The Wanderer returns with broken wing.
I am always looking for something different to write about, I like most other fanciers who have my own idea as to what I want to do or write about. Every now and again a gem crops up and this story is all about such a gem, in fact a SUPERSTAR of the pigeon world. A once in a lifetime racing pigeon that has more than its share of determination and one who will no doubt be going into the stock loft. Some may remember a few years ago I wrote a story over a few issues of the BHW about a pigeon's journey home, I could relate that to this story about a pigeon who for now I am going to call "DETERMINATION" because that was what he needed to get home under the condition he was in at the time. This is a once in a lifetime pigeon, one that any fancier would like to see in their loft, especially the long-distance-minded fanciers. We all enter races and when a fancied pigeon does not come home, we wonder where it has gone, we seldom find out. None of us are going to have 100% returns week after week, if you think it will happen then you are in a world of fantasy because it doesn't happen in the real world. We are all aware that once they are up in the air, they are not yours until they return to the loft. So, what am I talking about, well it's a very game pigeon that belongs to Mr. & Mrs. Nigel Shaw from Shavington who regular senders to the National channel races are which is where "DETERMINATION" went missing. We now have lots of photos and information on this game racer that we now know was named “Bou Bou” while on holiday. I could re-wright the story, but I think that would take away the love and attention given to the pigeon. So that you get the gist of the story this is what Nigel had to say.
Hi Les the pigeon was my first pigeon at Fougeres NFC where he was 54th open he was sent back to Nort sur Ede just under 400miles where he got reported at Rennes 340 miles from me he had broken his wing he stayed there living the dream in the sun getting fed regular by some lovely caring people until he found enough strength to take the journey home. He was last seen there at 5pm Saturday in France. Myself & Wendy were sat outside enjoying the evening it was just starting to go dark when at 8-20pm on the following Monday a pigeon hit the board with his wing down I knew it was him straight away I went over let him in and had to lift him into his box where he was crowing away feeling happy to be home he’s a direct son of my pau hen “Lillie” that was 20th open pau 681mile as a yearling then 2nd open Tarbes at 691 mile he’s now joining his brothers in the stock pen. Nigel received an email about the pigeon concerned and duly replied.
Hi. Where abouts do you live please and is the pigeon contained. Nigel.
Hello. I live in Rennes, Brittany (France) and no, the pigeon is not confined it, I believe it is your pigeon. Its wing is injured, and it's on the ground almost all the time, but it managed to fly away when I tried to catch it. Also, I have a cat (that doesn't go outside) that would probably give it a heart attack. It comes every evening since I started feeding it. I sent an email to a local association and am waiting for their response. The pigeon only comes occasionally, for food. I don't know where it is the rest of the time. So, catching it could be a bit tricky.
Hi. Thank you for taking care of my pigeon.
Hi, you’re welcome. I love all animals, especially cats and birds. I'm not the only one who took care of him. Other people were feeding him in the neighboring building; there were bowls on the floor next to him. I don't know who, there was even a complaint at the end of July from the cleaning staff of this building, asking us to stop feeding the bird because there were too many droppings. I was constantly afraid that someone would hurt him. It’s good for you if you were able to see the photos, I spent a lot of time watching him. I was on vacation at home (back to work today). On Saturday the 24th, while he was eating and drinking on my terrace, I told my daughter that I had never filmed him and that next time I would. But there was no next time. By the way, does he have a name. Since Tuesday, it's been raining very regularly here, every day. Before that, it was beautiful summer weather. Do you think the pigeon is capable of detecting that it was going to rain so much? He left just before the bad weather arrived, so I wonder if it's a coincidence. I hope the little one is fine. Regards.
Hi. He was racing from Nort sur erdre just under 400 miles to me when he left you he made the journey on his own 344 miles to me, considering he’d flown it with a healed broken wing is quite remarkable he will join his brothers in the stock loft as he is out of our best hen I’ve added a picture of the route he would of taken plus a picture of his mother many thanks for caring for him. Nigel.
Hi I'm Anne-Line, Olivier's partner. Please excuse my poor English. What great news for him and for you! I wanted to thank you very much for letting us know, because since the end of June we've become attached to him. I would have been very worried not to see him anymore. He used to perch on the balconies of a neighboring building and came to see us almost every day. We live in Rennes, Brittany, in a house with a small garden. At first, he slept a lot on our terrace, he could stay there for several hours. He flew little and it seemed difficult for him. Over time he became more active. We fed him a mix of turtledove seeds, and he especially loves sunflower seeds. He ran towards me when he saw me coming with the bag of seeds! He's very gentle and intelligent, he used to eat the seeds from our hands and drink water from the bottle. In recent days he's been flying more, coming to see us several times a day instead of just once, and perching higher on neighboring buildings. I've sometimes seen him circling in the sky since August 12th. We last saw him on Saturday around 5 p.m. He was at our house on the terrace. I said goodbye to him when I was going shopping with my daughter, and I haven't seen him since. I know this is normal and routine for you, but for me he's a great champion to have found his way back and made all this journey in such a short time. Two months ago, he could barely fly. Today his wing is still hanging. I'm proud of what he accomplished. He must have been very bored here because there are no domestic or rock pigeons in my neighborhood. Just a few wood pigeons sometimes. He was alone. I talked to him a lot when he was here. Can you tell me where and when you released him? Was it here in Brittany? I'm going to send you some photos. But today is my daughter's birthday, I don't have much time! "Mon Boubou" as I called him was our little protégé for 2 months. I always looked up to see him on the neighboring buildings and waited for him to come and see us. I was afraid something could happen to him, a cat or a malicious person. He's so endearing, I miss him already. Regards.
Hi His name will stay as “Bou Bou” now with you calling him that, no he wouldn’t of detected that I don’t think he obviously never stopped thinking of home for him to make the journey like he did and obviously you fed him right to give him enough energy to go for home he’s in good hands now enjoying life with his hen. Nigel. Hi. I hope the little one is fine. Thanks, and best regards.
Les J Parkinson. 15 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ.
Tel: 01606 836036. Mob: +44 (0)7871 701585.
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Web site: http://www.elimarpigeons.com
