Strange bird drops in on Cyril

Last updated 19:49, Thursday, 07 August 2008

DERWENT Valley Federation secretary Cyril Ostle is trying to solve the mystery of a lodger at his Flimby loft.

A young pigeon dropped in with his own birds this week -nothing unusual in that, strays go into other lofts all the time.

But it was when Cyril examined the pigeon that he had to start scratching his head and then phoned the Royal Pigeon Racing Association head-office in Cheltenham.

The stranger was smaller than the normal-sized racing pigeon but it was the identity ring which had him baffled - 2008 CU MTN Pacific 1710.

It also carried an ETS ring on the other leg, suggesting it was a racing bird.

Ostle said: “I couldn’t find that registration in any of my books but the RPRA rang me back to say they had established the ring was from Ontario, Canada.

“It would be absolutely amazing if the bird had flown from Canada. We don’t think that will be possible but someone may have bought some Canadian rings on the internet and used them for their own pigeons.

“I’m just so interested to find out exactly where the bird has come from.”

Ostle isn’t giving any clues as to the colours so that any hoax claims can be discounted.

Derwent Valley Federation fanciers raced from Leyland on Saturday and returns were pretty good.

The birds were liberated at 12noon for the 70-miler and the winners were back in Harrington just before 1.34pm.

This weekend the Federation birds are at Appleton, the first of two races from the Cheshire race-point which is around 100 miles.

Seaton (7 sent 192, race sponsored by Metropolitan Racing): 1, Mr and Mrs Dustin 1382.

Netherton (13 sent 327): 1, Graham and daughters 1374.

Flimby HS (10 sent 316): 1, Nelson and Crellin 1351.

Harrington Central (10 sent 330): 1, N and G Wordsworth 1356.7.

Flimby West Coast (5 sent 124): 1, J and D Hine and grandson 1350.

Dearham (4 sent 81): 1, Harker and Berwick 1334.

Workington Victoria (16 sent 414): 1, J Walters and son 1382.