It's been a bit of time since my last entry on our message page. It isn't because I've become a slacker. In fact, I now have to work from sun up to sun down.
Our 2022 racing season has ended and so has our running of the Salem Special. Last year we bought a house on the island of Grand Manan, New Brunswick thinking we would stay in Ontario for the summer to run the race. It didn't work out as planned. A year older has made me ten years slower and being a Gypsy and living in a fifth-wheel just isn't for us. Our two dogs think the pickup is where they live and frankly, I feel the same way.
We have sold our one loft building and all that goes with it plus our trailer. We are moving the complete operation 40 Kilometers from our spot in November. A new race will happen. We have packed up all that's ours and arrived in Grand Manan at the beginning of last week. During the day I am building a loft for my stockbirds and at night we send out checks, diplomas and medals. Your package will be coming soon.
We have been asked if we will do another one loft race from the island and our plan is a positive maybe. I will build a racing loft in the spring and breed a round of birds to train to race over the water. Depending how successful we are will determine whether we run a one loft race or not. You'll see how my efforts turn out on Wincompanion.
In the seven years we have been involved with running a one loft race, we have met an incredible number of people who we will never forget. We have also met a few that I've already forgotten. We truly hope to continue on meeting more of the first and none of the latter.
I will be in Ontario for at least a month starting the second week of November. Any birds back at our loft will be shipped to you then. John is looking after my stockbirds at the one loft and lets the late comers in when they arrive.
Rick
We were unable to connect to the network this afternoon. We will do inventory tomorrow instead. Some birds have already been picked up and the rest are ready to go.
Average speed winners for 2022.
Short Average Speed
1. Jim and Silvio AU 22 VITA 4921 1061.415 MPM $ 1000.00
2. Bernie and Dan CU 22 CU 0313 1057.031 MPM $ 600.00
3. PigeonEmpire.com Guido Madrusan CU 22 CU 7730 1050.756 MPM $ 300.00
4. El Dorado Lofts Canada CU 22 ELDO 22028 1048.468 MPM $ 150.00
5, Weekends at Bernie,s CU 22 CU 2072 1047.500 MPM $ 150.00
6. Olfert Lofts CU 22 WPG 22414 1047.096 MPM $ 150.00
7. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12195 1043.534 MPM $ 150.00
8. Les Deux Suzannes CU 22 SUMC 0226 1042.837 MPM $ 150.00
9. Jules Hou CU 22 MP 22534 1040.226 MPM $ 150.00
Long Average Speed
1. Elfis Girls CU 22 CU 5938 1205.954 MPM $ 1000.00
2. Cruz and Vasco CU 22 CU 4075 1189.266 MPM $ 600.00
3. Les Deux Suzannes CU 22 CU 2125 1177.578 MPM $ 300.00
4. Philippians Sivio CU 22 CU 16531 1172.864 MPM $ 150.00
5. Buffalo Willies AU 22 BRPC 4541 1171.242 MPM $ 150.00
6. PigeonEmpire.com Guido Madrusan CU 22 CU 7744 1170.701 MPM $ 150.00
7. Sumac Loft CU 22 SUMC 0241 1165.033 MPM $ 150.00
8. Chickady CU 22 CU 6861 11 52.090 MPM $ 150.00
9. Oak Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12193 1150.774 MPM $ 150.00
Overall Average Speed
1. Chickady CU 22 CU 6861 1109.197 MPM $ 1800.00
2. Neromi Army CU 22 CU 6829 1092.379 MPM $ 1200.00
3. Les Deux Suzannes CU 22 CU 2125 1087.491 MPM $ 1000.00
4. Sumac Lofts CU 22 SUMC 0241 1075.024 MPM $ 800.00
5. Weekend at Bernie's CU 22 WPG 22031 1069.440 MPM $ 600.00
6. Jack Fire Loft 15 CU 22 CU 2098 1046.598 MPM $ 500.00
7. Russel Spring CU 22 CU 10990 1037.960 MPM $ 500.00
8. Teixeira Loft CU 22 CU 0813 1016.183 MPM $ 500.00
9. Philippians De Guzman CU 22 CU 16535 990.449 MPM $ 500.00
10. Griffen Pigeons CU 22 CU 13292 990.449 MPM $ 500.00
11. Joe Splinter CU 22 CU 14802 988.789 MPM $ 400.00
12. PigeonEmpire.com Guido Madrusan CU 22 CU 7744 987.613 MPM $ 400.00
13. Andre Gomes CU 22 CP 22421 985.109 MPM $ 400.00
14. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12194 965.656 MPM $ 400.00
15. Rick Fyfe CU 22 NRRP 0115 962.690 MPM $ 300.00
Two Bird Average Speed { Corrected }
1. PigeonEmpire.comGuido Madrusan Team 2 CU 7744 and CU 7738
1080.067 and 1008.379 for a combined average of 1044.223 MPM $ 2000.00
2. Clay Haven Farms Team 1 AU 22 AA 12194 and AU 22 AA 12192
1056.055 and 992.351 for a combined average of 1024.203 MPM $ 400.00
3. Helder Claro Team 1 CU 22 CU 2919 and CU 22 CU 2918
1005.127 and 960.529 for a combined average of 982.828 MPM $ 400.00
4. Dogwood Prevalant Mountain Syndicate Team 1 CU 22 PL 0215/CU 22 PL 0216
930.307 and 917. 408 for a combined average of 923.858 MPM $ 400.00
5. Pigeon empire.Com Guido Madrusan Team 2 CU 22 7735 and CU 22 7741
850.026 and 845.070 for a combined average of 847.548 MPM $ 400.00
6. 1CR Team 1 CU 22 CU 1659 and CU 22 CU 1669
875.315 and 802.328 for a combined average of 838.822 MPM $ 400.00
7. Cliff and Pete Team 1 CU 22 CU 10205 and CU 22 CU 10203
827.505 and 786.877 for a combined average of 807.191 MPM $ 400.00
Congratulations to the average speed winners.
One hundred and twenty three birds were released just over 650 KM from the loft at 8 AM Monday morning. The sky was bright, hardly a breeze was blowing and only the tiniest bit of cloud could be seen floating by. The temperature was 4 C. The bids left quickly heading straight south, strung out in a wide front. On the way home they encountered a stiff side wind for 200 KM and then a slight head wind the rest of the way.
The first group home were 4 on the drop flying flying 1188 MPM. There was a previously lost bird waiting for them on the roof who thought he would get in on the band wagon, but he didn't. It wasn't long to wait for 6 more to drop followed by another drop of 10. There were 38 home on the day and 70 birds home in race time. We'll do inventory at the end of the week to see who made it home.
Congatulation to the money winners and all the birds back in time.
1. Gold Star Loft Canada CU 22 CU 13021 BB $ 3200.00
2. Les Deux Suzannes CU 22 CU 2125 BB $ 1600.00
3. Jack's Fire Loft CU 22 CU 10373 BB $ 1200.00
4. Olfert Loft CU 22 WPG 22412 BWF $ 800.00
5. Elfis Girls CU 22 CU 5938 BB $ 600.00
6. 1CR Loft CU 22 CU 1652 BC $ 600.00
7. Cruz and Vasco CU 22 CU 4075 BC $ 600.00
8. Griffen Pigeons CU 22 CU 13292 BB $ 600.00
9. Lucky 7 CU 22 CU 2115 Red $ 400.00
10. 1CR Loft CU 22 CU 1669 BB $ 400.00
11. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12199 BB $ 200.00
12. Rick Fyfe CU 22 NRRP 0115 BB $ 200.00
13. Teixeira Loft CU 22 CU 0813 BB $ 200.00
14. Weekend at Bernie's CU 22 WPG 22031 BCWF $ 200.00
15. Philipians Silvio CU 22 CU 16531 BCWF $ 200.00
16. Chickady CU 22 CU 6861 BB $ 200.00
17. Neromi Army CU 22 CU 6907 BC $ 200.00
18. Buffalo Willies AU 22 BRPC 4541 BB $ 200.00
19. Pigeonempire.com Guido Madrusan CU 22 CU 7744 BWF $ 200.00
20. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12193 BB $ 200.00
Again, congratulations to all. It wasn't a walk in the park and I am proud of the birds that homed.
We are working on completing the averages with Terry at Wincompanion and hope to publish the completed report shortly.
The birds are flying around the loft with extra energy that I am happy to tap into. They flew for 2 hours Monday morning, 1:45 0n Tuesday morning plus 2 hours on Wednesday. Every afternoon they have open loft and most get an extra hour in at that time. This morning they are 43 KM from home. Tomorrow they will be 70 KM from home. On Sunday I will take them to Smoothrock Falls for the Salem Special 650 KM which will be held on Monday, October 2. It wll be a tough race with 8 KM headwinds all the way home. Your welcome to come and watch, just let us know. There are no facilities, just trees to hide behind.
PS They late comers are in perty good shape. They are flying with the flock, no fence sitters, and they are training with the gang. Also, check the average speed to see where you stand.
It was picture perfect!!!!
The birds were released in La Sarre Quebec at 7:45 AM The sky was bright and clear. There were two other trailers that also released at about the same time. One in La Sarre and the other about 40 KM east. Our birds minded their own business and came straight home. Seven hours of sweaty palms and upset stomach all for naught.
The first birds arrived well before I expected them and right in the middle of my efforts at barbacuing. Eleven on the first drop with ten more just behind them. A third group showed up quickly after that and the rest just kept a coming. We had 97 on the day and 7 more on the very nasty and wet morning after. Three strays also came to us and they trapped as fast as our own.
Congratulations to all that came home and especially to those that are money winners.
1. Elfis Girls CU 22 CU 5938 BB $ 6000.00
2. Olfert Loft CU 22 WPG 22412 BWF $ 2800.00
3. Teixeira Loft CU 22 CU 0813 BB $ 1600.00
4. Rick Fyfe CU 22 NRRP 0115 BB $ 1200.00
5. Big Andy AU 22 BIGA 0037 BB $ 1000.00
6. Pigeonempire.Com Guido Madrusan CU 22 CU 7744 BWF $ 600.00
7. Wayne Lochbaum CU 22 NR 3269 BC $ 600.00
8. Flying K9'S AU 22 F9S 0783 BPD $ 600.00
9. Buffalo Willies AU 22 BRPC 4541 BWF $ 600.00
10. Light Angels CU 22 CU 2004 BB $ 600.00
11. Neromi Army CU 22 CU 6907 BC $ 400.00
12. Philippians-Sivio CU 22 CU 16531 BCWF $ 400.00
13. Elfis Girls CU 22 CU 5940 BWF $ 400.00
14. Pigeonempire.Com Guido Madrusan CU 22 CU 7746 BB $ 400.00
15. Les Deux Suzannes CU 22 CU 2125 BB $ 400.00
16. Philipians-De Guzman CU 22 CU 16535 BB $ 400.00
17. Sumac Loft CU 22 SUMC 0240 BPD $ 400.00
18. Elfis Girls CU 22 CU 5933 BB $ 400.00
19. Dogwood Prevelant Mountain Syndicate CU 22 PL 0215 BB $ 400.00
20. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12194 BB $ 400.00
21. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12200 BB $ 400.00
22. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12199 BB $ 400.00
23. Pigeonempire.Com Guido Madrusan CU 22 CU 7735 BB $ 400.00
24. Pigeonempire.Com Guido Madrusan CU 22 CU 7738 BC $ 400.00
25.Furlano & Rotiroti CU 22 CU 11221 BB $ 400.00
26. Chickady CU 22 CU 6861 BB $ 400.00
27. Sumac Loft CU 22 SUMC 0241 BC $ 400.00
28. Neromi Army CU 22 CU 6829 CHOC $ 400.00
29. Andre Gomes CU 22 CP 22423 BB $ 400.00
30. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12193 BB $ 400.00
Again, Congratulations.
It was a pleasure seeing our guests enjoy the race and our food. Thanks for coming and sharing with us.
Linda and Rick
The birds were released into clear, cool skies above La Sarre, Quebec. Ron and Joyce released them at 7:45 AM. There were two other trailers in the area but they didn't see any other birds in the sky. The wind will push our birds further east helping them pick a better path home. Good luck to all.
The birds are exercising well, twice a day. They are now roaming a bit so it's time for a short toss. On Thursday we will take them 80 KM and Friday they will be loaded up for the 550 KM race from La Sarre, Quebec on Saturday.
The birds were released into a cool but bright sky. The birds left quickly, in one group, turning straight south. There was very little wind. The wind increased in strength and turned from north to south into north to south west. At home gusts were strong and often. All the birds arrived from south west, coming back up from Lake Ontario. It turned from a lovely day for a race into a lovely day for a marathon.
Congratulations to all that made it home and especially to the prize winning front runners.
1. Elfis Girls CU 22 CU 5933 BB $ 2000.00
2. Elfis Girls CU 22 CU 5938 BB $ 1200.00
3. Derick Schleifer CU 22 PKC 0115 BC $ 1000.00
4. Canadian Syndicate CU 22 CU 0732 BPD $ 700.00
4. Weekend at Bernie's CU 22 CU 2072 BC $ 700.00
6. Jack's Fire Loft 15 CU 22 CU 2065 BB $ 400.00
7. Cruz and Vasco CU 22 CU 4075 BC $ 400.00
8. Pigeonempire.com Guido Madrusan CU 22 22 7746 BB $ 400.00
9. Ranger CU 22 CU 6879 BC $ 400.00
10. Fan Family Loft CU 22 CU 15540 Choc $ 400.00
11. Wayne Lochbaum CU 22 NR 3261 BC $ 400.00
12, Jules Hou CU 22 MP 22534 BB $ 400.00
13. Wayne Lochbaum CU 22 NR 3269 BC $ 200.00
14. Wayne Lochbaum CU 22 NR 3213 BB $ 200.00
15. Cliff and Pete CU 22 CU 10203 Red $ 200.00
16. Jack's Fire Loft CU 22 CU 10374 BB $ 200.00
17. Russel Spring CU 22 CU 10990 BB $ 200.00
18. Clay Haven Farms AU 22 AA 12200 BB $ 200.00
19. Andre Gomes CU 22 CP 22421 BB $ 200.00
20. FCQ CU 22 LAVL 22207 BCPD $ 200.00
Congratulations!!!!!!
Weather, this time of year, is an obstacle that is sometimes difficult to handle. On top of that, the removal of Covid restrictions has resulted in a billion people travelling all over the far north of Quebec and Ontario. With rain moving east and with every hotel and motel in western Quebec booked solid, we have decided to release the birds on Thursday in Englehart Ontario. Ron and Joyce Martin are taking the birds this trip. They will release along hwy 11 on the north end of Englehart at 8 AM Thursday, September 15, weather allowing of course. Our main race was to be next Sunday but now the long range weather forecast is threatening to ruin that day so we will have our race on Saturday, September 24, just to be on the right side of caution.
Yesterday we handled all the birds and removed 8 strays from the group. We are the cross road for a couple or three combines and each week we get more and more stopovers. There are four birds with bumbs, bruises and the need of a few more days off. They will be ready for the next race.
CU 4946, 5930, 22075 and 4061 are at home.
Good luck to everyone tomorrow.
Rick and Linda
The birds have been out flying twice a day since the race last Friday. Yesterday was the first day that all had a decent loft fly. An hour and fifteen minutes in the AM and an hour in the afternoon. We took them for a short toss this morning and they came home very quickly. So did the hawks which kept them away from the loft for what seems forever. Tomorrow we will take them 70 KM for the race on Friday, Sept. 16. Our main race will be held on Sunday, Sept. 25. We will serve food, let us know if you are coming.