by johnnymarin | Sep 6, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — When you think of pigeons, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not, “world class athlete.”
“People know ’em as ‘rats of the sky’ and things like that. Sitting down on the buildings downtown and pooping on people,” Paul Rudolph said. “Pigeons have gotten such a bad rap over the years.”
But among a small group of people here in the Twin Cities, these birds simply inspire awe.
“It’s an enjoyable sport,” Rudolph said.
Competing in a sport most people have probably never heard of.
“It’s like having a kite, with no string,” Rudolph said.
Pigeon racing.
“Yeah, most people I run into, don’t have a clue on it,” Rudolph said.
Race day begins before sunrise. On this Saturday morning, the release point is just across the Iowa border, just south of Albert Lea.
Rudolph works to get everything prepared. There is a starting gate, if you will, but the unique thing about pigeon racing is the finish line is different places all over the Twin Cities, since the birds use their homing instinct to fly back to their own coop.
There are about 60 pigeon racers in the Twin Cities, and in this trailer, about 1,500 birds.
This race is only about 100 miles, but others are as long as 600.Then, at the designated moment, the race begins.
“They average about 50 miles an hour, but if they get a tailwind, 85, 90 miles an hour,” Rudolph said. “And on some of the long races, when you think them birds been pumping them wings for 15 hours, that’s pretty impressive.”
This race will only take a couple hours.
In the meantime, at coops like Rudolph’s in Maplewood, it’s a waiting game.
The winner of this race is going to win by how much?
“Seconds. Seconds. If that bird just pauses for one second, you lost the race. Just that quick,” Rudolph said.
How that’s measured is high-tech.
“These are what we call antennas. And as the bird walks over, he has a little chip band on his leg, like this, that triggers the clock,” Rudolph said.
Since they finish in different places, a calculation must be done — total time divided by total distance — to determine an average speed. The fastest is the winner.
“In time you find the birds that can do the distance, do the tough stuff, and so you naturally mate them together and you weed out the ones that don’t. And, ah, sell ’em to somebody else,” Rudolph said.The keys to this sport are breeding and training — actually a lot like horseracing.
Is there prize money?
“There’s some. But it’s so minute,” Rudolph said.
It’s not a sport you do for the money. It’s for the love of the game.
“When I see a bird come home from a four, five, six hundred mile race, and you think of the hours that bird was on the wing,” Rudolph said. “You can take ’em 600 miles and they’ve never been there, you turn ’em loose and they come home? Pretty amazing. I don’t know what other animal can do it.”
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 | Sep 5, 2017 | Pigeon Spikes
Nearly a quarter (23%) of solar panel owners have had a problem with their system, exclusive Which? research reveals. Inverter problems are the most common, but pigeons, panel problems and electrical faults have also plagued other owners. Some of the problems were most likely to be spotted by owners in the first year, but others occur over time, with wear and tear. In June 2017, we surveyed 1,265 Which? members who own solar panels to find out about their experiences with solar panels. Read on to find out which other problems your solar panels are most likely to experience and what to expect with an inverter. Our in-depth factory audit reveals which solar panel brands are built to last. Solar panel problems: inverters and birds Besides problems with the inverter, the next most-common problems that solar panel owners experience are electrical system issues and loose or damaged roof tiles, as you can see in the chart below. Other problems experienced by fewer than 4% of owners were accidental damage to panels (3%), problems with other parts (2%) and isolator problems (1%). But 25% of you told us that you’d experienced another type of problem. One of the most commonly reported was birds nesting or fouling your panels. Several owners told us about pigeons nesting under panels, for instance. One owner is bothered by crows: ‘They get under the panels so I have put rolled up chicken wire round the outside.’ Another noted they get ‘bird droppings on the panels’. How soon do solar panel problems show up? Problems with the electrics in the solar panel system are most likely to occur less than a year after installation, our research reveals. The same is true for loose or damaged roof tiles; potentially occurring at the time of installation. But inverter problems are most likely to happen several years after purchase. To make sure your solar panel installation goes smoothly, make sure you hire a reputable solar panel company, and get at least three quotes. Use Which? Trusted Traders directory to find trustworthy local solar panel installers, recommended by other customers. Watch our video of a solar panel installation so you know what to expect on the day. Solar panel inverter problems An inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity produced by solar panels to alternating current (AC) which can be used in your home. It’s a box which is often installed in the loft. Solar panels are expected to have at least a 20-year lifespan. But inverters aren’t so long-lasting, so you should bear in mind you’ll probably have to replace it during the lifetime of your solar PV system. One in ten owners have replaced their inverter One in ten (9%) owners told us they’ve had to replace their inverter since they’ve had their solar panel system installed. Most commonly, they replaced the inverter four years after they bought their solar PV system – almost a quarter (23%) told us this. Some 16% said they’d replaced their inverter more than five years after purchase. But the same percentage said they’d had to replace it less than a year after buying their system. A new inverter can cost at least £1,000. If you’re considering buying solar panels, factor this cost into your calculations. Find out more about solar panel prices and savings.
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 | Sep 4, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
A SCHOOL’S pigeon-racing team has hit the heights to win a 120-mile race.
Longshaw Junior School, from Park Lee Road in Blackburn raced against 15 other competitors from the Oswaldwistle Homing Society in the Tewkesbury race and flew past all of their competitors to take first place.
Before the race pigeons are taken to be marked and prepared for the race and then taken to a liberation point.
They are then liberated together and then fly back to their home lofts and the one with the highest velocity, speed at yards per minute, wins the race.
The winning pigeon travelled the fastest of the other 266 pigeons sent out, flying at 50mph, and obtained the highest velocity.
Seven-year-old Lawson Berry and father Jonathan Berry, who is the deputy headmaster at the school, were two members of the team.
The 40-year-old deputy head said: “Our pigeon had the fastest time and the highest velocity.
“Some competitors have 40 years’ experience in pigeon racing so it’s quite an achievement.
“My son is going to start pigeon racing next year. He said to me he wants his own cabin now. He is absolutely addicted.
“When you ask some people about pigeon racing they will say they’ve never even heard of it as a sport.
“This animal race is unique because these birds are not pets. They are doing a job for you. It’s a sport.
“They are very hard to control and the only way you can at the start is with food.”
Pigeon Fancying is now part of the Park Lee Road school’s curriculum.
The school has committed itself to promoting the sport of racing pigeons to other schools and has been supported by the local authority who are keen to promote the educational benefits associated with the sport.
Mr Berry added: “The first thing to do is to make people aware. Our school is one of the only ones in the country involved in pigeon racing.”
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 | Sep 3, 2017 | Bird Deterrent Products
A Horncastle pensioner is calling for a cull of the town’s booming pigeon population – claiming the birds are a major threat to health. Robert Poole, 80, says pigeon lung disease is a menace to anyone already suffering from breathing problems. He claims the NHS is spending millions of pounds treating people as a direct result of the disease. Mr Poole says the disease is transmitted through bird’s feathers and faeces. He says he has regularly counted 150-strong flocks of pigeons on buildings in Horncastle, but stresses it is an worldwide issue. He said: “Over the years, we have become inundated with pigeons. They have taken over our cites and towns. In fact, they have taken over the world. “This humble bird – like other birds – has a disease of the lung. Unlike other birds, pigeons gather together as a flight. The bigger the flight, the more the risk to a certain percentage of the population. “For example, those people who suffer from emphysema, chronic bronchitis or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) which is an umbrella term for both conditions are particularly vulnerable. That is not forgetting asthma and other chest related diseases.” Robert, who himself suffers from breathing problems, says walking near to pigeons can aggravate any health issues. He added: “Pigeon lung disease is transmitted through the bird’s feathers and bodily discharge. “You only have to walk through Horncastle to see the mess they leave. “They fly in close proximity to trees, roofs, gutters, and, of course, people. “This disease the pigeons have is scattered into the atmosphere and it is highly likely anyone with breathing problems will be affected. “Temperature also has a marked effect. The higher the temperature and humidity, the more serious the consequences.” Robert said his claims are backed by health experts. He added: “Statistics show one in eight hospital admissions are due to COPD and asthma. “This makes COPD the second largest cause of emergency admissions and one of the most expensive in-patient conditions treated by the NHS. “A lot of this could be avoided if we culled the number of pigeons. “The effect it has on patient health is a severe shortness of breath. This may eventually become very distressing and become more serious with complications. “I know. I have been there. I was diagnosed with COPD in 2012. Eighteen months ago, I was interviewed by a medical company from London and a lot of the information I have is supported by Public Health England and the Health Protection Team.” Is it time to put pigeons on the pill or use a hawk to reduce numbers? Mr Poole says he has tried to highlight the consequences of pigeon lung disease but adds many people don’t believe him – despite ‘the mountain’ of medical evidence backing his claims. He is calling for medical organisations – and individuals who could suffer from the effects of the disease – to come together and discuss the problem. He adds: “It affects so mAny people – young and old – yet the vast majority aren’t aware of it.” Town councillors have previously discussed ways of reducing the pigeon population in Horncastle after complaints about the mess they cause. Ideas have included a cull, bringing in a hawk, or even putting pigeons on ‘the pill’. The council says it has not received any recent complaints.
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 | Sep 2, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
Dove season opens hunting in the state beginning Sept. 2 and runs through three splits in our South Zone — Sept. 2-10, Oct. 7-Nov. 26 and Dec. 17-Jan. 15.
There are seven dove species in Louisiana, five of them legal to bag — mourning dove, Eurasian collared-dove, ringed-turtle dove, white-winged dove and the rock dove (pigeon).
The two that are protected are the common ground dove and the Inca dove.
Most abundant is the mourning dove which likes the open fields. We see more white-winged doves in neighborhoods. I live behind the McNeese State football stadium and have about two dozen that greet me every morning when I go out to feed birds.
Most of the white-wings are seen Southwest and Southeast of Central Louisiana.
The collared doves are statewide and the turtle doves are statewide but spotty.
This year the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has put a restriction on hunters using the Wildlife Management Areas and the departments leased fields.
They will only be allowed to use a non-toxic shot, size 6 and smaller for hunting.
The official news release from the LDWA reads: “The change is intended to reduce the deposition of lead shot and potential effects of lead on wildlife. Current research has demonstrated that in dove fields and areas surrounding dove fields, deposition of lead is high and concentration of lead is elevated in the soil.
“The regulation was proposed and adopted in order to mitigate the potential exposure of lead to wildlife in areas impacted by this activity.”
As for WMAs, there are none in the immediate area but Kori Legleu, a biologist with the local LDWA office, said the department will have several area dove field leases for the season.
“We probably won’t know for sure until about a week before the season begins,” she said.
Legleu noted that the leased fields will be in the DeRidder and Ragley areas.
She said hunters will be charged $10 each to hunt the leased fields per day and will have to check in at the site, noting that this is an opportunity for those who don’t have a place to hunt.
Hunters can go on the LDWF website to find out more on the leased fields.
Maps of these fields will also be available at the local LDWA headquarters.
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)
