by johnnymarin | Nov 15, 2017 | Animal Deterrent Products
Visitors to Preston bus station have been warned not to be alarmed if the council’s new pest control officers come swooping down from above. In a bid to tackle persistent problems with pesky pigeons, county hall has turned to a trio of Harris Hawks to keep them in check. The birds of prey; named Oslo, Henry and Holly, will be on shift rotation at the station tasked with scaring off the mass of feathered foes. The move has been prompted by years of the pests making their way into buildings and causing a mess with their droppings. And they made a swoop for new territory when glass panels were replaced along one side of the Grade II listed building earlier this year, part of the multi-million pound redevelopment project. Andrew Barrow, the county council’s project manager for the redevelopment, said: “The hawk has been flying in the concourse to scare off the pigeons. We’ve already carried out one successful session and we’ve got other sessions planned. “We know that it’s an unusual sight if you’re not expecting it. “You might see the hawk flying around, under the watch of its falconer, but it shouldn’t cause any problems for people using the bus station. “The pigeons are a nuisance and we need to get them out of the bus station. “This is a widely-used method of dealing with this sort of issue and is used at other large buildings, airports and famously even at Wimbledon.” The hawks, who will be accompanied by experts from SMJ Falconry, will visit at different times of day so the pigeons do not become accustomed to a regular timetable. The £23m revamp of the station includes a new paved courtyard and public space along with the addition of a city Youth Zone at the north end.
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 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 13, 2017 | Bird Deterrent Products
Gary Jennings will be bringing a good selection of pigeons from all his winning families, including sons and daughters of his best Hereman Cuesters from stock obtained K&K Homer & Williams of North Yorkshire, Wayne Doonan and Border Lofts, to the Winter Fayre. There will also be pigeons from his long distance family of Marijn Van Geels/Cyril Beattie bred pigeons. This line of birds has been responsible for the Jennings’ success from St Malo over the past number of years. There will also be a good choice of Stefaan Lambrechts available on the day from pigeons recently acquired from Ype Hemstra and a few directs from Stefaan. Anybody wanting any specific birds brought to Ballyclare should contact Gary for a welcome chat. At the Fayre take the chance to order your 2018 youngsters. Gary has received good reports this year from a number of fanciers who purchased birds earlier in the year.
TELFORD BROS – DOWNPATRICK Based in Downpatrick, the Telford Bros lofts house nothing but the very best. This comes as no surprise as over the past few seasons Alan has been a fearless purchaser at any of the major sales he has attended purchasing nothing but the best bloodlines possible. All the top winning families, Heremans Ceusters and more, are at stock but one of the main families at stock are the Colin Gibson stock. Alan attended the complete clearance sales of Colin Gibson and purchased nothing but the best, resulting in a number of the top racers and producers making their way to the lofts in Downpatrick. Telford Bros will be attending the Winter Fayre in Ballyclare and will have a top selection of their winning families on show plus taking orders for 2018 youngsters.
TOM CAIRNS WOODEN PRODUCTS Tom is better known to all as the guy that trains your French candidates every weekend. In the racing season (O/B Only) Tom trains most weekends (weather permitting) prior to the top French events and is known by all. Tom builds nest boxes, hampers, feeders, wooden silos and more for the fancy in his workshop. Tom will be attending the Fayre and will have on show a selection of his products
BENZING ETS Benzing will be in attendance at the Fayre. Dorothy Smyth (NI Rep) from Benzing will be in attendance to answer any queries and demonstrate and promote the present “ Benzing ETS “ system
HENRY McLAUGHLIN – PIGEON SUPPLIES Henry will be attending the Fayre and will, as usual, have a top selection of pigeon products on offer. Henry is agent for the Van Tilburg Pigeon Corn and there is a top range of mixes on offer and they will be on show for all to view at the Fayre. Henry is looking for local agents to supply the Van Tilburg range. If interested have a chat with Henry at the Fayre.
H BEATTIE & SON – CORN MERCHANTS H Beattie & Son will be attending the Fayre to promote their full range of top quality pigeon mixes. They are agents for the Versele Laga range of corns and products also. Come along and view the full range of mixes.
ANISAN PIGEON PRODUCTS Anisan will be attending the Fayre. They will be promoting their pigeon products and will have special show offers on the day. Everything to keep the lofts clean and healthy.
AUCTION AT THE FAYRE There will be a small select draft on auction on the day of the Fayre starting at 3pm (approx). More information and full details will be on the Pigeon Craic website www.pigeoncraic.com in the coming days plus full information in next week’s issue. The Northern Ireland Winter Fayre will be held on Saturday, October 14, at the Six Mile Leisure Centre, Ballynure Road, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim, BT39 9YU. Opens 9.30am-4.30pm (approximately).
GLENN BUCKLEY & SON – ANNAGHMORE – INFC NATIONAL CHAMPION 2017 I would like to send my heartiest congratulations to the top racing partnership of Glenn and Johnny Buckley, G Buckley & Son, on their outstanding achievements this season on being crowned INFC National Champions 2017. The Buckley family have won just about every top award that there is to win and this result puts the icing on the cake for one of the nicest racing families that you could meet in the sport of pigeon racing. Well done Glenn and Johnny.
LARNE & DIST PIGEON MOOT Larne and Dist HPS will be holding a night with the world famous Jos Thone on Friday, 13th October starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 each (inc supper). Jos will have 15 youngsters for sale on the night to be auctioned, opening bid £100 each.
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 11, 2017 | Bird Deterrent Products
FEED lots around Echuca are to blame for the pigeon plague which has been affecting local buildings.
In response to The Riv’s article last week, businesses are coming forward with their horror stories and ways they’ve tried to remedy the problem.
Campaspe College, a neighbour to the Uniting Church has been caught in a flap after calls to council fell on deaf ears.
General Manager Karen Hagan said how the weekly clean-up has been exhausting funds and staff members of the college.
“There are normally around 80 to 100 along the top of the pitched roof. Just outside the door from our kitchen there’s always a mess from the birds, it’s a real worry for us,” Ms Hagan said.
“We have staff members and volunteers come out and clean up the place, it takes three or four hours a week just to get the main areas clean, then we have to get people up on the roof.”
“I’ve tried contacting council and of course I haven’t heard back from anyone. We’re the early voting centre for the federal election, and our disability access doorway is just covered in pigeon poo, it doesn’t look very good.”
“We’ve moved the air conditioners from the roof down to on the walls because the pigeons were behind there, we had a staff member clean them out and he found 18 and a half dead pigeons in amongst everything.”
Council has said that it is up to residents to control their own problems, but local pigeon racer Dick Robb said that the sudden spike in numbers can be explained.
“It’s a pretty big problem and it’s sort of come out of nowhere. There’s a feed lot about five kilometres west of Echuca, so the birds have unlimited feed which means they can breed for 12 months of the year,” Mr Robb said.
“To put that in perspective, we race them, and we have them breed only once a year.”
“They’re a curse. They are a filthy bird, and you can’t very well poison them all.”
“The town is just saturated. There was an occasion last year where after heavy rain a shop got flooded because the pigeons had clogged up the guttering and downpipes, it’s a bit ridiculous.”
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)
