Last weeks race from Blaydon incorporating the Yearling Derby had a turnout of 631 birds which 216 were Yearlings a combination of a Thursday marking increase in birdage some hot weather in the forecast all lead to a rather lower than expected turn out.
As to the race itself pickups went fine and the birds arrived on site early Friday afternoon where they were fed and watered ready for an early lib Saturday, I do find people frown on an extra night in the basket but I think in to days racing where we seldom go over 170 miles, basketing days change for bad weather so less chance of a hold over our birds have little experience of being fed on the transporters then of they go to Scotland marking Thursday \ Wednesday with the chance of a 1 or 2 day holdover is not surprising some birds suffer.
The weather at Blaydon was much cooler than here and the birds were away at 6.00 in to a light west wind at the home end it was very warm and for what ever reason returns were very erratic to say the least with many empty perches at night fall. David Anderson has the top bird at Horsford and wins the yearling Derby plus £50 also vel 1289 Joel Spurdens at Kessingland has the next 3 1262,258,1258 two of these being yearling so clears up the next 2 positions £30 £20 club mate Les Horne is close behind on 1240,1232 and Michael Webb 1231 Ross Lark is a clear winner at Ness Point 1226 K Nixon & Son are top at Norfolk Inv 1221 and the ever present Roger Dawbarn wins Diss 1208 13th place goes to Franni Peruzzi who wins the Old Bird loft K.O.
I have still got some pools to sort out this result will follow on later
Just a couple of points I have found our numbers in crates has got a little out of hand of late this will need to be rectified before we fly young birds, I understand about the heat etc and if we reduce we will all be together but example a club sends 40 pigeons 20 cock 20 hens so they send 4 crates with 10 in each this is not fair to those who are putting 16/18 They should be 16/18 + 2 or 4 these can be topped up much easier and only disturb 1 crate. I have also notice 1 or 2 crates with out the top lid tied correctly
A club rule was past last year if temperature over 30 degrees with young birds the race will be cancelled please bare this in mind and don’t be surprised when it happens