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Anyone lost this? On my backstep if it's yours!

512 replies

SassynSane · 05/06/2017 18:20

So. Just come in through my back gate to find this on my doorstep....anyone missing a pigeon? Not your average bird, well looked after, has got ring etc but bloody thing won't let me get close enough to get details.

It's currently attacking my pots in hope of food. Am assuming due to high winds been blown off course and is knackered. I have chucked some food out on back step (randomly had some milled linseed in...once a Girl Guide, always a Girl Guide Grin) and shut in Sassycat (cos that wouldn't end well...I'd be hoovering up feathers for weeks!!!)...

So...anyone think they've lost something today? Or have suggestions of what I could do with it? Confused

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caz323 · 06/06/2017 11:50

Awww...Gaz on his perch! Well done! Smile

SassynSane · 06/06/2017 11:52

Shhhh....totally ruining my street cred!

I might have a habit of collecting broken things that need fixing! My exes prove the theory Grin Right...Gaz needs food...so off on a seed mission!

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SoupDragon · 06/06/2017 12:12

Gaz needs a coop. Best pop to B&Q for building supplies...

whojamaflip · 06/06/2017 12:24

We had a racing pigeon walk into the house about 3 years ago after a huge storm - imputed the details into the website and her very relieved owner drove 3 hours from up north to fetch her! She was apparently doing her first international flight and had been released in France Shock she made it as far as the Cotswolds before she fell foul of the wind and rain. Her owner gave us a lovely bottle of champagne to say thank you - apparently due to her breeding she was worth over £2000!!!! For a pigeon!!!!

Hope you make contact with Gazs owners soon

previouslyanumber · 06/06/2017 13:16

Often the owner will not want the bird back, it may be in training and has 'failed' so is no use as a racer and although they are obliged to collect or arrange collection via a carrier they do not always bother.

Many birds are drowned or have their necks broken because they are not good enough to win races. If you release him/her and he is late returning home it might not work out well for him.

There will be a number on the ring that corresponds to the year he was born, if it is last year he is probably in training and is not an adult yet, will probably not be wanted.

Ensure that the owner is prepared to sign him over to you and get him to a rescue. If you are on Facebook there are groups for pigeon rescue. If you need more info please PM.

SassynSane · 06/06/2017 13:22

Well that turned into more of a mission than planned! No bird food at local shop or local vets (though did buy copy of The Sun to put down for clean bedding for Gaz...knowing that will be soaking up his pidge poo has made me Smile)....so 30 min round trip later (!!) Gaz is now tucking happily into proper pigeon food courtesy of proper pet shop! Have also moved him off his bench with a view back to more sheltered site as it has just started to lash it down!

Whojama would love champagne but knowing my luck that's unlikely Grin

Soup don't put ideas like that in my head! It's day off today and s'posed to have got loads done, instead have been running around after a pidge half the day! Arrgghhh!

Right...not heard from owner so am going to call them now...

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SassynSane · 06/06/2017 13:24

Thanks previously...Ring no. is 15 so he's couple of years old now. Will ring and see what they have to say. Don't want him killed after all this! Shock

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ShelaghTurner · 06/06/2017 13:30

Why am I reading this? I don't even like fecking pigeons! Grin

previouslyanumber · 06/06/2017 13:33

Bird seed is not easy to find in vets or pet shops, best places are garden centres and supermarkets. They love peanuts, unsalted and raw of course, and sunflower hearts in small amounts. Lentils, split peas, frozen defrosted peas as well as rice.
Water needs to be in a bowl about 2" deep. He might try to take a bath in it too.

HerRoyalFattyness · 06/06/2017 13:38

Is it bad that part of me wants the owners to ignore you so you can keep gaz?

ItsNachoCheese · 06/06/2017 13:41

sassy why have i just found out about flash gaz? Grin

WetsTheFinger · 06/06/2017 13:45

Let him rest and then he will fly off when ready

WetsTheFinger · 06/06/2017 13:47

Oops sorry hadn't read full thread

SassynSane · 06/06/2017 13:50

Ok Gaz-update...

He is a She! We're an all female household here so that suits us fine! She doesn't have a name but is known as a "blue-checker" because of her coloration. Owner was v grateful for my call and I now have his full contact details. He is by the Olympic Park so fair way away!

Anyway Gaz...going to change that to Gazzie!....was racing home on Saturday from Newark (in SW so she's seriously off course) & of his 18 birds released she's the only one not come back. He won the race so clearly knows his racing pigeons (damn...should have asked for a tip!)... Anyway he's said as she's not injured to let her rest and if it's nice tomorrow to release her, or if anyone is heading towards London to take her with them and let her go so she's closer to home...I am going there but not for another 3 weeks...so...do I release or do I see if I can find someone who can give Gazzie a lift towards home?

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SoupDragon · 06/06/2017 14:07

I did wonder if he was a she but assumed he because he clearly hadn't stopped to ask for directions Wink

Perhaps there could be a MN Gazzie relay where she's passed from car to car until she reaches London.

I hope the owner is now going to call her Gazzie rather than judging her on her appearance...

SassynSane · 06/06/2017 14:11

Love it Soup Grin I might have impressed upon the owner that DGazzie is now an internet star and I might have mentioned that lots of people are rooting for her so she best not have her neck wrung or anything! I might have whispered something about crossing the MN Mafia....BlushWink

A DGazzie relay...complete with photo diary???

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SoupDragon · 06/06/2017 14:13

Hopefully more successful than Pom the MN class bear!

MyNameIsntTaken · 06/06/2017 14:13

Yes! We need a Gazzie relay with photo diary. Come on mn, make this happen!

offblackeggshell · 06/06/2017 14:16

I'm having a crappy day, and reading this update has cheered me up no end! Go Gazzie.

SassynSane · 06/06/2017 14:24

DGazzie is pleased to have cheered you up eggshell....

Ok...well just checking if anyone in RL is heading east anytime soon otherwise a MN relay complete with handover pics would be immense! And DD and I would love to know she gets home safe

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HerRoyalFattyness · 06/06/2017 14:31

A mn relay would be amazing! Please please make it happen!

BringMeTea · 06/06/2017 14:36

This is SO much better than Springwatch. Well done Sassy. Star

SassynSane · 06/06/2017 14:43

Thanks Bring Smile Ok...we could make this happen...we could PM car reg plates so we know who is in the relay and time and location for handovers etc and we could get her either all the way home or as close as possible before releasing her...or maybe am overthinking and I just need to let her go tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed!

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HappydaysArehere · 06/06/2017 14:44

He probably just needs a good rest and has been battling the wind. We once had a homing pigeon on our window sill and all he needed was a rest and a little food. Just keep the cat in and I bet he will be gone in awhile.

Ruhrpott · 06/06/2017 14:51

Or just keep her 🐦