The Joe Murphy Column - 21-05-24

The Joe Murphy Column

Received an email from a very good friend of ours from Dublin who wrote; Hi Joe, I wondered if you had seen this article about the Cuckoo Tracking Project as one of the birds known as ‘Cuach KP’ has landed in Killarney National Park, which is part of the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage; who published this on 2^nd May 2024.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has confirmed that ‘Cuach KP’, is one of the first Irish cuckoos to be tagged as part of a Cuckoo Tracking Project has landed home in Killarney National Park after a winter spent in the rainforests of the Congo Basin in Central Africa.

Cuach KP, along with two other Irish cuckoos, was tagged in Killarney National Park in May 2023. He is the first to successfully make the 9,000km journey home for the summer months. On arrival into Ireland on Monday, KP made a short stop in Fermoy before making his way to Derrycunihy, in Killarney National Park, the place where he was originally tagged before his release. While the cuckoo has been well-studied during the breeding season, very little is known about the routes they take once they head off on migration or where in Africa they spend the winter months. The Cuckoo Tracking Project was set up by the NPWS together with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) last year to better understand their migration patterns and the habitat pressures on the cuckoo population. The birds were given names and fitted with satellite tags so that their movements could be tracked. Cuach KP travelled an extraordinary 9000km to and from the Kingdom, covering two continents and several countries. After wintering in the Democratic Republic of the Congo he was tracked in Morocco, Cameroon, Ghana and the Ivory Coast; before flying northwards from the Western Sahara, where it was tagged south-west of Marrakesh before heading for Kerry. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan said: “The return of Cuach KP is real success story for this project, and the partnership between the NPWS and the British Trust for Ornithology. Projects like this really helps us to learn more about precious birds such as the cuckoo and how we can all keep them safe.”

Eamonn Meskell, Divisional Manager at Killarney National Park said: “We’re delighted that Cuach KP has found his way home to Killarney during the first year of this monitoring project. Cuckoos are such an intriguing bird and one that we associate with the arrival of summer. All of us at Killarney National Park are now hoping that the two other birds tagged as part of this project will follow and join him here over the coming days.” Sam Bayley, NPWS Conservation Ranger, who set up the Project in conjunction with BTO said: “Satellite tagging gives us a clear picture of the cuckoo’s journey for the first time, to Africa and back to Ireland. KPs journey was a round trip of nearly 9000km ending with an epic sea crossing from northern Spain direct to Ireland across the Bay of Biscay. Big sea crossings haven't been recorded in cuckoos in Europe before, so that’s a really interesting twist.” Reports from the satellite tagging system indicate that that other cuckoos from the project are also on their way. Cuach Torc is currently in the vicinity of Brittany. He had settled near the Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and later flew over 2,000km west to Ghana, and has since began flying North, via Casablanca in Morocco. Cuach Cores was the last of the three to leave. He remained in the South of France for several months before flying South as far as the Congo Basin in the DRC. The bird migrated west through Cameroon, and has been tracked north-west across Nigeria and Lagos e.n. route to Ireland. He is already making quick progress towards Ireland. Cuckoos, or Cuach as Gaelige, are a summer migrant to Ireland. Adult birds are resident here from April to early July, having spent the winter on the African continent. They are a unique bird in Ireland as they lay their eggs in other birds’ nests and have no involvement in raising their young. Across Ireland, the cuckoo has seen a 27% reduction in breeding distribution between the first national census, Bird Atlas (1968-1972), and the most recent Bird Atlas (2007-2011). We’ve been satellite-tracking Cuckoos since 2011 to find out why they are in decline; Since 1995, the number of Cuckoos has decreased by over 30%. The Cuckoo is currently Red-listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern in the UK. We’ve been satellite-tracking Cuckoos since 2011 to find out why they are in decline;

Latest updates; ‘Cuach Torc’ catches up with Killarney ‘Cohort KP’. After several days in the Finistère area of Brittany, ‘Cuach Torc’ has now left north-western France and has made his way to south-west Ireland. His journey of approximately 550km (341 miles), saw him taking a direct route across the Celtic Sea, past the Isles of Scilly and Bishop’s Rock lighthouse, and into Killarney National Park, where he joins Cuckoo cohort KP! Sayaan swoops into Sussex; 01 May 2024 Since our last update two days ago, Sayaan has covered the last 385km (239 miles) to his summer residence in West Sussex. Making a direct flight north east, he cut across Normandy before crossing The Channel and arriving in the UK near Worthing. He is currently back at the Knepp Estate, where he was originally tagged. Since leaving the UK on 19 June 2023 Sayaan has taken a wide circular route which has seen him pass through a remarkable 21 countries!  ‘Cuach Cores’ is still in France. After a relatively brief stop on the Algerian / Tunisian border, Cores took a direct route of around 850km (528 miles) across the Mediterranean, arriving in southern France near the town of Montpellier. He has continued a further 450km (280 miles) north and is now in central France, preparing for the last leg of his journey. When will he join KP in Ireland? For more information you can log onto This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I found this article very interesting and I hope readers of my column also find this of interest.

Results

I glad to see that fanciers are now taking up my request of sending in photographs of their federation winners. They are as good as any other federation winner in the UK and deserve a pat on the back.

Ayrshire Federation; News from Baz Nicol; who wrote, ‘Good morning, Joe I hope this finds you well; thank you for putting our results into your column. The federation were at Wooler on the 27^th April after a spell of better weather in the day’s prior, the birdage was better this week with 86 members sending 1980 birds. The convoy was liberated at 09-30am into no wind turning slightly easterly on route. Winning 1^st Centre Section and topping the open is ‘The Don’ Robert (Rab Doo) Donegan of Newmilns, with a super blue bar yearling cock on a velocity of 1606; who wins the Gibb of Galston Cup; Robert’s bird has already won this year in the first week taking the honours in Darvel club. He comes from Soontjen stock via Roy Mulligan of Doncaster. Next on the fed result is the Ardeer HS winner and 1^st North Section is Dave Howie who take 2^nd to 6^th open positions-well done again to Dave and Kirsty who remain a very hard team to beat. Making up the top 10 are the north section partnership of Stirrat & McKenna 7^th 8^th & 10^th with Baz Nicol runner up in Centre Section and 9^th fed.  R Donegan is 1^st open Ayrshire Federation Wooler OB and 1^st & 3rd Centre section. 2^nd Centre Section is B Nicol of Irvine. 4^th is D McCullen of Kilmaurs and W Julyan of Kilmaurs in 5th. The North section had 901 birds away with D Howie of Ardeer club taking the first 5 places with Stirrat & McKenna taking the next 5 places.  The Central Section had 570 birds R Donegan is 1^st & 3^rd with B Nicol of Irvine in 2^nd spot. D McCullen of Irvine is 4^th with W Julyan of Kilmarnock Invitation club in 5^th place. A McKenna also from Irvine is 7^th with D McTaggart of Kilmarnock Invitation club in 8^th place. E Diamond of Irvine HS is 9^th with J Stewart of Kilmarnock Invitation in 10^th place. South section winner this week is Matt Brown of Whittlets & District on 1537ypm; Cree & Cuthbert of the same club take 2^nd & 3rd and Willie Lawrence in 4^th & 5th section. Other Club Winners; A Barbour tops the Dalry result. Kilmarnock Invitation is won by W Julyan; Irvine NTHS winner is B Nicol. Carrick & District winners Jamieson & Son. Matt Brown wins Whittlets and D Howie Ardeer. Kilwinning J McNeil, Annbank won by D Graham, Cumnock J & S Galloway and G Slaven takes the win in Mauchline. Another good race Joe, a gentle with helpful weather conditions again. Looking forward now to Appleby as we swing west. Kindest regards Baz Nicol. Club Points; 1st Arder HS 5; 2nd Darvel HS 3; 3rd Kilwinning HS 2; 4th Dalry HS 1; 5th Irvine NTHS 1 point. Fanciers Points total; D Howie 39; R Donegan 27; Stirrat & McKenna 18; J & S O'Hare 16; J Savage 13; B Nicol 12; A Barbour 11; John Simpson 8; D McCullen 6. My thanks to Baz for the result and the photo of the federation winner to go with the report. 

Robert Donegan Ayrshire Fed Winner

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Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club

News from Charlie Cameron with the 3^rd old bird race from Blaydon on 5^th May; with the birds liberated at 8-45 am into a light south west wind. We had 6 members sending 148 birds, with Charlie & Glen Cameron took the first 3 places with winner doing 1220. Chic & Ann Carrie are 4^th with man of the moment Paul Cameron winning 5^th & 7^th places. Les McKay wins 6^th & 8^th with A & A Shepherd winning 9^th spot. Graham McKenzie makes up the top 10.  

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East of Scotland Federation

News from Tom McEwan with the Harrowgate race result; flown on the 5^th May the convoy was liberated at 9am into a light south west wind. Topping the federation for his 2^nd federation win of the season is Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton with a yearling blue hen. George Veitch of East Salton is keeping up his great results winning 3^rd 5^th 9^th & 10^th federation. Brian Lavery of Prestonpans has a good yearling chequer cock in 3^rd place. Andrew Gilpin of Haddington completes a double winning 4^th & 7^th fed. John Baillie of Tranent keeps up his good run by winning 6^th & 8^th federation.

Prestonpans HS.   

Winner as Brian Lavery with a yearling blue cock; John Baillie takes the next 2 places, with his first bird a 2-year-old dark chequer hen, she is a granddaughter of the cock that won 40^th open SNFC Roye and 7^th open Ypres. He was also on the SNFC Young Bird result. John’s 2^nd bird was a yearling blue cock bred from stock purchased by Performance Pigeons UK Stud.

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Kingdom RPA

News from Pete Penman who wrote; ‘Hi Joe we were meant to be at Darlington along with the Fife Federation. Unfortunately, some nine miles south of Alnwick the transporter suffered a blow out. Thankfully the driver and birds were all ok. Jim managed to nurse the motor back to Alnwick with hope of a liberation from there on Saturday, but with a rugby match taking place and the car park quickly filling up there was no chance of a liberation. After the blow out was repaired and no suitable place found to liberate it was decided to head north to Wooler. Finally, the birds were liberated at 14.30 in a west/south west wind. Leading the way this week was the Leuchars loft of Eric & Liz Young with a Frans Zwols cock sitting 10-day eggs. 2^nd was the inform loft of Gary Hall of Coaltown of Balgonie club with a home bred yearling chequer cock on roundabout. In 3^rd place again was Eric & Liz Young with a gift bird from Tom Berwick flying to the perch. 4^th position went to Chic Dinsdale of Coaltown of Balgonie with a yearling chequer cock that was 5^th club last week and he also won 1^st club from the young bird Wakefield last year. Rosyth took the next two places with Hugh Gormley just edging out Mitchell & Stonehouse. The late Bob Blyth took the red card at St. Serfs with Sandy Proctor in second spot just ousting brother John into 3^rd place. Taking 3^rd club at Coaltown was club secretary Pete Penman with a 4-year-old red hen that has many good club positions flying spare. A big thank you must go out to the Fife Fed officials for getting us a race under very trying conditions. Kindest regards Pete.’ Pete has kindly shown me a photograph of a pigeon that returned home from the 2^nd race of the season with a big gap in its wing. The season is now over for this bird which is a big disappointment as the bird was due to go over the channel this year.

Season just started and this bird returns like this. Season Over

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Almond Valley Federation

News from secretary Lynne Stewart with the Alnwick race result which was flown on 5^th May with the convoy of 1308 birds liberated at 08-45am. Taking top spot is Colin Ross of Balerno club with a 2-year-old doing a velocity of 1237. S Russell of Bonnybridge club takes the next 3 places with I McLelland of the same club in 5^th spot. Clubmate J Urquhart is 6^th followed by D McBeath of Armadale club. East Calder’s Freddie Jamieson & son are 8^th with B & D Halliday of Bonnybridge club winning 9^th spot and J Burnside of Armadale is in 10^th place.

Club Winners are as follows;

Armadale 180 birds; 1^st D McBeath 1209. 2^nd J Burnside 1199. 3^rd D McBeath 1177. 4^th J Hadfield 1161.

Balerno 101 birds; 1^st to 4^th places won by C Ross 1237.-1163.- 1150.630, 1150.159

Bonnybridge 400 birds; 1^st 2^nd & 3^rd S Russell 1232. 1230.448, 1230.300, 4^th I McLelland 1223.

Carnwath 173 birds; 1^st & 2^nd Thomson Bros & I Thomson 1062 & 1061. 3^rd S McArdle 1015. Thomson Bros & I Thomson 1008.

East Calder 123 birds; 1^st F Jamieson & Son 1204. 2^nd Mr Mrs Fleming 1177.3^rd F Jamieson & Son 1123. 4^th Mr Mrs Fleming 1101

Fauldhouse 202 birds; 1^st & 2^nd Colligan & Hope 1153 & 1144. 3^rd J Brown 1137. 4^th Colligan & Hope 1135.

West Calder 129 birds; 1^st 2^nd 3^rd & 4^th J Bird 1189. 1186. 1162 & 1161.

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Fife Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies

News from Archie Herd with the Wooler 2 race flown on 5^th May with the convoy of 1222 birds liberated at 14-30pm into a West to South West wind. Birdage breakdown was as follows; Kennoway sending 266 birds; Methilhaven 181 birds; St Andrews 90 birds; Novar & Leslie 47 birds; Crossgates 172 birds; Dunfermline 236 birds and Lochgelly 230 birds.

Taking the top spot and also winning 2^nd 3^rd 4^th 5^th 7^th 8^th & 9^th east section and open is John Harcus of St Andrews club. S Diamond of Kennoway is 6^th with B Chalmers in 10^th place.

The West section was won by J Coltart Snr of Lochgelly club with R Cook of Crossgates club in 2^nd & 4^th positions. Eddie McWilliams of Dunfermline club is 3^rd with J Hynd & son of Lochgelly club winning 5^th 7^th & 8^th positions. My old pal Walker Kennedy from Dunfermline is in 9^th spot with club mate Andy Ritchie 10^th. Other Club First Bird; Methilhaven winner David Armour with Novar & Leslie winner Turpie & McCord. Correction to last week’s Alnwick result West Section Places G Williams (9^th & 10^th Novar & Leslie)  

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Pentland Hills Federation

News from Andy Miller with the result of the 4^th race of the 2024 was from Harrogate; flown on 5^th May with a distance of 138-152 miles for the members. The convoy of 1002 birds entered by 52 lofts was liberated at 09:00 in a south west wind. Winning 1^st federation is John Dowling & loft manager Eric Willis from Danderhall Club. They timed their yearling Frans Van Wildemeersch hen on a velocity of 1209. The hen was bred by Rab Marinello from Sighthill club and was raced natural sitting on 14-day eggs. Sire is a son of ‘Banker’ purchased from Mark Williams from Prestatyn a breeder of many winners. Dam was bred by the late Ian Parsons from Cumbria. This stock pair bred last year’s 2^nd open Peterborough young bird Midweek race last year for Black & Robertson Danderhall. Second & 3^rd is Freddie & Willie Robertson from Danderhall with their 2^nd bird winning £353. The forth place goes to the Woodburn partnership of Brown & Black with K Dick of Edinburgh Premier club winning 5^th & 16^th open. The Danderhall partnership of the Winter Family are 6^th & 7^th with club mates Willie Pryde & son John in 8^th position, they also won 11^th 12^th & 13^th open. Lindsay & Mackie also from Danderhall are 14^th open. Returns seem to be quite good with only a couple missing from most lofts. Our next race Joe is from Bubwith, kindest regards Andy.                                      

J Dowling Pentlandhills Federation Winner see text

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Scottish Central Federation

News from Bernie Britton with the result of the Hexham race flown on the 4^th May with a convoy of 982 pigeons liberated at 10-00am into a west wind.

Winchburgh club sent 202 birds taking 1^st club 7^th federation is Charlie Job with a young mealy widowhood cock down from his David Jamieson lines. Charlie has retired just recently and now has the time to spend with his birds which is starting to pay off. 2^nd club 8^th federation is Mark Doran with a Gaby from Ronnie Wright.

3^rd club 14^th fed is Peter Keogh with a black hen bred by Dougie Barnes from is Syndicate Loft birds. Equal 4^th club 15^th and 16^th federation with a couple of blue hens is once again Peter. One from his Page Brothers stock and the other a mixture of the bloodlines within the loft. Peter had four birds drop together all doing 888yds/m.

Broxburn club sent 194 birds; with Gordon MacKenzie taking the first 4 positions; his 1^st & 4^th pigeons were bred by D Hawkins and Evans being Gaby Vandenabeele’s. His 2nd pigeon is his own Gaby and his 3^rd pigeon again home bred Gaby from my best Gaby's 5 sent 194

Gordon MacKenzie Central fed winner

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Angus Federation

News from David Liddle who wrote; Please find the results attached for our race from Blaydon with 25 members sending 631 birds; these were liberated at 08-45 am into a light south west wind. The race was delayed by 24 hours due to a poor weather forecast for Saturday and the race control team of Davie Glen and Danny Henderson excelled once again to give us good race on Sunday. Forfar Club’s Ian Scott takes the top spot with a 2-year-old widowhood cock. He was bred from a pair of Busschaerts from Ian`s late friend Bob Baldie and he has won 6^th club 7th federation from Kettering last year along with other minor positions. Davie Glen was 2^nd & 6^th club and federation with his first bird a 2-year-old Busschaert widowhood cock. This pigeon was 1^st club and federation last year from Melton Mowbray and also won 6^th club and federation from Wooler 2 weeks ago. Ken Droog & son are 3^rd with W Nicol winning 5^th & 9^th open. D J Liddle wins 7^th position in both with Eric Galloway wins 10^th position in both club and federation; kindest regards, David

Club Winners;

Forfar had 15 members sending 417 birds; 1^st I Scott 1297.126 2^nd D Glen 1297.12.

Arbroath had 6 members sending 148 birds; 1^st P Cameron 1220.25 2^nd C & G Cameron

Gourdon 2 members sending 41 birds; 1^st D & D Hay 1188.76

Montrose; 2 members sending 25 birds; 1^st M Wallace & Son 1028.79

This week’s Photos

The first of these is of my two dear friends; Jock Strang and Dennis Anderson; this photo was taken at my Sporting Challenge night out. The pigeons are as follows; the red chequer is ‘Erichtside Double Delight’ winner of 1^st open SNFC Nantes flying 650 miles for Donaldson & Downie. The blue bar is Robert Donegan Ayrshire federation winner; and the pied hen is J Dowling Pentlandhills federation winner. The photo of the injured bird happened on the 2^nd week of the new racing season.

Two of my dear friends Jock Strang & Dennis Anderson & Erichtside Double Delight 1st open SNFC Nantes 1988 for Donaldson & Downie of Rattray

27-day Space Weather Outlook Table

Have had a few phone calls asking if I’m going to restart my Space Weather Forecast, as it seems quite a few fanciers have still followed it now for the past few years.  

Issued 06-May 2024

   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

2024 May 06     180          35          6

2024 May 07     185          12          4

2024 May 08     190           8          3

2024 May 09     185          10          3

2024 May 10     175           5          2

2024 May 11     175           5          2

2024 May 12     175           8          3

2024 May 13     175          15          4

2024 May 14     180          10          3

2024 May 15     205           5          2

2024 May 16     205           5          2

2024 May 17     200           5          2

2024 May 18     195           5          2

2024 May 19     190           5          2

2024 May 20     185           5          2

2024 May 21     180           5          2

2024 May 22     175           5          2

2024 May 23     170           8          3

2024 May 24     165          12          4

2024 May 25     170           8          3

2024 May 26     175           5          2

2024 May 27     175          12          4

2024 May 28     170           8          3

2024 May 29     165           5          2

2024 May 30     165           5          2

2024 May 31     165           8          3

2024 Jun 01     175          12          4

Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or you can also view online editions on: www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk - www.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! - thecanadianpigeoninternational.com www.internationalracingpigeon.com Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland?

© Compiled by Joe Murphy