NIGHT FLYERS
by Jim Emerton
On many a night out in nature or just in the street I have heard and caught glimpses of night migrations and local movements of many species of birds and not just ducks, geese and crows. This factor means that they can orientate and navigate without the immediate influence of direct sunlight, which has been deemed to be so significant in homing. We know of many recordings of racing pigeons in the UK and Continental Europe in what we refer to as the hours of darkness, do we not? Many types of birds will feed e.g. catch fish at night. I find this fascinating in relation to concepts of actual navigation of racing pigeons. What senses are activated in relation to what external phenomena and how does the brain and or mind take a possible role in the homing process? Do pigeons have abilities not common to man which are yet to be discovered or beyond human comprehension? What makes a pigeon tick? Does man have the ability to know? I suspect not.
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Elimar November 2013
