Racing pigeon update

[nanila]

I thought the community might like to know the conclusion to the Saga of the Visiting Racing Pigeon in Worcestershire, UK.

Pigeon stayed with us and roosted on our roof for about a week, drinking from our pond and nibbling around the base of the seed feeder. We finally managed to read the full code on the ring around its leg, and phoned up the Racing Pigeon Society. They put us in touch with a very excitable gentleman from Norfolk who told us that Pigeon had been part of the Terrible Racing Pigeon Loss Event in Peterborough, during which thousands of birds mysteriously failed to return after being released for a race.

Said gentleman asked us to continue feeding Pigeon, and allowing it to roost, which of course we did. Two days ago, it vanished as abruptly as it had arrived.

Tonight, we received a phone call from the same gentleman. Pigeon has flown home! Apparently it arrived around the same time as another of his birds, which had ended up in Sussex, so he's hopeful of recovering at least some of his losses. He sounded delighted, and he thanked us for looking after Pigeon.

Comments

[cmcmck]

I remember that story and I'm so pleased that the guy has at least a couple of his birds back.

What did the kids make of all this?

[nanila]

Oh, they loved having a pigeon visitor! They tried to feed it from their hands. It got pretty close but it would never take seed directly from them, only from the ground near them. They were a little sad when it disappeared but are very pleased it found its way home.

[shirebound]

Oh my, what a wonderful thing! Hopefully a lot of the others will find their way home as well.

[nanila]

Fingers crossed! It seems hopeful that they will, although it may take a few weeks.

[weofodthignen]

Oh, poor pigeons! I'm glad it enjoyed its stay at your inn and found its way home.

[nanila]

We were a little worried it might decide to take up permanent residence, at which point we'd have had to transport it home. I'm glad we were able to feed it up and let it rest long enough to make the trek home (~200 miles!).

[kaberett]

What a fantastic update!

[nanila]

Very glad to be able to report such a happy ending!

[glinda]

Aww that’s great news! (My uncle used to keep homing pigeons so I’m particularly delighted that the pigeon made it back to it’s home roost!)

[nanila]

Yes! I'm so pleased to be able to report it.

[futurism]

What a lovely story and conclusion! It truly sounds like this pigeon just wanted to chill with you guys for a bit. Luckily it's now safe back at home!

[nanila]

It was a very pleasant guest - not at all demanding, made its own bed, etc. :D I'm glad it's home too, and it's welcome to return whenever it needs a mini-break.

[pensnest]

What a delightful little story. I'm so glad you got to hear that the pigeon made it home!

[nanila]

I am too, it was thoughtful of the owner to ring us and let us know. :)

[yourlibrarian]

Wow, what a tale! How sad about all the befuddled pigeons. I hope they too end up finding their way home.

[nanila]

The owner said he thought that a majority would eventually make it back, but it would take a few weeks. Hopefully the other pigeons found similarly comfortable waypoints.

[melannen]

Wow, the Mystery of the Disappearing Pigeons! And it's so cool you got to see one on its way.

[nanila]

It'll be interesting to find out if there was some sort of localised geomagnetic activity that temporarily discombobulated the pigeons!

[loligo]

Best wishes to all the pigeons, and thanks for a fascinating story!

[nanila]

I hope there's a happy follow-up story on the return of the pigeons in a few months!

[ranunculus]

I'm glad there are some mysteries left in the world (why?), and also glad that your pigeon made it home.

[nanila]

Geomagnetic activity might be the answer? But no one is sure. Anyway, we're honoured to have been Pigeon Inn for a bit, so it could recharge for the 200+ mile flight home.

[ranunculus]

I think I read about an experiment done in the last couple of years where they put tracking devices on pigeons and then proceeded to train them for a race. Training meant releasing the pigeons progressively further from their home base until they could fly the race course. What they found was that the pigeons were using landmarks. One group of pigeons even flew north for a ways, instead of south, at the beginning of their course so that they could find one of the big highways; then they turned south along the highway. They also used power lines, certain buildings, hills or valleys as guides. So training your homing pigeon is all about showing them the best routes. I thought it was fascinating. I am a big fan of the idea that animals are way smarter and more talented than we give them credit for. I suspect that they use multiple guides to get home.

[st_aurafina]

a very excitable gentleman from Norfolk who told us that Pigeon had been part of the Terrible Racing Pigeon Loss Event

Whaaaaat?? How exciting! I'm glad that Pigeon found his way home!

[nanila]

Yes, it was the Worst Event in Living Memory for a lot of pigeon racers, apparently!

[white_hart]

Oh, I'm so glad it got home!

[nanila]

Me too. I'm glad we were able to help it recharge its batteries for the journey. :)

[kotturinn]

Yay Pigeon and your family.

[nanila]

Clever Pigeon! We are proud. :)

[sparowe]

<3

[nanila]

♥ indeed! We'll always be a bit sentimental about this Pigeon, I reckon.

[silveradept]

That's a good ending to the tale, with the pigeon back home safely.

[nanila]

It is, and not one we would have expected - the owner wasn't obliged to ring us and tell us, and we're really pleased he did.

[cesy]

Awww, nice!

[nanila]

I like to think Pigeon is enjoying roosting with its friends and family again. :)

[dantesspirit]

They put us in touch with a very excitable gentleman from Norfolk who told us that Pigeon had been part of the Terrible Racing Pigeon Loss Event in Peterborough, during which thousands of birds mysteriously failed to return after being released for a race.

Oh wow. Hopefully they all make it home.

[nanila]

Pigeon's owner seemed to think a lot of them would, but it might take several weeks as they feed/rest up for their journeys. They were scattered far and wide.

[turlough]

I'm so glad to hear the pigeon made it home!

[nanila]

Me too! It was kind of the owner to ring us up and let us know. :)