Anbody lost a racing pigeon?

[ofco8]

Last Saturday one tried to get into our dining room window fanlight thinking it was his loft.

Wouldn't go away and ended up watching us through the window by standing on end of the barbecue.

We eventually rang pigeon club and RSPCA and they said it was probably tired and stopped for a rest on its way home and would we feed and water.

Put out some seed and water which it ignored and spent the afternoon on the roof.

Eventually, four or five feral pigeons joined him on the roof and he seems to have joined their family.

Each day since they have all turned up, including the racer, and sit on our roof.

Its ring says GB 11 but cannot read other number.

 

[OzMike]

I used to race pigeons when I was young...........................waits for stupid comments..........................
Anyway, it should be easy to catch if it is tame, then spread the wing and you may find the name of the owner and a phone number stamped on the wing feathers.
Owner used to do this just for this reason.

 

[Hillian1]

If you can get hold of it, there looks to be one of those message canisters on the back of the ring.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Waits for Ernest....

 

[ofco8]

I used to race pigeons when I was young...........................waits for stupid comments..........................
Anyway, it should be easy to catch if it is tame, then spread the wing and you may find the name of the owner and a phone number stamped on the wing feathers.
Owner used to do this just for this reason.

OK thanks for that.

Should be fun trying to catch because now if we approach the ferals take to the air with him in hot pursuit!!!

 

[ofco8]

If you can get hold of it, there looks to be one of those message canisters on the back of the ring.

Oh yes, I can see that now.

 

[OzMike]

You would be surprised how easy it is to catch them, I've caught loads in my time, even wild ones.
There is a technique, which is not that hard to do, do you want me too share it?

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Pie for dinner tonight ?

 

[Goldstone1976]

You would be surprised how easy it is to catch them, I've caught loads in my time, even wild ones.
There is a technique, which is not that hard to do, do you want me too share it?

Does it involve a 12-bore?

 

[OzMike]

Does it involve a 12-bore?

No, just a tin/bowl of pigeon corn and a stool, a sitting down on type stool and patience.

 

[Thinker]

Hi-for all things creature-contact Seahaven bird rescue on 07008 099934
They will be able to help about your racer-good luck.

 

[WATFORD zero]

If you do catch it, this may be handy (obviously use a quarter of these ingredients unless you manage to catch 3 of his mates as well)

Ingredients
For the marinade
4 garlic cloves, sliced
½tsp picked thyme leaves
6 black peppercorns, crushed
4 tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed oil
8 wood pigeon breasts
For the gravy
2 tbsp sugar
200ml red wine
2 sprigs thyme
6 juniper berries, lightly crushed
For the roasted leeks
12 baby leeks, trimmed
1 tbsp butter
For the wild mushrooms
handful wood ear mushrooms, sliced
15-20 wild brown closed-cup mushrooms, sliced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed oil
salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation method
Pre-heat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7.

Combine the garlic, thyme, black peppercorns and rapeseed oil in a small bowl. Using a sharp knife, score the pigeon breasts' skin lightly and rub in the marinade - leave for at least 20 minutes.
To make the gravy, combine the sugar and a few drops of water in a smallish, very clean saucepan and place over a high heat to caramelise. Once the sugar melts and has gone a dark golden brown, pour in the red wine. Add the thyme and the juniper berries. Cook the sauce until it is reduced by two thirds - this will take about 12-15 minutes. Season to taste, strain and keep warm.
Place the leeks in a saucepan of boiling, salted water and blanch for 10 seconds. With a pair of tongs, remove the leeks from the boiling water and plunge into a bowl of ice-cold water. When they have cooled, drain the leeks well.
Place the leeks in an ovenproof saucepan or baking sheet with a knob of butter. Transfer to the hot oven and cook until tender - this should take about 10-15 minutes.
Heat a griddle pan until hot. Season the pigeon breasts with salt and freshly ground pepper and place on the hot griddle pan. Cook for just a few minutes on each side until cooked to your liking, then remove from the heat and set aside in a warm place for at least five minutes.
For the mushrooms, heat a small frying pan. When hot, add the rapeseed oil and fry the garlic until golden brown. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until softened. Be careful - the wood-ear mushrooms can pop and splutter quite ferociously.
Serve the pigeon with the leeks, mushrooms, and a drizzle of the red wine gravy.

 

[Blues Rock DJ]

If you can get hold of it, there looks to be one of those message canisters on the back of the ring.

probably says......'Hypia next manager of Brighton '

 

[The Stout Yeoman]

 

[symyjym]

Have to say it's a fine looking pigeon, not the usual tat we see. Maybe his heart isn't into racing anymore because I am pretty certain that he is not lost, and looks like he prefers to be a free spirit to me. Good on him, you can put a tag on his leg but you can't take away his freedom.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

Last Saturday one tried to get into our dining room window fanlight thinking it was his loft.

Wouldn't go away and ended up watching us through the window by standing on end of the barbecue.

We eventually rang pigeon club and RSPCA and they said it was probably tired and stopped for a rest on its way home and would we feed and water.

Put out some seed and water which it ignored and spent the afternoon on the roof.

Eventually, four or five feral pigeons joined him on the roof and he seems to have joined their family.

Each day since they have all turned up, including the racer, and sit on our roof.

Its ring says GB 11 but cannot read other number. View attachment 55124

I'm not up on this subject but I seem to recall that fanciers just wring the necks of strayers.

 

[Goldstone1976]

I'm not up on this subject but I seem to recall that fanciers just wring the necks of strayers.

I have no idea if this is true, but it does sound plausible. The last thing that a keeper of homing pigeons wants is to allow the genes of a proven non-homing homing pigeon "infect" his flock, I'd have thought...

 

[wehatepalace]

I've just purchased a new shotgun that I'm eager to try out if you get stuck !

 

[Prince Monolulu]

 

[Everest]

11 you say?

Who's wearing 11 in Brazil?
Welbeck... figures.