RACING PIGEONS – IMPACT OF RAPTOR PREDATION

novel area of investigation was identified involving an innovative method of
exposing raptors to a chemical repellent in the form of an aerosol in the loft area.
1.6 FIELD TRIALS OF RACE DETERRENTS
• The effect of wing transfers and sequins on the return rates of racing pigeon from
races was investigated in six old bird races and four young bird races. A total of
140 old birds from four different lofts and 281 young birds from eight lofts were
used in the trials (the same birds flew in more than one race). Total numbers of
birds used in each race ranged from 17 to 114 for old birds (total birdage over six
races was 453) and 55 to 183 for young birds (total birdage over four races was
430). The distances raced were 35 to 65 miles and 65 to 105 miles for old and
young birds respectively.
• There was no significant difference in the return rates of either old birds or young
birds from the three experimental groups. That is, the level of losses was
unaffected by the use of wing transfers and sequins.
• There were a number of differences in return rates between categories of birds that
were unrelated to deterrents. First, old birds had higher return rates than young
birds. Second, there were highly significant differences in the return rates of
young birds between lofts. Third, there were highly significant differences in the
return rates of young birds between races. Finally, for old birds the variation
between lofts in the return rate approached significance. These latter differences
may reflect variation in the quality of birds and in the rearing and training
practices between lofts.
1.7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• The study has highlighted the very complex nature of the interactions between
racing pigeons and peregrines and sparrowhawks. The many gaps in knowledge
that currently exist severely constrain the ability to derive reliable estimates of the
impacts of these raptors on Scottish racing pigeons.
• Overall reported losses (from all causes) from lofts represented, on average, 56%
of the loft population at the start of the racing season. Examining the
circumstances of losses, mean losses of birds from a) the loft area, b) during
training and c) during races were 8 (8%), 18 (16%) and 44 (35%) respectively.
There are, however, concerns over the accuracy of the reported loft losses due to a
number of anomalies in the data supplied by some loft-owners. Clearly, any
problems in the accurate recording of losses from lofts has critical implications
with respect to confounding the evaluation of the impact of raptors. It is
reasonable to assume that previous studies may also have been subject to
inaccuracies in the recording of losses, and previous results should also be
considered with this in mind.
• The mean loft population (OB+YB) in the study lofts was 122 birds. This
however, is probably larger than for Scotland as a whole, for which 82 birds per
loft (Shawyer et al. 2000) is probably more representative. Therefore, with 4,151
SHU lofts the Scottish population of racing pigeons will be around 340,382 birds.
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