The Joe Murphy Column
I have never been so low regarding racing pigeons as this past week. Kevin’s has been training his youngsters and they are out twice a day flying for an hour at a time. They are heavens high and to be honest look like yearlings as they were bred quite early in the season. He has missed the first couple of races as everyone knows once they have been in the transporter then you can catch the dreaded ‘Young Bird Sickness’. He sent 59 youngsters to the 4th race from Otterburn a distance of 97 miles which was held on a Tuesday 15th August liberated with the 363 birds from the federation with the convoy liberated at 08-00 hours into a west wind. Kevin had to go to work but the ETS was on and he would check on them at lunch time. When he did he only had ONE bird home and another came while he was in the loft. He texted me and then went back to work and at night he had 5 home from his entry. He was on the point of giving up the pigeons for good and I could understand why as I was feeling the same (as I had bred the majority of them). He has had another 5 come back and 4 reported from the Durham area for which John Rayner of Trindon Village has collected for him along with the youngster John got in. To whom we both thank for his sportsmanship and we have arranged a courier to go in for them. As bad as we are both feeling I have heard of more horrendous episodes of fanciers being cleaned out this early in the season. One lad lost 35 birds, another lost 21 and I could go on and on about the losses fanciers are experiencing just now. It is more than obvious that the birds are being hit as soon as they are liberated. As we all know the parent hawks are now training their babies how to hunt and once 5 hawks attack a convoy of 363 they scatter in every direction under the sun. To everyone who is suffering the same as we both are you have our condolences as all the work and effort means nothing when you look into an empty young bird loft. I have had fanciers on the phone discussing their thoughts on the reason for these losses as we never had those losses years ago. Away back in the 70/80’s Fife federation used to take the young birds training in the transporter before the young bird racing season started. Their first training flight was from Inverkeithing which is in Fife and just before you go over the Forth Bridge. I remember speaking to Matt McLaughlin who lived in Ballingry which is a 10 to 15 minutes, drive to Inverkeithing and asked him why he would have his youngsters spend a night in the transporter when he could take them down and liberate them in the morning with the convoy. But they would not gain any experience by doing that, a night in the transporter will do them the world of good and getting let out with a few hundred youngsters would also be good experience. Nowadays we never do this with our youngsters because we don’t have time for racing our old birds at the national races. I also remember Tam Chalmers (Brian’s dad) and I took our youngsters in 1976 to the first race point which was Hawick a distance of 50 miles back to Kennoway. We were going to let the birds go in 2’s one of Tam’s and one of mine. Tam changed his mind and let all his babies go together and the batch of them headed eastwards and then north. I said ‘We have come this distance to try this experiment out and I’m going to let mine go in 2’s. I did so with the last 3 going together as I only had 21 youngsters. When we got back home a good few hours later Tam did not have a feather home (and he never did as he lost them all) When we arrived at my house I heard Margaret shaking the pea can and said to Tam well I’ve got something home. I ended out with 19 out of my 21 home and they went on to win as I won from Leyland, Stafford and had the only 3 bird’s home from the young bird national in the club. Not boasting but to continue with this story in the winter time Dave Smith of Dunning was the eyesign judge at our interclub show. After the show he came to our house and later on had a look at the pigeons and he picked out a young chequer hen on eyesign and said to me ‘This bird will score for you at 600 miles’. The next day I went out and had a good look at this bird’s eye and remembered what Dave had said. We called her Murphy’s Joy’ as she had flew Leyland 175 miles as a baby, then in 1977 she won 7th club Lancaster, as a 2 year old she won 8th federation 118th east section 211th open from SNFC Falaise 519 miles 5967 birds. In 1979 she won 25th open Fife Federation Cheltenham and also flew from SNFC Rennes 563 miles. In 1980 she won 4th east section 9th open Stafford and then won 1st club 3rd federation 9th east section 10th open SNFC Nantes 623 miles. So Dave Smith’s predation came true.
Hugh Wallace 1st & 2nd Fed Carnwath
Did it make home?
Received a phone call from Mr Richard Allen of Barrow in Furness, who informed me that he had an injured young Scottish pigeon enter his loft, this was a blue pied SU19S3148 and had only half a tail, and also had a hole in its side. Richard put the bird into a spare nest box and gave it food and water for a couple of days. When he went out today Tuesday 20th August the bird was desperate to get out so he let the bird out and it cleared the area heading northwards. Richard hopes this baby made it home and if this was your bird and it make it home please give Richard a phone call as he would like to hear from you his phone number is 01229 822868.
Entire Clearance Sales
Tam McQuire of Larkhall has forward me information regarding his late dear friend Andrew Lockhart entire clearance sales to be held in Newmains Flying Club hut Manse Road Newmains. Viewing is between 12 noon and 1pm, sale 1 will be held on Sunday 22nd September with sale 2 held on Sunday 29th September. Bloodlines are Wilf Reed of Wales, John Barnett of Telford, Willie & Margaret Wilson of Larkhall, Mr. & Mrs Andy Gregson of Preston, John Gilmour of Ecclefechan, Richard & Jamie Combe of Elphinstone, so some quality fanciers mentioned above. Anyone attending is requested to bring their own basket to take their purchases away. I hope the sale goes well for the sake of Andrews’s family as he was without doubt a fantastic fancier and a more genuine man you could not wish to meet.
Young Bird Sickness
Received an email from a non-fancier who wrote ‘How are you Joe, I'm a non-fancier but read your article and others as often as I can, I am writing this as I am surprised and bewildered by the amount of reply’s and different options people get given when they are struck with young bird sickness. Would it not be in everyone's interest if a correct and medically investigated remedy was given by someone who is qualified and has studied this disease and then a treatment was advised correctly and proven help; it cannot be good for the sport when someone loses birds through not giving the correct treatment. Thanking you for your time; Philip Cooper’
Race Results
Angus Federation
Kenny Droog wrote ‘Here are some details for you, as you know last week was a disaster of a race (peregrine attacks at liberation site) and over 50% of the birds (552) were lost at Lauder. With birds spread all over the central belt right through to Helensburgh, in fact the returning birds came from the Perth direction and it looks as though the birds travelled into the west then came back up through Stirling and Perth as the winning times would indicate. This week we had 237 birds but we let off a rocket at the liberation and although some fanciers did not have great returns a strong North West wind at home might not have helped. Certainly several fanciers had good returns and by all accounts the leading batch of approximately 15 birds hit Forfar on mass and a trapping frenzy ensued with Davie Glen coming out on top with Macaulay Ferguson and Curren just behind in 2nd 4th and 7th position, Eric Galloway had 2 off the batch but waited till both went in before running down the garden to take their rubbers off and clock in ending 11th and 12th. Ian Scott also had 2 together for 8th & 9th club secretary David Liddle also had 2 for 12th and 15th position back to our federation topper Davie Glen who wins 1st , 3rd , 5th 6th and 10th . Total birdage for the fed dropped with last week’s bad race to 363 good birds. Davie first bird recoded a velocity of 1073.48.all Davie`s birds have been darkened and the winning hen is down through his old Busschaert stock cock which as you may know gave Davie his national winner a few years back, she was sitting eggs and more to come from this top hen over the next week, 3rd was a cock who was just starting to make eyes at a young hen, his sire is a grandson to Davie`s great blue cock 746 which was one of the best racers ever ,winning many club and federation 1st places he also won 15th open Ypres in 2016 and then won 2nd open in 2017 on both occasions taking all the big pools. His next pigeon is one he bought in and the next bird is a grandson of Bruce McKenzie of Dundee`s national winner, top blood winning top positions. Winning the east section this week and last week`s disaster which actually was a very good bird it won 1st club 1st east section 10th fed from 684 birds and flying away up on the coast 7 miles further than the winners. this week he wins again the east section and remembering only a small team was sent, and over 6 miles north into the facing wind last week’s winner was bred from birds he bred himself containing Macaulay, Ferguson and Curran Busschaert lines crossed with De Raul Sablon blood and Ian Scott and De Raul Sablon blood. This week’s section winner has 11 flights on both wings, and is again De Raul Sablon with blood from Davie Glen`s Busschaerts.
Club winners are as follows; Forfar 237 birds winner D Glen; Gourdon 27 birds winner D & D Hay; Arbroath 80 birds winner Charlie & Glen Cameron, Montrose 19 birds winner G Campbell.
Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club
Had 5 members sending 80 birds to the Otterburn race on Tuesday 15th August liberated with the 363 birds from the federation at 08-00 hours into a west wind. 1st 2nd & 4th club is Charlie & Glen Cameron with A & A Shepherd winning 3rd place and R Nowosad is 5th with Chic & Ann Carrie in 6th place.
Almond Valleys Federation
Firstly I must apologise as I have put down Blackburn in my articles in the past and I was obviously not thinking so I’s sorry to the winners of the Bonnybridge club. News from Lynne Stewart who wrote ‘Hi Joe Almond Valley Federation was at Stobs Camp on August 15 with the convoy of 1125 birds liberated at 11-15 hours’. Taking top spot is the loft of Freddie Jamieson & Son of East Calder on a velocity of 1124 they are also 10th 11th & 12th federation. Dougie Bald of Balerno is 2nd 3rd 5th 6th 7th 8th & 9th with West Calder’s John Bird in 13th open. Mr & Mrs Fleming of East Calder are 14th 15th 16th & 17th with Colin Bain & Willie Fairley of Balerno club in 18th & 20th open, Jimmy Young of East Calder is 19th open.
John Nicol of Nicol Bros 3rd Fed Stobs Camp
Club Winners are as follows;
Balerno 149 birds; D Bald 1122.524, 1122.239, 1115.724, 1115.161
Bonnybridge 483 birds; R&L MacDuff 1051.130, J Loney 1049.837, J Leadbetter 1035.347, 1035.347
Carnwath 89 birds; McArdle & Thomson 899.30, I Thomson 896.49, Thomson Bros 891.70, McArdle & Thomson 890.53
Andy Barbour 3rd Fed Carnwath 2 YBs
East Calder 190 birds; F Jamieson & Son 1124.070, J M Young 1117.007, F Jamieson & Son 1099.674, 1098.897
West Calder 117 birds; J Bird 1069.248, 1044.616, 1044.397, 985.389
Almond Valley was at Otterburn on 17th August with 872 birds liberated at 11-30 hours. Dougie Bald of Balerno had a great race taking the 1st x 3 places plus 12th to 15th open. Freddie Jamieson & son of East Calder is 4th to 8th with Geordie Harris of Bonnybridge club in 9th 10th 11th 18th and 20th to 23rd open. Mr & Mrs Fleming of East Calder are 16th 17th & 19th open.
Balerno 139 birds; D Bald 1322.422, 1321.420, 1289.191, 1258.496
Bonnybridge 274 birds; G Harris 1264.856, 1264.344, 1262.642, 1250.185 Carnwath 106 birds; Thomson Bros 962.10, I Thomson 870.48, Thomson Bros 861.68, McArdle & Thomson 837.06
East Calder 157 birds; F Jamieson & Son 1274.392, 1273.280, 1273.058, 1273.283
West Calder 107 birds; J Bird 1214.185, 1212.466, 1211.323, 1209.612
Balerno Club news from Colin Bain who writes; ‘Hi Joe the club where at Stobs Camp 2 for our race on Tuesday 13th August with 5 members sending 149 birds, these were liberated at 11-45 hours. Douglas Bald has the first 4 pigeons his winner is a black hen on 1122 and his next bird is a blue cock also on the same velocity. His 3rd bird is a chequer cock on 1115 and his 4th is a dark chequer cock also on the same yardage; Sorry Joe no information on the birds but this is the best I can do for you Joe. The federation were at Otterburn on Saturday 17th August with 5 club members sending 139 birds these were liberated at 11-30 hours into a very strong south west wind. Douglas Bald takes the first 4 this week again with his darkness young birds 1st is a chequer pied hen doing a velocity of 1322. His 2nd bird is a dark chequer cock on 1321, the 3rd is a dark chequer cock and the 4th is a blue chequer cock on 1258, that’s all my news this week Joe best wishes yours Colin B’.
Central Federation
Broxburn & Uphall RPC
News from Bernie Britton who writes ‘Hi Joe, Broxburn & Uphall pigeon club result of the Appleby race flown on the 15th August, were 4 member’s sent 294 bird’s. They were liberated at 11-40 hours into a North West wind. 1st 2nd & 3rd club 1st 3rd & 4th federation is Gordon Mackenzie his winners are all Hermans Ceuster on the darkness system. The winner is a blue bar hen, the 2nd bird is a blue pied cock and the 3rd is also a blue bar cock. Gordon was also 5th 16th 17th federation with other member’s in fed being Pat Rafferty & sons 15th fed with John McNeill 20th and a special well done to Mark Doran who had 9 bird in the result wining 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th & 18th many thanks Joe yours Bernie.
Fife Federation
The Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies sent 1457 birds to Alnwick young bird race flown on 15th August with the convoy liberated at 09-00 hours. The east section birdage is as follows; Kennoway 155 birds, Leven 68 birds, St Andrews 156 birds, Tayport 29 birds and Methilhaven 237 birds. The federation top 10 and east section top 10 are as follows; Brian Chalmers of Kennoway is 1st 2nd 3rd 9th & 10th club mate Mook Honeyman in 4th spot another Kennoway fancier Tam Laing is 5th & 6th with Jim & Gary Peggie of Methilhaven in 7th spot followed by Page & son of Leven. Centre section club birds are as follows; Glenrothes & Leslie 81 birds, Novar 92 birds, the top 10 are as follows; Jock Grubb of Novar is 1st with Brian Kinnear of Glenrothes & Leslie winning 2nd 3rd 4th 7th & 8th Sean Diamond of Kennoway is 5th & 10th with Turpie & McCord of Glenrothes & Leslie club wining 6th section and Jocky King of Novar is 9th section. West section club birds are as follows; Crossgates 273 birds, Dunfermline 199 birds and Lochgelly 167 birds. Crossgates Alastair McCudden is 1st & 6th section with Willie Pratt of the same club in 2nd place. Wattie Forman of Novar is 3rd with Lochgelly member Harry Ireland in 4th place. Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club is 5th & 7th with J Hynd & son Ian of Crossgates club wining 8th 9th & 10th section.East of Scotland FederationNews from Tom McEwen who writes ‘Hi Joe the federation were at Sedgefield on the 17th August with the convoy liberated at 09-30am into a west to south west wind. Topping the federation and taking 3rd & 10th open are Tom, Scott and Marlene McEwen of Elphinstone.
Tom McEwen tops the East of Scotland federation The federation winner was 4th open fed last week and is from pure Paul Stobbs bloodlines. There again with a nice double taking the following positions of 2nd & 9th places is John Bird of Prestonpans. Always to the fore we have Jim McNeil of Tranent at 4th open. Tam Hunnam of Port Seton who has had a great start to the young bird season wins 5th & 6th open. Then once again we have Keith Howie of Prestonpans completing a great double winning 7th & 8th open.
Prestonpans HS is won by the McEwen partnership of father Tom, wife Marlene and son Scott. Their winner being a grandson of Paul Stobbs champion ‘The Gypsy’ their 3rd club is also a pure Paul Stobbs bloodlines being a granddaughter of ‘The Gypsy’. 2nd club is John Bird with a pure Vandenabeele purchased from Woodside Lofts. That’s it for another week Joe all the best to you and Kevin yours Tom.’ |
Traprain Homing Society
Result from John Baillie who writes ‘Hi Joe, we had 2 races flown this week, the first from Ridsdale. The birds were basketed (557 birds from 12 members) on Monday night for a race on Tuesday. The birds were liberated at 10-30 into a light west wind. Taking the first 3 positions are Sinclair Thomson and son Sinclair. Taking the 1st placed position is a grandson of their SNFC Clermont winner. In 2nd position is a son from their SHU Dewar Trophy winner and in 3rd place is a Marcel Aelbrecht from Taylor Bros stock. Returns were acceptable. We then basketed again on Friday for a Saturday race from Sedgefield. With 12 members sending 537 birds and John Parry cut the strings at 09-30 into a west to south west wind. The first of the birds romped home and winning this week we have Newcombe & Black. This bird is same way bred as his 13th open SNRPC Billericay, bred from Phil Bonds ‘Gribbles Choice’ when paired to the best of the late Dale Newcombe stock and Geoff & Catherine Cooper ‘Farmer George’ lines. In 2nd spot is the father and son Sinclair Thomson partnership with a son of their SNFC Maidstone winner when paired to one of their Silver Award winners. In 3rd place is Gus Kenny with his small team of youngsters. Returns were very mixed with not many birds working in after early afternoon. Thanks Joe, hopefully weather will settle down for the rest of the season yours John B’.
Sinclair Thomson and son take the first 3 birds in Traprain
Pentland Hills Federation
Joe,
The third young bird race of the season was flown from Sedgefield 105 to 115 miles to the members on Sat 17th August. Race controller Tony Young liberated at 09:30 in a W/S/W wind. Winning both organisations is Danderhall member & now ex novice Ant Walker, as this is the second time in 3 races he has won the Federation. His winner is a hen of Herman Ceuster origin. Sire & Dam are both G/Children of “Better than Bolt” but from 2 different sources. The sire is from Tam Blair Stirling and the Dam from Andrew Popley from Blueridge Lofts. From the Sedgefield young bird race flown on Saturday 17th August 14 clubs sent 3393 birds liberated at 09-30 hours into a west to south west win. Topping the federation is A Walker of Danderhall club with a velocity of 1447, club mate F Robertson takes the next 5 places with only 3 yard separating the birds. Brown & Black of Woodburn are 7th with Mr & Mrs Lindsay of Danderhall in 8th spot. D & J Allen of Woodburn club are 9th & 10th.
Club Winners are as follows;
Danderhall 965 birds; Walker 1447 F. Robertson 1446.7 F. Robertson 1446.2
Woodburn 148 birds; Brown & Black 1443 Allen 1422.8 Allen 1422.2
Castlebrae 132 birds; L. Mitchell 1409 A. Mitchell 1356 A. Mitchell 1347.4
Sighthill 240 birds; Summers 1390 Summers 1389 Keenan 1386
Edinburgh Premier 301 birds; Black 1354 McFarlane 1347 Dick 1344
Arniston 338 birds; Lawson 1331 Lothian J. Pryde
Easthouses 181 birds; Reilly 1326 Reilly 1307 Thomas 1272
Bonnyrigg 181 birds; Stark & Benson 1306 Watson 1282 Stark & Benson 1255 Edinburgh West 51 birds; Lamb 1299 Lamb 1274 Lamb 1261
Loanhead 66 birds; Murray 1270 Murray 1250 Murray 1216
Rosewell 79 birds; Cunningham & Ness 1185 W. Tytler 1175 Cunningham & Ness 1119
New Lothian 36 birds;
Peebles 34 birds;
Traprain 537 birds; Newcombe & Black 1428 Thomson 1419 Kenny 1415
Others 104
The federation breeder/buyer Sedgefield winner is A Young with a velocity of 1416 with 19P 8288 and he will receive the sum of £220.00.
New Lothian RPC
The second young bird race of the season was flown from Ridsdale on Tue 13th August, due to poor weather over the weekend. Race controller Tony Young liberated the 2286 birds entered by 59 lofts at 10:30 into a west wind. Winning both organisations is Edinburgh Premier champion Stuart Gilchrist who had a fantastic race at the back of the Fed, timing his Tappendale pigeons. His winner is flown on the darkness arriving with another eight birds to take a very commendable 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10. The winner was bred from a cock obtained from a mate of his in the Liverpool area of Van Loon origin, and the dam was another Tappendale from Andy Miller. K Dick of the same club is 7th with J McIvor of Danderhall taking 11th to 17th plus 19th open positions S Lapinski of Woodburn club is 19th place and P Hutton of Edinburgh Premier is 20th open. The federation breeder/buyer is won by S Gilchrist with 19P5844 doing a velocity of 1226 and wins the sum of £220.00. Well done Stuart on a very commendable performance. From the Sedgefield race 56 lofts sent 2281 birds. A Walker of Danderhall club is first winning £134 with club mate F Robertson taking the next 5 places winning £56. Brown & Black of Woodburn are 7th 17th 18th & 20th with Mr & Mrs Lindsay of Danderhall in 8th spot. D & J Allen of Woodburn club are 9th & 10th. A Young of Danderhall is 11th 12th 13th & 19th with J McIvor of Danderhall in 14th 15th & 16th open.
North of Scotland Federation
News from George Duthie who informs us that 54 members sent 1496 birds to Brechin (2) young bird’s race flown on 17th August with the convoy liberated into a light south west wind. The Peterhead & District dominate the result with the partnership of C & M Williams topping the east section who had 27 members sending 814 birds and they are 1st open, they are also 3rd 4th section and open. 2nd 5th & 6th section 2nd 5th & 6th open is R H Whyte also of Peterhead & District. Club mates Jim & Anne Donaldson ae 8th 9th & 10th section and open. George P Taylor is 11th section and open with Stuart Maskame winning 12th & 13th with A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District winning 14th 15th & 16th with Peterhead’s H McAllister wining the next 3 places up to 19th open and taking the top 20th & 21st places is G Findlay of the same Peterhead club. The west section had 27 members sending 682 birds 1st 3rd 4th section 37th 39th 40th open are Fulton & Ritchie loft 2 from Devern Valley club. A Wilson from the same club is 2nd 5th & 6th section winning 38th 41st & 42nd open. G Wilson of the same club is 7th west section 43rd open with Fulton & Ritchie Loft 1 winning 8th & 9th section 44th & 45th open. A Cruickshank of Keith is 10th west section 46th open.
Clubs First Bird as follows Peterhead & District winners C & M Williams; Fraserburgh & District winner A W Buchan; Fraserburgh West End winner R Higgins; Inverurie winner R McKenzie; Devern Valley winners Fulton & Ritchie Loft 2. Keith winner is A Cruickshank; Buckie & District winner G Russell; Elgin & District winner J Thomson. Well done to C & M Williams on topping the federation and also congratulations to Fulton & Ritchie loft 2 on winning the west section.
Joe’s Joke
A man is sitting next to a woman who is trying to breast feed her baby on a bus. The baby refuses to suck the breast and the woman warns ‘If you don’t suck, I will give it to the man sitting next to me’. The baby still refuses. After 20 minutes the mother repeats the ‘Threat’. The man clears his throat and says ‘Look hear woman, you had better make up your mind. I was supposed to get off this bus 6 stops ago’.
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 or
https://sites.google.com/site/internationalracingpigeon/
Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland
© Compiled by Joe Murphy
