The birds have gone through their treatment for respiratory infections and what a difference it's made. Last Sunday, when I let them out, 200 flew high and far and out of sight for an hour, 100 flew around the loft for an hour and 22 stayed on the roof and didn't fly at all. On day three of their treatment, 300 flew out of sight, 30 flew around the loft and 2 didn't leave the roof. On Wednesday, the 5th day of treatment, every bird flew and left the area for more than an hour and returned in small groups, circling until the majority came back. Yesterday, Thursday, we took the birds 43 KM, released them in one group and they returned home in one flock. All except one who went fishing. Upon arrival, one bird dropped down and went in. The rest saw the hawk and veered right and went back into the sky to fly for another half hour. The last 10 birds in the clock, before the late comer arrived, flew 1 hour longer than all the other birds.
All is well again.
Today we'll go 43 KM again and on Sunday, 120 KM.
Rick
Late evening, I take the time to check the birds. With all of them on perches, I find it easier and quicker then chasing them around the floor during the day. I remove those with obvious bangs and bruises and handle those that aren't alert. I noticed that there were a few with wattles that were changing colours and then I heard a snork. I found the bird and after handling the ones with wattles that were darker, I have decided to stop training and treat the birds for respiratory infection. If six have it, others will surely follow and it would be irresponsible of me to continue on with the schedule. A week or so of treatment and then we will move forward. With this hot and humid summer that we are having it's no wonder the birds are a bit off. I find myself short of breath at times and in the morning your shorts stick to you before you even get them on.
I'll let you know how the birds respond to treatment.
If by "training toss" we mean we let the birds go, they home as quickly as possible and then go into the loft without hesitation, than this toss was a complete failure.
They left the site as planned, small groups a bit apart. This time my youngbird team was separated out and they were released 15 minutes earlier. They arrived, landed, looked around for all their friends and decided to sit on the roof until the rest were home. The rest arrived in groups but continued to fly until the majority were here. When a couple dropped to go in, another two hundred decided to join them. The rest stayed out to fly some more and as of this minute, 12:20, the loft has emptied out and they are scooting about like young kids on skateboards.
Sunday we go to Bancroft, 115 KM, to prepare for the first race at the end of next week.
Yesterday's flight was a great workout for the birds. The wind was gusty and they had to fly across it to reach home and into it if they overflew. The first group of thirty or so came on the right path and landed witout circling. It was a few moments before small groups came along the same way. We then had a break with just a few landing on their own when all of a sudden, the area around us erupted with pigeons. They were flying very low, fighting the wind, coming from too far north and too far west to be on time. More than half the flock made that mistake yesterday. Didn't pay enough attention during "coming home....101". Only a couple from the last toss didn't make it home on the day.
Today is rain day. The birds will have a shower, splash around a bit in puddles and watch a bit of TV in the afternoon. Friday, another toss.
The birds were taken to our 100 KM stop for a 10:15 AM release. The sky was overcast with the wind from the south. No heat to worry about yet, The first bird in the clock needs a day off, bumped and scuffed his chest. This is their first release of all the birds ar once.
Good Luck, Rick'
Rain this morning, no birds then rain stops and lots of birds. Makes you wonder how close they were last night. Open loft today, rest and relaxation and a bath. Back on the road tomorrow.
On Sunday, the birds had an excellent toss. It wasn't too hard on them yet they had to work for their supper. Todays' toss was a bit different. We were a bit late with traffic and detours and such so they were up a bit later then what we like. Our area has a fair number of flyers that use our air space for their training tosses so an early start is really not the best thing.
The birds were released in an overcast sky but at home was plenty of sunshine. The wind was off the lake, had increased in strength and was on their shoulder pushing them north and west. The first group arrived from the right direction, circled and came in. The second was close behind and trapped faster. The third was way north and had to fly back into the wind. The fourth group and last missed the loft and have spent the afternoon making their way home from the west. You would think following the guy ahead of you would be easy. Doesn't seem to be at all. Hope they all make it home before dark.
The birds were taken by Linda to our 50 KM release point. They left the trailer and flew towards home without any hesitation. At the loft, I prepared the food and water. I set my computor up, positioned my favourite lawnchair at just the right angle and popped open my favourite beverage. At the time I thought they should be home, they appeared.
Like everyone today, I check my phone for arrival time. Two minutes in and no results so I moved my butt as quikly as I could into the loft. I had forgotten to set the clock. I quickly closed the trap, set the clock and walked those inside back out. By now the herd was flying a ight circle around the loft and in they came. Not so those I chased out. Two punished me by kicking over my beer and the rest now refuse to come inside.
Hopefully they'll forgive me soon and we'll see who made the journey home.
I'll do better next time.
Linda released the birds 43 KM from the loft. They left promptly in 5 groups and arrived as such. The were not too quick to come down and waited untill a large number were here before dropping onto the landing board. As always, there are those who stay out to pick in the grass and generally get my goat. There are less each week and as we step out, they'll start to toe the line. Next stop is 50 or so KM and then several quick jumps to prepare for the races coming up soon.
The birds were released into overcast skies with no wind to speak of. They were released in 6 groups 5 minutes apart. They arrived home in six groups and all came from the right direction. Seems when all is calm they can think. They arrived home where a little drizzle was falling. They continued to fly until al groups were home. Not many birds went in as they landed. A large number are on the lawn enjoying the relief from yesterdays heat and the bugs moving in the grass from todays shower.
