar said.
“None of us knew anything about it.”
Raiders’ Courtney Hillier.
The premiership coach was presented with a token of the club’s appreciation for her years of service.
Raiders’ Georgette Meunier passes the ball in her team’s 17-goal loss to Albury. Meunier was one of the visitors’ best.
“It definitely played a role in the lead-up to the game and we were happy to play well for ‘Bridg’,” captain Annalise Grinter said.
Cassar will play her 200th A grade game later this year.
In a battle of last year’s top and bottom outfits, the Pigeons had the match wrapped up at quarter-time, bolting to a 12-goal lead.
Cassar was outstanding, posting 36 goals, almost doubling the Saints’ output.
Abbey Jones chipped in with 16, while former Goulburn Valley star Gemma O’Sullivan impressed with 15 goals.
Jayanna Sharp was one of three debutants for the Pigeons.
Elsewhere, Albury started its campaign to return to finals with a 17-goal win over Wodonga Raiders.
The Tigers built on their lead in each quarter, racking up a 49-32 win.
Claire Wilson posted 29 goals and Jess Fisher-Curnow 20.
Wilson was terrific for the home team, while Brigetta Hart also played well.
Courtney Hiller and Georgette Meunier were the visitors’ best.
Albury finished second-last in 2016, while Raiders were seventh.
North Albury has toppled Corowa-Rutherglen by 10 goals, 56-46.
Last year’s Rising Star nominee Grace Senior equalled Cassar’s output, grabbing the highest individual score of round one with 36 goals.
Hoppers’ star recruit, and indeed one of the best signings of the summer, Emily Browne was the best player on the court, while Kirby Hilton played a strong supporting role.
Wangaratta Rovers has toppled Wodonga by 13 goals.
Wodonga has undergone a transformation in recent years, losing star players Rebecca Cameron and Liona Edwards.
The club finished sixth last year and Rovers fifth after the home and away season.
And Lavington has started in style with an eight-goal win over Wangaratta.
The Panthers racked up a 43-35 victory.
Alison Meani top-scored with 17, while former Toni Wilson medallist Sarah Senini (14) and Skye Hiller (12) also made double figures.
Amanda Umanski equalled Meani’s effort of 17.
Wangaratta will now meet Wangaratta Rovers.
The Pies finished third after the regular season, working their way into a league force after years of trying.
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 Ryan Ponto | Mar 21, 2017 | Bird Netting
A Scottish man has been filmed apparently punching a pigeon after his pals ‘tried to get him to kiss’ the bird .
The Snapchat video – shared on multiple Facebook pages – has been viewed thousands of times and attracted criticism for promoting ‘animal abuse’.
The shirtless man is seen lying down in the clip as his pals try to push a pigeon into his face in apparent attempt to get him to kiss it.
Amid much laughter and music playing, the man clenches his fist and threatens to punch the bird.
One says: “I bet you don’t crack it”.
Suddenly, the man is filmed striking the bird.
The pigeon reacts in shock and the room erupts.
The clip was shared on Glaswegian.
Some claimed it was animal cruelty while others said the boys were just having a laugh.
Mike Kelly wrote: “Horrible b******.”
Meanwhile, Peter Collins said on the Glasgow Gospel page: “Animal cruelty isn’t funny.”
However, Derek Santini posted: “All the pigeon lovers getting very angry on 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 Ryan Ponto | Mar 20, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
PESKY pigeons are being given a run for their money after council bosses brought in a hawk to scare them away – and stop them dumping their unpleasant payloads on people’s heads.
The harris hawk and its handler have been seen several times on the roof of the county council’s social services offices in Clacton.
The airborne attacker sends seagulls and pigeons screeching into the air as the hawk is released from the roof of the Magnet House building in Jackson Road.
An Essex Council spokesman said: “Due to the continued roosting of pigeons and seagulls on top of Magnet House, our partners Mitie are currently trialling the use of a hawk as a deterrent, to prevent the build-up of bird droppings at the building’s entrances.
“This method is highly effective and environmentally friendly, as the hawk’s presence should quickly make an area undesirable for pest species, and in doing so help to keep Magnet House clean and safe in future.”
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 Ryan Ponto | Mar 19, 2017 | Pigeon Spikes
Fifteen years ago, the center of London was densely populated — not just with people, but also with birds. Particularly pigeons.
Huge flocks of them would fill the capital’s parks and squares. But something has changed. The pigeons are gone. One reason for the pigeon decline can be seen in Trafalgar Square at 7 a.m. every weekday.
Not far from Big Ben, the square is the very center of the city. Even early in the day it bustles with commuters, tourists and school parties. But among all that activity there is a hunter on the loose. A silent killer. One who watches over every movement — from the National Gallery on the north side to Charing Cross Station on the south. Up close to him, you notice powerful shoulders, a penetrating gaze — and also a tendency to twist his head around to the back looking for prey.
That hunter’s name is Lemmy, and he is a Harris’s hawk.
Lemmy is employed by the Greater London Authority to ensure that places like Trafalgar Square remain free of pigeons, and therefore free of their waste. He works in a team: his handler, Paul Picknell, is employed by Hawkforce, one of London’s leading avian security firms.
Speaking to Picknell, there is no mistaking his love for his work buddy. “He’s a work colleague, he’s a friend. [But he is] essentially a wild animal. Never tame. In amongst all these people — he’ll totally ignore everybody apart from me,” he says. “It’s almost a telepathetic communication.”
Until the early 2000s, pigeons ruled Trafalgar Square and other open spaces in the center of London. You could buy food to feed them. Even Mary Poppins had a song advising Londoners to feed the birds.
Things changed in 2003, when the mayor of London declared war on the birds. So many pigeons produced a lot of … waste. And that’s not hygienic.
The pigeon feed stall was closed. If Mary Poppins tried to feed the birds now, she would be hit with a fine. But a humane and natural way to move the pigeons on was needed. And that’s where Picknell and Lemmy come in.
As Picknell is talking, Lemmy suddenly gags and vomits up a small oily lump of yellowish paste onto the sidewalk. Picknell is relieved. “Oh. That’s what we’re waiting for,” he says. “That’s the cast. It’s basically beaks, the feathers, the claws of the food he had yesterday that he can’t digest.”
He picks it up and rubs it carefully between his fingers for a diagnosis. It crumbles under his thumbnail. “That one’s quite normal looking. Nothing wrong with this bird. He’s ready to go now.”
Although Harris’s hawks do hunt birds like pigeons, the idea is not for Lemmy to kill while on duty. He is fed exclusively from a small plastic box of raw chicken scraps. Picknell takes a large handful and fills his pocket with these snacks at the start of every shift.
Instead, the idea is to use Lemmy’s presence to deter and intimidate pigeons. “It’s a visual thing. It’s a presence,” says Picknell. “The pigeons are aware there’s a bird of prey — there’s predator around, therefore they stay away.”
There’s an air of “The Sopranos” when Picknell describes the effect Lemmy’s presence has on pigeons. “I suppose he does intimidate them,” he says. “The big kid’s around. Keep yourself to yourself. Stay out the way.”
Unlike other forms of pest control, such as poisoning or shooting, the use of hawks is environmentally friendly and ultimately humane. It is also popular: Picknell and Limmy are constantly pestered for selfies. Some hawks like the attention more than others, Picknell says. Lemmy is not too keen on having his feathers ruffled.
There was some backlash at first — a renegade pro-pigeon activist group is still rumored to carry out vigilante bread distributions somewhere nearby — but the square today is much cleaner. And almost completely free of pigeons.
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)
