CHILDREN'S AUTHOR VISITS YOUTH RACE

Children's book author, Barbara O'Connor, joined us for the 2009 Youth Race.  She has a great blog about the race and the kids.  It includes photos of the loft.

http://greetings-from-nowhere.blogspot.com/2009/10/dont-let-pigeon-lose-race.html

MISSISSIPPI REPORT - SCHOOL - # 6

250 Race - Top Twenty Birds

Listed below are the top 20 birds based on the Winspeed Champion Bird Report.  The birds that tied for places will have 1 pt added to their score.

Thanks to all of you for entering birds in this race series.

Ronnie Shumaker

Erio Alvarez
1. 602 AU 09 ALVAR 123.0 Pts 3 race(s) 458 Miles Tiger Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 14/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/117 Miles/ 12.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 8/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/151 Miles/ 36.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 1/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/190 Miles/ 75.0 Pts


John Gallagher
2. 9534 AU 09 GHC 107.0 Pts 2 race(s) 338 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 1/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/149 Miles/ 50.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 7/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/189 Miles/ 57.0 Pts


Bill Thorton
3. 955 AU 09 BLT 88.0 Pts 3 race(s) 458 Miles Tiger Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 15/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/117 Miles/ 11.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 19/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/151 Miles/ 14.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 5/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/190 Miles/ 63.0 Pts


John Hundrup
4. 9163 AU 09 CAMP 88.0 Pts 3 race(s) 453 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 2/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/116 Miles/ 24.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 21/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/149 Miles/ 10.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 8/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/189 Miles/ 54.0 Pts


Bob Lynch
5. 9907 AU 09 LYNCH 88.0 Pts 3 race(s) 458 Miles Tiger Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 12/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/117 Miles/ 14.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 25/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/151 Miles/ 2.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 2/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/190 Miles/ 72.0 Pts


Bill Thornton
6. 954 AU 09 BTL 84.0 Pts 3 race(s) 453 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 4/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/116 Miles/ 22.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 16/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/149 Miles/ 20.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 12/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/189 Miles/ 42.0 Pts

Pete Yachimske
7. 13434 AU 09 GHC 84.0 Pts 2 race(s) 307 Miles Tiger Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 11/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/117 Miles/ 15.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 3/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/190 Miles/ 69.0 Pts


John Hundrup
8. 9473 AU 09 AHPI 82.0 Pts 2 race(s) 355 Miles Teacher Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 3/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/157 Miles/ 46.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 14/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/198 Miles/ 36.0 Pts


John Bell
9. 142 AU 09 QUEEN 72.0 Pts 2 race(s) 355 Miles Teacher Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 5/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/157 Miles/ 42.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 16/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/198 Miles/ 30.0 Pts

Ronald Binion
10. 1685 AU 09 QUEEN 72.0 Pts 2 race(s) 307 Miles Tiger Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 20/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/117 Miles/ 6.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 4/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/190 Miles/ 66.0 Pts

Pete Yachimske
11. 13441 AU 09 GHC 71.0 Pts 2 race(s) 355 Miles Teacher Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 4/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/157 Miles/ 44.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 17/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/198 Miles/ 27.0 Pts


John Bell
12. 130 AU 09 QUEEN 64.0 Pts 2 race(s) 307 Miles Tiger Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 22/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/117 Miles/ 4.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 6/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/190 Miles/ 60.0 Pts


Crazy AL
13. 2883 AU 09 CRAZ 64.0 Pts 2 race(s) 338 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 18/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/149 Miles/ 16.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 10/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/189 Miles/ 48.0 Pts


Mike Lorefice
14. 9184 AU 09 LOREF 64.0 Pts 3 race(s) 453 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 9/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/116 Miles/ 17.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 22/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/149 Miles/ 8.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 13/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/189 Miles/ 39.0 Pts


CHAMPION BIRD REPORT(WinSpeed - 3) page 2


Al Lala
15. 207 AU 09 UTEN 63.0 Pts 2 race(s) 338 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 20/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/149 Miles/ 12.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 9/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/189 Miles/ 51.0 Pts


Bob Lynch
16. 9988 AU 09 LYNCH 63.0 Pts 2 race(s) 304 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 8/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/116 Miles/ 18.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 11/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/189 Miles/ 45.0 Pts


John Bell
17. 135 AU 09 QUEEN 55.0 Pts 2 race(s) 341 Miles Tiger Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 9/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/151 Miles/ 34.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 200 10/20/2009 19/ 49 Brds/ 3 Lfts/190 Miles/ 21.0 Pts


Dave Dunn
18. 454 AU 09 SPO 49.0 Pts 2 race(s) 268 Miles Tiger Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 17/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/117 Miles/ 9.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 6/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/151 Miles/ 40.0 Pts


Honey Baked Ham
19. 1405 AU 09 QUEEN 48.0 Pts 1 race(s) 149 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 2/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/149 Miles/ 48.0 Pts


Jerry Bellor
20. 379 AU 09 FSI 45.0 Pts 2 race(s) 264 Miles Panda Loft
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 09/29/2009 7/ 100 Brds/ 3 Lfts/116 Miles/ 19.0 Pts
-STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 10/08/2009 13/ 91 Brds/ 3 Lfts/149 Miles/ 26.0 Pts

CALIFORNIA REPORT - 4-H - # 9

WinSpeed-1 RED BLUFF PIGEON CLUB 10/25/09-18:45
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: MADRAS, OR. Young Bird Race Flown: 10/24/2009
Release(A): 08:30 Birds: 113 Lofts: 29 Station: MADRAS, OR.
Weather (Rel) SUNNY, S-5 MPH, 26 degrees (Arr) CLOUDY, N-10-20MPH, 75 degrees
CLOUDY/WINDY

POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 WALTS LOFT/10 161 AU 09 RBPC RC H 14:06:40 313.106 00.00 1636.814 197
2 MARGIES LO/12 5313 AU 09 AHPI BCWF H 14:06:40 313.106 00.00 1636.790 188
3 MARGIES LOFT 153 AU 09 RBPC BC H 14:06:49 2/ 12 00.09 1636.069 179
4 WALTS LOFT 87 AU 09 RBPC RC H 14:06:49 2/ 10 00.09 1636.037 170
5 WALTS LOFT 157 AU 09 RBPC RC H 14:06:57 3/ 10 00.16 1635.454 161
6 WALTS LOFT 115 AU 09 RBPC RC H 14:07:02 4/ 10 00.21 1635.050 151
7 RUSSELLS MU/3 939 AU 09 RBPC BB H 14:07:05 313.106 00.25 1634.791 142
8 WALTS LOFT 113 AU 09 RBPC RC H 14:07:05 5/ 10 00.25 1634.742 133
9 CRAIN LOFT/10 235 AU 09 POP BB H 14:13:17 316.012 03.29 1620.182 124
10 CRAIN LOFT 303 AU 09 POP BC H 14:13:21 2/ 10 03.33 1619.867 115
11 JR-THUNDER/3 978 AU 09 RBPC BC H 14:09:22 310.299 05.42 1609.249 106
--------------------------------- Above are 10 percent ------------------------
12 CINDYS LOFT/8 6978 AU 09 JEDD BC H 14:12:21 310.063 08.57 1594.017 97
13 SKIPPERS LO/5 5320 AU 09 AHPI BC H 14:01:45 300.415 08.43 1593.763 88
14 MARGIES LOFT 94 AU 09 RBPC BCWF H 14:16:02 3/ 12 09.21 1592.524 78
15 RUSSELLS MUSC 9102 AU 09 NVRH RC H 14:16:38 2/ 3 09.57 1589.767 69
16 LINDAS LOFT/2 5344 AU 09 SRP BB H 14:23:39 319.067 10.34 1587.893 60
17 CLARENCES /10 6955 AU 09 JEDD RB H 14:14:09 310.063 10.45 1585.680 51
18 SHULTS LOFT/2 603 AU 09 LONE BB H 14:16:13 311.691 11.04 1584.454 42
19 JR-BEN/3 6 AU 09 RBPC BC H 14:21:49 316.012 12.01 1580.884 33
20 MARGIES LOFT 152 AU 09 RBPC BC H 14:18:57 4/ 12 12.16 1579.213 24

CALIFORNIA REPORT - 4-H - # 8

Congratulations again to Junior 4-H member Ben Crain for taking the La Pine # 2 race.  One more to go and you with be KING OF THE CLUB.

TOP 20 - RED BLUFF

WinSpeed-1 RED BLUFF PIGEON CLUB 10/19/09-10:58
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: CHEMULT, OR. 2 Young Bird Race Flown: 10/17/2009
Release(A): 08:00 Birds: 144 Lofts: 28 Station: CHEMULT, OR. 2
Weather (Rel) P.CLOUDY, CALM, 34 degrees (Arr) P.CLOUDY, CALM, 68 degrees
COOL

POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 JR-BEN/3 5310 AU 09 AHPI BC H 12:54:06 214.369 00.00 1282.861 150
2 CRAIN LOFT/11 294 AU 09 POP BB H 12:54:08 214.369 00.01 1282.716 144
3 CRAIN LOFT 295 AU 09 POP DCK H 12:54:10 2/ 11 00.04 1282.556 139
4 CRAIN LOFT 201 AU 09 POP BB H 12:54:10 3/ 11 00.04 1282.534 134
5 CRAIN LOFT 208 AU 09 POP BC H 12:54:10 4/ 11 00.04 1282.527 128
6 CRAIN LOFT 303 AU 09 POP BC H 12:54:13 5/ 11 00.06 1282.353 123
7 CRAIN LOFT 9348 AU 09 TCW BC H 12:54:14 6/ 11 00.07 1282.280 118
8 JR-BEN 610 AU 09 LONE BB H 12:54:15 2/ 3 00.09 1282.207 112
9 WALTS LOFT/8 91 AU 09 RBPC RC H 12:52:37 210.854 03.20 1268.225 107
10 JR-BRENT/5 212 AU 09 RBPC SIL H 12:51:46 209.552 04.16 1264.042 101
11 CRAIN LOFT 306 AU 09 POP BC H 13:04:57 7/ 11 10.51 1237.218 96
12 MARGIES LO/15 5312 AU 09 AHPI BC H 13:00:32 210.854 11.15 1234.817 91
13 SKIPPERS LO/8 327 AU 09 RBPC BC H 12:47:19 197.993 15.41 1212.835 85
14 SKIPPERS LOFT 5320 AU 09 AHPI BC H 12:47:21 2/ 8 15.43 1212.695 80
--------------------------------- Above are 10 percent ------------------------
15 CLARENCES /14 6975 AU 09 JEDD BKCK H 13:01:31 207.620 16.40 1211.913 74
16 CLARENCES LOF 325 AU 09 RBPC BC H 13:01:33 2/ 14 16.42 1211.779 69
17 JR-JESSICA/3 213 AU 09 RBPC SPWF H 13:04:24 209.552 16.54 1211.575 64
18 JR-JESSICA 9015 AU 09 TRR BCWF H 13:04:24 2/ 3 16.55 1211.562 58
19 CLARENCES LOF 6961 AU 09 JEDD BBPD H 13:01:51 3/ 14 17.00 1210.574 53
20 SKIPPERS LOFT 319 AU 09 RBPC BC H 12:47:55 3/ 8 16.17 1210.308 47

2009 AU CONVENTION RACE

The New England party is done.  The race results are in.

The Herald News

FEATHERED FLYERS: Pigeons
head home after 312 mile flight
By John Moss
Fri Oct 23, 2009, 09:24 PM EDT

Fall River - Paula Desmarais of this city was not so surprised when her homing pigeon placed 16th out of more than 1,000 champion birds in a race over hundreds of miles this week.

The event was the centerpiece of this year’s American Racing Pigeon Union Convention.
Desmarais’ bird finished first in the south section of Massachusetts.

“We’ve placed first in Florida and won in national races,” she said.

What was so amazing about her bird’s finish was that it traveled against a prevailing 10 to 15 mph wind in only about 30 minutes longer than the overall winner, which flew with that wind, said her husband, Bill Desmarais, convention chairman.

A total of 1,057 feathered flyers were released from Lyons, N.Y., at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Paula’s champion bird arrived home in the Flint at 2:32 p.m. in a nonstop flight of more than 312 miles, traveling nearly 1,400 yards per minute.

Owners and handlers of these amazing birds are able to record precise racing data on them as modern pigeon racing is a high-tech affair with computer chips attached to the birds.

The overall winners of the $30,000 first prize were Chuck Lopresti of Braintree, the winning bird’s handler, and Vincent Locieiro, the breeder.

Their bird had the fastest time of six hours, two minutes and eight seconds.

“They fly for the love of home and family,” Bill Desmarais said.

“I came in 35th,” said Bill, finishing 19 places behind his wife. “I’ll take a lot of ribbing because she beat me. I have to live with that until next year.”

Today at the Ramada Inn in Seekonk, the top 30 birds to finish the race will be auctioned.

“They’re considered the most elite birds of America and will go for up to $10,000 to $15,000 per bird,” Bill said.

“People like to buy for the blood line. It’s like a racehorse. People come from across the U.S. and all over the world to be part of the race, the convention and to put in a bid.”

He said this was the first time in the past century the convention was held in the Greater Fall River area.

“It is good for the area economy because those attending are spending money at local attractions, in the stores and restaurants,” he said.

The event is scheduled for Oklahoma next year and in San Francisco in 2011.

Dave Souza/Herald News
Race Secretary Chuck Moniz, right, tallies the race with the help of Eric DeSouza.

MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL REPORTS - # 5

Students Vs Teacher 200

Congratulations to Erio Alvarez and Tiger Loft.

1 Tiger Loft/22 602 AU 09 ALVAR 12:25:13 190.498 00.00 1080.782 75 Erio Alvarez FL
2 Tiger Loft 9907 AU 09 LYNCH 12:25:13 2/ 22 00.00 1080.782 72 Bob Lynch GA
3 Tiger Loft 13434 AU 09 GHC 12:25:14 3/ 22 00.00 1080.724 69 Pete Yachimske FL
4 Tiger Loft 1685 AU 09 QUEEN 12:25:16 4/ 22 00.02 1080.608 66 Ronald Binion AL
5 Tiger Loft 955 AU 09 BLT 12:25:21 5/ 22 00.07 1080.318 63 Bill Thornton AL
--------------------------------- Above are 10 percent ------------------------
6 Tiger Loft 130 AU 09 QUEEN 12:27:12 6/ 22 01.58 1073.916 60 John Bell MS
7 Panda Loft/15 9534 AU 09 GHC 12:28:07 188.644 05.55 1060.349 57 John Gallagher FL
8 Panda Loft 9163 AU 09 CAMP 12:28:09 2/ 15 05.57 1060.236 54 John Hundrup WA
9 Panda Loft 207 AU 09 UTEN 12:28:11 3/ 15 05.59 1060.123 51 Al Lala FL
10 Panda Loft 2883 AU 09 CRAZ 12:28:11 4/ 15 05.59 1060.123 48 Crazy Al CO
--------------------------------- Above are 20 percent ------------------------
11 Panda Loft 9988 AU 09 LYNCH 12:28:14 5/ 15 06.02 1059.954 45 Bob Lynch GA
12 Panda Loft 954 AU 09 BTL 12:28:15 6/ 15 06.03 1059.898 42 Bill Thornton GA
13 Panda Loft 9184 AU 09 LOREF 12:28:15 7/ 15 06.03 1059.898 39 Mike Welch FL
14 Teacher Lo/12 9473 AU 09 AHPI 12:44:56 198.091 07.21 1056.698 36 John Hudrup WA
15 Teacher Loft 233 AU 09 GHC 12:45:16 2/ 12 07.41 1055.632 33 Art Hees FL
16 Teacher Loft 142 AU 09 QUEEN 12:45:18 3/ 12 07.43 1055.525 30 John Bell MS
17 Teacher Loft 13441 AU 09 GHC 12:45:24 4/ 12 07.49 1055.206 27 Pete Yachimske FL
18 Teacher Loft 2872 AU 09 CRAZ 12:46:05 5/ 12 08.30 1053.028 24 Crazy Al CO
19 Tiger Loft 135 AU 09 QUEEN 12:36:00 7/ 22 10.46 1044.475 21 John Bell MS
20 Tiger Loft 8859 AU 09 GHC 12:36:59 8/ 22 11.45 1041.286 18 Huch McKinnis FL
21 Tiger Loft 176 AU 09 TRPC 12:37:12 9/ 22 11.58 1040.585 15 Tommy Cox AL
22 Tiger Loft 94 AU 09 FSI 12:42:03 10/ 22 16.49 1025.154 12 Allan Frampton FL
23 Tiger Loft 8857 AU 09 GHC 12:42:03 11/ 22 16.49 1025.154 9 Hugh Mckinnis FL
24 Teacher Loft 380 AU 09 FSI 12:55:43 6/ 12 18.08 1023.255 6 Jerry Bellor
25 Tiger Loft 9643 AU 09 GHC 12:43:47 12/ 22 18.34 1019.749 3 Wilfredo Rodriguez

MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL REPORTS - # 4

October 20, 2009

Much better results at Panda Loft today.
7:15 release at about 200 miles.
First text from teacher at 12:25 with 7 on the drop.
Another text later has 4 12:39 more in.
12:47 another drop of 3.

MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL REPORT # 3

TEACHERS VS. STUDENTS PIGEON RACING

The competition continues with shipping to the 200.

Panda Loft
2590 GHC Dowe deBoer FL
174 TRPC Tommy Cox AL
436 NCC All American & Shellstone Farms NY
9534 GHC John Gallager FL
379 FSI Jerry Bellor FL
9184 Lorefice Mike Welch FL
1407 Queen Holmes & Matthews MS
2883 Craz Crazy Al CO
9163 Camp John Hundrup WA
1405 Queen School Sponsored
9998 Lynch Bob Lynch GA
207 U TEN Al Lala FL
2144 FSI Mike Drzewicki FL
1388 GHC John Manders

Tiger Loft
130 Queen John Bell MS
14567 GHC Bill Welch FL
2728 GHC Chris Knight FL
7147 SMRP Michael Duckworth MS
9643 GHC Wilfredo Rodriguez FL
456 SPO Dave Dunn WA
8857 GHC Hugh McKinnis FL
955 BLT Bill Thorton AL
13434 GHC Pete Yachimske FL
1478 FSI Andy & Leesa Guimond FL
793 FSI Danny Bunnagurio FL
135 Queen John Bell MS
94 FSI Allan Frampton FL
176 TRPC Tommy Cox AL
8859 GHC Hugh McKinnis FL
1383 GHC John Manders
454 SPO Dave Dunn WA
9907 LYNCH Bob Lynch GA
750 FSIF Ron Mariani FL
1685 Queen Ronald Binion AL
2577 GHC Dowe De Boer FL
602 ALVAREZ Erio Alvarez FL

Teacher Loft
1310 GHC John Manders FL
143 Queen John Bell MS
2059 GHC Vic Sternberg FL
13441 GHC Pete Yachimske FL
8850 GHC Hugh Mckinnis FL
9473 AHPI John Hundrup WA
142 Queen John Bell MS
2872 CRAZ Crazy Al CO
930 JJB John Bologa FL
1479 FSI Andy & Leesa Guimond FL
380 FSI Jerry Bellor FL
233 FSI Art Hees FL

WHITE HOMING PIGEONS

Florida Times Union
Glynn teen is taking flight in dove business
A Glynn teen's birds are used in shows of joy, as well as memorials.
By Terry DicksonStory updated at 1:08 AM on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

BRUNSWICK - Cody Moore is one of those rare people who can walk easily between worlds. Brought up on his family's farm, C-Boy Stables, he wears denim and leads horses through their paces for weekly riding lessons.

But on weekends, he gets dressed up - often in a tuxedo - and travels with his elegant white doves for ceremonial releases.

With horses watching from a nearby pasture, Cody caught one of his rock doves from inside a chicken wire pen at the farm. Stepping outside with it gently cradled in both hands, he loosened his grip. The bird fluttered up from his hands and flew right back to a perch on the coop.

That's why he can make some money off these home-loving birds with his business, Doves of Distinction.

Rock doves are actually white homing pigeons, cousins to the tumbler pigeons he keeps in an adjoining pen.

The 17-year-old junior at Glynn Academy attends the weddings and funerals of people he doesn't even know. He provides a few of the snowy white birds for family members to release to symbolize the freeing of a spirit, or perhaps a bride and groom taking flight in a new life together.

When the ceremonies are over, he hops back in his car and heads home to the farm. As stirring as it is when the birds are released, Cody gets a warm feeling when they reach home.

The Herald News shared convention race information.  Bill & Paula Desmarais and the New England RPC Sport Promotion Association put on a grand party.

HOMEWARD BOUND: Pigeon racers say pastime is more than a sport
By Marc Munroe Dion
Herald News Staff Reporter
Posted Oct 17, 2009 @ 07:59 PM
Last update Oct 17, 2009 @ 08:03 PM

FALL RIVER — In the back of a house in the Flint, 200 pigeons coo and strut and sleep, waiting.

The birds belong to Bill Desmarais. Next weekend, some of them will join 1,200 feathered flyers in a race.

That race starts Saturday in Lyons, N.Y., and ends at pigeon lofts in Fall River and Chelsea, Swansea and Newton, and points all around the commonwealth. It is the centerpiece of this year’s American Racing Pigeon Union Convention.

The union is an umbrella organization for enthusiasts who like to race homing pigeons — a large but largely unknown fraternity of people who watch the skies, waiting for their birds to come home. There are maybe 100 committed pigeon flyers in Fall River.

“The birds have been coming in since February,” said Desmarais, sitting in his den, holding a calm pigeon in his hand as nonchalantly as some men might hold a cigar.

For a race such as this, Desmarais explained, pigeon owners from all over the continent send their 30-day-old birds to lofts in Fall River, where they are trained and cared for by local pigeon fanciers.

“They have to get acclimated to the area,” Desmarais said.

What the birds have to do, he said, is learn that Fall River is home, because what a homing pigeon does is come home.

No one quite understands how a pigeon knows where to go.

“They think that they get used to the magnetic pull of the earth,” Desmarais said. “But no, no one really knows.”

What pigeon men and women do know is that a pigeon must be trained and fed like an athlete. That means no day-old bread.

“They don’t eat junk,” said Desmarais, getting a sage nod from fellow pigeon enthusiast Bobby Peckham.

“They get protein, carbohydrates,” Peckham said. “It’s like training a marathon runner.”

Desmarais stretches out one wing of the bird he’s holding. The wing trembles, but not with fear.

“It’s pent-up energy,” Desmarais said. “He can’t wait to fly.”

About 500 pigeon fanciers will descend on the Fall River area for the convention, ready to check out the area’s attractions, attend pigeon seminars at the Ramada Inn in Seekonk and, of course, wait for their birds.

“The birds guys sent to my loft, those guys will wait at my loft,” Desmarais said.

And make no mistake, Desmarais’ pigeons live in a loft, not a coop.

“A coop is for chickens,” Desmarais said with a hint of scorn.

First prize in the big race is $30,000. Some races, like in Las Vegas, pay $1 million in total prize money.

But money isn't the reason for the race. Pigeon owners like pigeons, and Desmarais puts an end to any notion that birds are bred as much for meat as for speed.

“It’s a pet,” he said. “Would you eat your dog? Would you eat your cat?”

The birds can fly as fast as 85 miles an hour, and average at least 45 miles an hour with the wind in their face.

“We don’t send them up if the weather is inclement,” Desmarais said. “We care too much about them for that.”

The birds want to get home, too, Desmarais said.

“They fly the whole way without stopping,” Desmarais said.

The birds will be transported to Lyons, N.Y., in a sealed truck, watered and fed and then released at sunrise on Saturday. Then, everyone waits.

“At my house, we’ll have some of the local tastes,” Desmarais said. “Chourico, maybe some gorton.”

Each bird will wear a plastic ring on one leg containing a computer chip. The chip records the time the bird is released and the time of its arrival.

Since the lofts to which the birds are returning are spread around the state, the birds will race anywhere from 270 to 360 miles. The winner is the bird who flies fastest mile for mile, minute for minute. The computers count the time, down to one-housandths of a second.

There are numerous ways to make a pigeon fly faster. Many trainers will put a strange male in the loft before releasing their male.

“It makes him want to come back if he knows there’s another male in there,” Desmarais said.

Racing pigeons can be had for $100, but a champion costs $35,000. Desmarais displayed a four-page pigeon pedigree as complicated as the papers for a show dog.

Within six hours of being released in New York, birds will begin showing up in Fall River, having flown as straight as an arrow to get home.

“It’s not really a race,” Desmarais said. “They’re homing pigeons. Pigeons mate for life. It’s not about racing for them. It’s about who can get home, getting home to the wife and kids.

“It’s a nice sport,” Desmarais said. “It’s something you can do in your backyard, and families can do it together.”

And how did Desmarais get started keeping pigeons?

He recalls how a white pigeon showed up in his yard when he was a kid. He kept it in a cage in his house for a little while.

“I gave it away and it came back,” he said. “I gave it away and it came back again.”

Ever since, Bill Desmarais has been waiting for his pigeons to come home.

Pigeon racing is a sport for birds as well as for humans

Post Bulletin, Rochester, MN

10/17/2009 8:20:01 AM

By Kurt Nesbitt

Post-Bulletin, Austin MN

Just like a homing pigeon, Steven Burton left and then returned home.

Home to racing the birds, that is.

Burton raced homing pigeons as a child, back when it was a more common hobby in the area.

He left the hobby when family began to occupy his time. Then, five years ago, he returned.

Burton belongs to the Rochester Racing Pigeon Club, which raises and trains the birds to race across the state or country using a system of leg bands, computerized clocks and sensors, a Global Positioning System and databases to track each bird as well as its racing time.

To avoid confusion among the birds, clubs coordinate races with each other, very much like air traffic controllers at airports. A 100-mile race takes a pigeon about two hours to complete. A 300-mile race takes six to seven hours.

"A lot of times, they'll come back and they're ready to go the next weekend," Burton said.

Pigeons are like athletes, says Burton, and the shapes of their bodies largely determines what they do. Birds with long, narrow wings are like distance runners.

And like athletes, pigeon owners load their birds with corn, barley and rice -- carbohydrates in the bird world -- to give them enough energy to stay in the race. They hydrate the birds with vitamins and electrolytes.

Like owners of race horses, pigeon owners will pay top dollar to get a top athlete with the right lineage. That can be upwards of $50,000. Many of the pigeons that race in the United States are imported from Belgium and Holland, Burton said.

Burton races pigeons because he enjoys the guys he flies and the competition. Tending to the birds in their coop is a quiet way to unwind from his work as a mental health practitioner.

Burton and other races keeps a track record of their successes.

"On any given day," he said, "any pigeon could win."

PARTY IN NEW ENGLAND

The New England RPC Sport Promotion Association hosts the great clam boil to kick off festivities for the 2009 AU National Convention in Fall River, MA.

It's going to be an amazing week of celebration and fellowship.

CALIFORNIA REPORT - # 7

Junior members are holding their own
against adult competitors. Go juniors!

Red Bluff's Top Twenty for 10.11.09


WinSpeed-1 RED BLUFF PIGEON CLUB 10/11/09-20:51
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: LA PINE, OR. Young Bird Race Flown: 10/03/2009
Release(A): 07:15 Birds: 186 Lofts: 28 Station: LA PINE, OR.
Weather (Rel) SUNNY, CALM, 16 degrees (Arr) SUNNY, N-15-20MPH, 64 degrees
WINDY/COOL

POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 JAMES LOFT/6 364 AU 09 RBPC BLK H 11:48:00 251.106 00.00 1618.850 168
2 CRAIN LOFT/11 295 AU 09 POP DCK H 11:45:17 248.063 00.35 1615.273 163
3 JR-BRENT/6 212 AU 09 RBPC SIL H 11:41:24 243.545 01.37 1609.006 158
4 CRAIN LOFT 201 AU 09 POP BB H 11:48:23 2/ 11 03.41 1596.957 154
5 JR-BEN/4 610 AU 09 LONE BB H 11:48:25 248.063 03.43 1596.762 149
6 CRAIN LOFT 208 AU 09 POP BC H 11:48:30 3/ 11 03.48 1596.276 145
7 JR-BRENT 711 AU 09 RBPC BC H 11:44:26 2/ 6 04.39 1590.891 140
8 JAMES LOFT 367 AU 09 RBPC BC H 11:52:52 2/ 6 04.51 1590.497 135
9 JR-JESSICA/5 213 AU 09 RBPC SPWF H 11:47:58 243.545 08.11 1570.299 131
10 JAMES LOFT 5347 AU 09 SRP BC H 11:57:54 3/ 6 09.54 1562.199 126
11 CRAIN LOFT 252 AU 09 POP BB H 11:55:32 4/ 11 10.50 1556.256 121
12 LINDAS LOFT/7 368 AU 09 RBPC BB H 11:59:04 251.106 11.03 1555.783 117
13 CRAIN LOFT 9348 AU 09 TCW BC H 11:55:52 5/ 11 11.10 1554.409 112
14 CRAIN LOFT 210 AU 09 POP DCK H 11:55:53 6/ 11 11.11 1554.316 107
15 CRAIN LOFT 294 AU 09 POP BB H 11:55:54 7/ 11 11.12 1554.224 103
16 CLARENCES /15 325 AU 09 RBPC BC H 11:48:50 241.807 10.56 1554.156 98
17 CINDYS LOF/17 992 AU 09 RBPC BKCK H 11:48:55 241.807 11.01 1553.683 94
18 CLARENCES LOF 6955 AU 09 JEDD RB H 11:48:57 2/ 15 11.03 1553.494 89
--------------------------------- Above are 10 percent ------------------------
19 CLARENCES LOF 6961 AU 09 JEDD BBPD H 11:48:59 3/ 15 11.05 1553.305 84
20 CLARENCES LOF 329 AU 09 RBPC BB H 11:50:07 4/ 15 12.13 1546.907 80

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL REPORT - # 6

Congratulations to the top twenty places - 10.11.09

WinSpeed-1 RED BLUFF PIGEON CLUB 10/11/09-14:33

Weekly Race Report Page 1

Open and Sportsman Category

Name: BEND, OR. Young Bird Race Flown: 10/10/2009

Release(A): 08:00 Birds: 160 Lofts: 28 Station: BEND, OR.

Weather (Rel) SUNNY, CALM, 20 degrees (Arr) SUNNY, CALM, 78 degrees

NICE

POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT

1 JR-BEN/3 5310 AU 09 AHPI BC H 13:13:34 273.757 00.00 1536.506 179

2 CRAIN LOFT/12 9348 AU 09 TCW BC H 13:13:34 273.757 00.00 1536.481 174

3 JR-BEN 610 AU 09 LONE BB H 13:13:37 2/ 3 00.02 1536.310 168

4 WALTS LOFT/9 161 AU 09 RBPC RC H 13:10:15 270.801 00.02 1536.279 162

5 CRAIN LOFT 252 AU 09 POP BB H 13:13:52 2/ 12 00.17 1535.086 156

6 CRAIN LOFT 208 AU 09 POP BC H 13:13:59 3/ 12 00.24 1534.516 150

7 CRAIN LOFT 295 AU 09 POP DCK H 13:14:07 4/ 12 00.32 1533.865 145

8 CRAIN LOFT 210 AU 09 POP DCK H 13:14:15 5/ 12 00.40 1533.214 139

9 MARGIES LO/13 5312 AU 09 AHPI BC H 13:11:42 270.801 01.29 1529.132 133

10 CLARENCES /14 6967 AU 09 JEDD BC H 13:08:20 267.751 01.38 1528.350 127

11 JAMES LOFT/5 367 AU 09 RBPC BC H 13:19:47 276.809 02.42 1523.482 121

12 JAMES LOFT 5347 AU 09 SRP BC H 13:21:46 2/ 5 04.41 1514.091 116

13 CRAIN LOFT 306 AU 09 POP BC H 13:21:02 6/ 12 07.27 1500.817 110
14 WALTS LOFT 158 AU 09 RBPC RC H 13:20:13 2/ 9 10.00 1488.461 104
15 WALTS LOFT 91 AU 09 RBPC RC H 13:20:19 3/ 9 10.06 1487.997 98
16 MARGIES LOFT 153 AU 09 RBPC BC H 13:20:45 2/ 13 10.32 1485.986 93
--------------------------------- Above are 10 percent ------------------------
17 WALTS LOFT 115 AU 09 RBPC RC H 13:20:48 4/ 9 10.35 1485.755 87
18 RUSSELLS MU/4 939 AU 09 RBPC BB H 13:21:08 270.801 10.55 1484.212 81
19 WALTS LOFT 113 AU 09 RBPC RC H 13:21:14 5/ 9 11.01 1483.750 75
20 CINDYS LOF/16 6960 AU 09 JEDD RC H 13:17:37 267.751 10.55 1483.679 69

MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL REPORT - # 2

Mississippi schools competition lists top 10 for 10.09.09

Congratulations!

1. John Gallagher FL

2. School Sponsored Bird MS
3. John Hundrup WA
4. Pete Yachimske FL
5. John Bell MS
6. Dave Dunn WA
7. Dowe de Boer FL
8. Erio Alvarez FL
9. John Bell MS
10. Andy & Leesa Guimond

WinSpeed-1 Queen City Racing Pigeon Club 10/09/09-22:00
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: STUDENTVSTEACHER 150 Young Bird Race Flown: 10/08/2009
Release(A): 07:00 Birds: 91 Lofts: 3 Station: BATESVILLE
Weather (Rel) Cldy, SE 3-5, 64 degrees (Arr) Ptly Cldy, SE 3-5, 78 degrees
Slight Tail Wind on Course

POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 Panda Loft/24 9534 AU 09 GHC 11:33:28 148.933 00.00 958.518 50
2 Panda Loft 1405 AU 09 QUEEN 11:33:37 2/ 24 00.09 957.993 48
3 Teacher Lo/31 9473 AU 09 AHPI 12:00:10 156.799 12.15 919.379 46
4 Teacher Loft 13441 AU 09 GHC 12:00:50 2/ 31 12.55 917.341 44
5 Teacher Loft 142 AU 09 QUEEN 12:01:45 3/ 31 13.50 914.555 42
6 Tiger Loft/36 454 AU 09 SPO 11:54:34 150.582 18.04 899.710 40
7 Panda Loft 2590 AU 09 GHC 11:51:59 3/ 24 18.31 897.732 38
8 Tiger Loft 602 AU 09 ALVAR 11:59:12 2/ 36 22.42 885.777 36
9 Tiger Loft 135 AU 09 QUEEN 12:03:14 3/ 36 26.44 873.995 34
10 Teacher Loft 1479 AU 09 FSI 12:22:46 4/ 31 34.51 855.004 32

CONGRATULATIONS RED BLUFF RACE WINNER!

Crain takes four pigeon races

By ALYSON ENOS-Special to the DN

The Red Bluff Pigeon Club has started its pigeon racing season.

The first race took off from north of the Oregon state line Aug. 31. Junior Ben Crain flew by the competition to win 2.43 seconds ahead of Max Ferriera. Crain's blue check hen flew 135 miles at a rate of 53 mph

Crain followed up with another win in the south of Klamath Falls, Ore. race Sept. 7. His hen flew in at 46 mph over a distance of 141 miles, beating all other competitors, including adults

On Sept. 12, Crain's blue bar hen flew 147 miles at 44 mph in another Klamath Falls race and then covered 171 miles at 44 mph in a race out of Chiloquen, Ore.

PIGEONS' WINNING WAYS

2009 4H/FFA Livestock and Horse results

AU's Taylor Drummond is a winner!

excerpt
. . . Taylor Drummond, San Pedro Trailblazers 4-H - Champion Jr. Waterfowl Showmanship; Champion Jr. Small Livestock Round Robin Showmanship; Champion Futurity Ewe (3rd Year); Reserve Jr. Pigeon Showmanship; Reserve Matched Mated Pigeon Pair; Champion Matched Mated Pigeon Pair; Champion Commercial Ewe; Supreme Champion Ewe; Champion Jr. Cavy Showmanship . . .

PIGEON SPIES

Spycraft In Vienna

Former CIA museum curator brings tools of the trade to life.

By Donna Manz, The Connection

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

excerpt

. . . Spies learned to create listening devices in the dark, and pigeons became a vital part of the World War II communications effort. GI Joe received a citation and medal for animal gallantry; the pigeons had a 98 percent success rate getting messages to their recipients. Turns out that pigeons have magnetite in their beaks, which allows them to follow magnetic fields. The Maidenform Brassiere Company made specially-designed curved pouches for paratroopers to carry their pigeons. The pigeon portion got rave reviews. Jan Beatey and Fran Snyder, both from Vienna, liked learning about the pigeons the most. . .

SCHOOL REPORT - California # 5

Red Bluff's Top Twenty 10.04.09

WinSpeed-1 RED BLUFF PIGEON CLUB 10/04/09-19:29
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: LA PINE, OR. Young Bird Race Flown: 10/03/2009
Release(A): 07:15 Birds: 186 Lofts: 28 Station: LA PINE, OR.
Weather (Rel) SUNNY, CALM, 16 degrees (Arr) SUNNY, N-15-20MPH, 64 degrees
WINDY/COOL

POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 JAMES LOFT/6 364 AU 09 RBPC BLK H 11:48:00 254.202 00.00 1638.810 169
2 CRAIN LOFT/11 295 AU 09 POP DCK H 11:45:17 251.157 00.33 1635.417 165
3 JR-BRENT/6 212 AU 09 RBPC SIL H 11:41:24 246.676 01.28 1629.691 160
4 CRAIN LOFT 201 AU 09 POP BB H 11:48:23 2/ 11 03.39 1616.873 155
5 JR-BEN/4 610 AU 09 LONE BB H 11:48:25 251.157 03.41 1616.675 151
6 CRAIN LOFT 208 AU 09 POP BC H 11:48:30 3/ 11 03.46 1616.183 146
7 JR-BRENT 711 AU 09 RBPC BC H 11:44:26 2/ 6 04.30 1611.344 141
8 JAMES LOFT 367 AU 09 RBPC BC H 11:52:52 2/ 6 04.51 1610.107 137
9 JR-JESSICA/5 213 AU 09 RBPC SPWF H 11:47:58 246.676 08.02 1590.486 132
10 JAMES LOFT 5347 AU 09 SRP BC H 11:57:54 3/ 6 09.53 1581.461 127
11 CRAIN LOFT 252 AU 09 POP BB H 11:55:32 4/ 11 10.48 1575.664 122
12 LINDAS LOFT/7 368 AU 09 RBPC BB H 11:59:04 254.202 11.03 1574.966 118
13 CLARENCES /15 325 AU 09 RBPC BC H 11:48:50 244.963 10.45 1574.440 113
14 CINDYS LOF/17 992 AU 09 RBPC BKCK H 11:48:55 244.963 10.50 1573.961 108
15 CRAIN LOFT 9348 AU 09 TCW BC H 11:55:52 5/ 11 11.08 1573.794 104
16 CLARENCES LOF 6955 AU 09 JEDD RB H 11:48:57 2/ 15 10.52 1573.769 99
17 CRAIN LOFT 210 AU 09 POP DCK H 11:55:53 6/ 11 11.09 1573.700 94
18 CRAIN LOFT 294 AU 09 POP BB H 11:55:54 7/ 11 11.10 1573.607 90
--------------------------------- Above are 10 percent ------------------------
19 CLARENCES LOF 6961 AU 09 JEDD BBPD H 11:48:59 3/ 15 10.54 1573.578 85
20 CLARENCES LOF 329 AU 09 RBPC BB H 11:50:07 4/ 15 12.02 1567.096 80

HOMING PIGEON EXHIBIT

St. Tammany Parish Racing Pigeon Exhibit

The Slidell Racing Pigeon Club manned a display booth to share the sport with others.

Thumbs up to Kenny Soulant, Ronnie Schwehm, Ronnie Fitzmorris, Mo, Byron, Sean, Byron Jr. and Brandon Williams, Gary, Clarence, Kendall, and Vick Corso for making the event a great success.

To find out more about racing homing pigeons, contact the AU for free information.

PIGEONS & SCIENCE

www.scienceblogs.com/http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2009/10/birds_in_the_news_184.php?utm_source=networkbanner&utm_medium=link

. . . A recent experiment by Shigeru Watanabe showed that the utterly un-artistic pigeon could be taught to identify "good" and "bad" children's artwork. How was the pigeon able to perform this feat and why should we care that it did? Categorizing these patterns of visual stimulation allows you to make sense of an often complex and chaotic world. Remarkably, when pigeons are suitably trained, they too can learn a variety of visual categories. Understanding how animals categorize and process these visual stimuli has important implications for our view of both animals and people. These kinds of discriminations attest to the ability of animals to learn both categories and concepts, once thought to be uniquely human abilities. . .

ROCK RIVER VALLEY RACING

There is a very nice article in the October 4 Tribune.  Here is a portion and a link to the complete story provided.  Great description of racing from the club members.

Excerpt from Chicago Tribune 10.04.09
by By SAM SMITH, Sauk Valley Newspapers

STERLING, Ill. - These aren't your garden-variety pigeons. Let these birds go, and they'll fly 300 miles straight home in a half-day.

Norbert Padilla has been breeding and racing homing pigeons for about 70 years ever since the Belgian population in Kewanee introduced him to the birds during his childhood.

Now Padilla, 79, of Sterling, is the oldest among an aging population of Sauk Valley residents who are looking to promote the sport of racing pigeons and attract a new generation of pigeon fanciers.

About 30 people meet at the Rock River Racing Pigeon Club, on Sterling's west end, on Fridays during the summer. They send their birds to a designated drop point often 300 miles away or more.

When released, the homing pigeons shoot straight into the air, then circle for 2 or 3 minutes. "And all of a sudden, they'll make a straight beeline for the direction their home is," Padilla said. "It's something no scientist has ever been able to figure out: how these birds find their way home."

Some attribute the homing to the sun, others to the Earth's magnetic field. Some say the pigeons can sense tidal movements and adjust accordingly.

Whatever it is, retired Dixon schoolteacher Devoe Manning calls the phenomenon "an amazing thing to see."

. . . To the lay person, there appears to be little difference between common pigeons and homing pigeons. But homing pigeons are the result of thousands of years of selective breeding of the common rock pigeon, which has a latent homing tendency, Manning said.

For pigeon racers, though, a world of difference exists between common and homing breeds of pigeon.

"It's like putting a mule next to a racehorse," Padilla said.

PIGEONS TEACH MATH

The Meridian Star, 10.01.09

Pigeons teach math at PSE

'Flying Pandas' make learning fun

By Jennifer Jacob Brown
Photo Lindsey Key

When you think of classroom learning tools, your mind likely conjures up images of textbooks, rulers, and microscopes. But fourth-graders at Poplar Springs Elementary are learning important skills using something a bit more unconventional — their own flock of pigeons.

The project began last year when Jennifer McDonald's fifth grade class met pigeons raised by another teacher, Clarkdale's Ronnie Shumaker. The kids wrote letters to pigeon breeders all over the country, asking them to donate baby pigeons and the money needed to create the little birds' living space.

A whopping 42 people responded. Many of the baby pigeons were sent to the school last year, and Shumaker dropped by to help the fifth graders construct a pigeon loft.

This was a fun activity for the students, but also a lesson in math and the importance of math skills in everyday life.

"They sawed, they measured, they drilled, they painted, they did all of it," McDonald said.

This year, McDonald teaches fourth grade at PSE, and says the pigeons — dubbed the Poplar Springs Flying Pandas — have not only provided her with opportunities to teach lessons in every subjects, but have made her students excited to learn those lessons.

"They just love them," she said. "It's made learning exciting and more meaningful."

The kids take care of the pigeons themselves, measuring their food, cleaning their loft, even helping them learn to fly.

"They do everything and they do it joyfully," said McDonald.

The pigeons have given the kids an opportunity to learn math by measuring food and calculating flight speed, to learn geography by using a map to make charts of where pigeons might fly, to learn writing by composing stories and letters about the birds, and to learn science in a huge variety of ways.

They make graphs, research pigeons and pigeon breeding, and learn about animal instincts and care. They even learned about the food chain after an unfortunate incident in which a pigeon was taken by a neighborhood hawk.

"The kids race to see who can finish first when they're doing some kind of math skill," McDonald said. "Instead of doing four digit addition from a workbook, we can add band numbers (the numbers used to identify individual pigeons)."

Tuesday, the PSE Flying Pandas participated in their first race, competing against Shumaker's own flock of pigeons and another flock that he takes care of at Harris Elementary.

The kids are now working to calculate which pigeons flew the fastest using data from computer chips the birds carry.

In the future, McDonald hopes to find another school that uses pigeons in the classroom so that students from each school can create word problems and send to each other via pigeons. This, she said, would not only make solving the problem more exciting, but would help kids have a deeper understanding of math in general.

"They don't need to be able to just solve it," McDonald said. "They need to be able to think for themselves and create problems."

SCHOOL REPORT - California - # 4

Top Twenty

WinSpeed-1 RED BLUFF PIGEON CLUB 09/20/09-12:34
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: CHILOQUIN, OR. Young Bird Race Flown: 09/19/2009
Release(A): 07:30 Birds: 233 Lofts: 30 Station: CHILOQUIN, OR.
Weather (Rel) P.CLOUDY, CALM, 41 degrees (Arr) SUNNY, SO. 1-3MPH, 79 degrees
HIGH CLOUDS/WARM


POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 CRAIN LOFT/14 203 AU 09 POP BC H 11:20:31 171.235 00.00 1307.304 131
2 CRAIN LOFT 295 AU 09 POP DCK H 11:20:40 2/ 14 00.08 1306.491 128
3 CRAIN LOFT 291 AU 09 POP BB H 11:20:44 3/ 14 00.12 1306.123 125
4 CRAIN LOFT 294 AU 09 POP BB H 11:21:43 4/ 14 01.11 1300.581 122
5 CRAIN LOFT 210 AU 09 POP DCK H 11:21:46 5/ 14 01.14 1300.309 119
6 CRAIN LOFT 208 AU 09 POP BC H 11:21:47 6/ 14 01.15 1300.169 117
7 JR-BEN/6 516 AU 09 POP BB H 11:21:48 171.235 01.16 1300.113 114
8 JR-BEN 5310 AU 09 AHPI BC H 11:21:53 2/ 6 01.21 1299.637 111
9 CINDYS LOF/17 182 AU 09 RBPC RB H 11:16:53 164.481 05.27 1275.899 108
10 CINDYS LOFT 992 AU 09 RBPC BKCK H 11:18:06 2/ 17 06.40 1269.066 105
11 JR-BRENT/6 212 AU 09 RBPC SIL H 11:21:41 166.393 07.40 1264.017 102
12 WALTS LOFT/12 91 AU 09 RBPC RC H 11:25:59 167.699 10.12 1250.725 99
13 MARGIES LO/16 5313 AU 09 AHPI BCWF H 11:26:03 167.699 10.16 1250.372 96
14 CRAIN LOFT 201 AU 09 POP BB H 11:32:20 7/ 14 11.48 1243.629 94
15 MARGIES LOFT 79 AU 09 RBPC BB H 11:27:28 2/ 16 11.42 1242.851 91
16 CRAIN LOFT 233 AU 09 POP BC H 11:32:31 8/ 14 12.00 1242.612 88
17 MARGIES LOFT 125 AU 09 RBPC BBWF H 11:27:39 3/ 16 11.52 1241.953 85
18 MARGIES LOFT 83 AU 09 RBPC BB H 11:28:03 4/ 16 12.17 1239.823 82
19 WALTS LOFT 87 AU 09 RBPC RC H 11:28:09 2/ 12 12.23 1239.268 79
20 MARGIES LOFT 5312 AU 09 AHPI BC H 11:28:13 5/ 16 12.27 1238.956 76

SCHOOL REPORT - California - # 3

Top Twenty

WinSpeed-1 RED BLUFF PIGEON CLUB 09/13/09-12:43
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: KLAMATH FALLS, OR. Young Bird Race Flown: 09/12/2009
Release(A): 07:00 Birds: 266 Lofts: 30 Station: KLAMATH FALLS, OR.
Weather (Rel) SUNNY, CALM, 52 degrees (Arr) P.CLOUDY, CALM, 78 degrees
P.CLOUDY


POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 CRAIN LOFT/14 294 AU 09 POP BB H 10:20:58 147.478 00.00 1291.530 120
2 CRAIN LOFT 201 AU 09 POP BB H 10:21:00 2/ 14 00.02 1291.316 117
3 CRAIN LOFT 295 AU 09 POP DCK H 10:21:02 3/ 14 00.04 1291.102 115
4 JR-BEN/6 516 AU 09 POP BB H 10:21:03 147.478 00.05 1290.941 111
5 CRAIN LOFT 203 AU 09 POP BC H 10:21:03 4/ 14 00.05 1290.941 113
6 CRAIN LOFT 208 AU 09 POP BC H 10:21:05 5/ 14 00.07 1290.770 108
7 CRAIN LOFT 233 AU 09 POP BC H 10:21:14 6/ 14 00.16 1289.808 106
8 CRAIN LOFT 209 AU 09 POP DCK H 10:21:15 7/ 14 00.17 1289.691 104
9 CRAIN LOFT 210 AU 09 POP DCK H 10:21:17 8/ 14 00.19 1289.456 101
10 CRAIN LOFT 291 AU 09 POP BB H 10:21:20 9/ 14 00.22 1289.135 99
11 JR-GABRIEL/11 664 AU 09 LONE BB H 10:14:26 141.459 01.39 1280.554 97
12 CLARENCES /18 6967 AU 09 JEDD BC H 10:16:09 141.390 03.29 1268.588 94
13 SKIPPERS L/20 319 AU 09 RBPC BC H 10:07:04 131.741 07.31 1239.536 92
14 CINDYS LOF/18 6960 AU 09 JEDD RC H 10:21:25 141.390 08.44 1235.459 90
15 SKIPPERS LOFT 304 AU 09 RBPC BBWF H 10:08:37 2/ 20 09.05 1229.296 88
16 SKIPPERS LOFT 5320 AU 09 AHPI BC H 10:08:46 3/ 20 09.14 1228.297 85
17 JR-BRENT/6 9005 AU 09 TRR BB H 10:25:02 143.005 10.09 1227.501 83
18 JR-JESSICA/5 703 AU 09 RBPC BB H 10:25:18 143.005 10.26 1225.877 81
19 JR-BRENT 711 AU 09 RBPC BC H 10:25:37 2/ 6 10.44 1224.039 78
20 SKIPPERS LOFT 330 AU 09 RBPC BB H 10:10:30 4/ 20 10.57 1217.206 76

SCHOOL REPORT - California - # 2

RED BLUFF, California 09.07.09

Winspeed© Top Twenty

WinSpeed-1 RED BLUFF PIGEON CLUB 09/07/09-13:31
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: SOUTH KLAMATH FALLS Young Bird Race Flown: 09/06/2009
Release(A): 07:00 Birds: 283 Lofts: 28 Station: SOUTH KLAMATH FALLS
Weather (Rel) SUNNY, CALM, 40 degrees (Arr) SUNNY, N.1-3 MPH, 75 degrees
SUNNY/NICE

POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 JR-BEN/7 609 AU 09 LONE BC H 10:02:59 141.020 00.00 1356.330 117
2 CRAIN LOFT/16 203 AU 09 POP BC H 10:03:00 141.020 00.01 1356.181 115
3 CRAIN LOFT 208 AU 09 POP BC H 10:03:01 2/ 16 00.02 1356.045 113
4 CRAIN LOFT 294 AU 09 POP BB H 10:03:01 3/ 16 00.02 1356.045 110
5 CRAIN LOFT 209 AU 09 POP DCK H 10:03:02 4/ 16 00.03 1355.934 108
6 JR-BEN 516 AU 09 POP BB H 10:03:02 2/ 7 00.03 1355.897 106
7 JR-BEN 610 AU 09 LONE BB H 10:03:03 3/ 7 00.03 1355.848 104
8 CRAIN LOFT 210 AU 09 POP DCK H 10:03:03 5/ 16 00.04 1355.774 102
9 CRAIN LOFT 274 AU 09 POP RCSP H 10:03:04 6/ 16 00.05 1355.700 100
10 CRAIN LOFT 9348 AU 09 TCW BC H 10:03:05 7/ 16 00.05 1355.589 98
11 CRAIN LOFT 306 AU 09 POP BC H 10:03:06 8/ 16 00.06 1355.465 96
12 CRAIN LOFT 295 AU 09 POP DCK H 10:03:07 9/ 16 00.08 1355.330 94
13 CRAIN LOFT 291 AU 09 POP BB H 10:03:08 10/ 16 00.08 1355.256 92
14 JR-HALI N/5 25 AU 09 RBPC BC H 10:07:30 142.813 02.11 1340.441 89
15 MARGIES LO/23 122 AU 09 RBPC BC H 10:06:23 137.874 07.28 1301.894 87
16 JR-BRENT/5 9026 AU 09 TRR BC H 10:06:09 136.480 09.03 1290.347 85
17 CLARENCES /20 6967 AU 09 JEDD BC H 10:03:56 134.827 08.59 1290.010 83
18 JR-BRENT 711 AU 09 RBPC BC H 10:06:15 2/ 5 09.09 1289.585 81
19 SHULTS LOFT/3 9016 AU 09 TRR BC H 10:06:16 136.480 09.10 1289.493 79
20 JR-BRENT 9031 AU 09 TRR BB H 10:06:30 3/ 5 09.24 1287.914 77

SCHOOL REPORT - Mississippi - # 2

ENTERPRISE, Mississippi 10.01.09

Thanks for your support.
Hope to race 150 Mon. or Tues., depending on weather.
Thanks,
Shoe

Winspeed© Report - TOP TWENTY

WinSpeed-1 Queen City Racing Pigeon Club 10/01/09-07:40
Weekly Race Report Page 1
Open and Sportsman Category
Name: STUDENTVSTEACHER 100 Young Bird Race Flown: 09/29/2009
Release(A): 07:00 Birds: 100 Lofts: 3 Station: GRENADA
Weather (Rel) Clear, Calm, 50 degrees (Arr) Ptly Cldy, N 3-5, 70 degrees
Slight Tail Wind on Course

POS NAME BAND NUMBER CLR X ARRIVAL MILES TOWIN YPM PT
1 Panda Loft/24 1768 AU 09 QUEEN 09:16:29 115.510 00.00 1489.543 25
2 Panda Loft 9163 AU 09 CAMP 09:16:29 2/ 24 00.00 1489.543 24
3 Panda Loft 436 AU 09 NCC 09:16:32 3/ 24 00.03 1488.998 23
4 Panda Loft 954 AU 09 BTL 09:16:33 4/ 24 00.04 1488.816 22
5 Panda Loft 445 AU 09 SPO 09:16:34 5/ 24 00.04 1488.634 21
6 Panda Loft 13433 AU 09 GHC 09:16:35 6/ 24 00.06 1488.453 20
7 Panda Loft 379 AU 09 FSI 09:16:36 7/ 24 00.07 1488.271 19
8 Panda Loft 9988 AU 09 LYNCH 09:16:39 8/ 24 00.10 1487.726 18
9 Panda Loft 9184 AU 09 LOREF 09:16:44 9/ 24 00.15 1486.820 17
10 Tiger Loft/39 7147 AU 09 SMRP 09:21:16 116.960 03.04 1457.167 16
--------------------------------- Above are 10 percent ------------------------
11 Tiger Loft 13434 AU 09 GHC 09:21:18 2/ 39 03.06 1456.823 15
12 Tiger Loft 9907 AU 09 LYNCH 09:21:18 3/ 39 03.06 1456.823 14
13 Tiger Loft 140 AU 09 QUEEN 09:21:19 4/ 39 03.07 1456.651 13
14 Tiger Loft 602 AU 09 ALVAR 09:21:24 5/ 39 03.12 1455.793 12
15 Tiger Loft 955 AU 09 BLT 09:21:35 6/ 39 03.23 1453.908 11
16 Tiger Loft 442 AU 09 NCC 09:22:15 7/ 39 04.03 1447.094 10
17 Tiger Loft 454 AU 09 SPO 09:22:25 8/ 39 04.13 1445.401 9
18 Tiger Loft 9181 AU 09 LOREF 09:22:31 9/ 39 04.19 1444.386 8
19 Tiger Loft 9161 AU 09 CAMP 09:22:34 10/ 39 04.22 1443.880 7
20 Tiger Loft 1685 AU 09 QUEEN 09:22:38 11/ 39 04.26 1443.205 6

SCHOOL REPORT - Mississippi - # 1

ENTERPRISE, Mississippi 09.30.09

Panda Team had 1 bird out yesterday
Tiger Team had 6 birds out.
Teacher Team had 8 birds out.
Expected today.

Listed below is 1st - 25th

Same speeds share same points.

150 next week, if weather permits

Winspeed© Results emailed tomorrow.

Ronnie

Bird-Owner-State-Loft-Speed-Pts
1768 QUEEN Triple B Lofts MS Panda 1489.543 25
9163 CAMP John Hundrup WA Panda 1489.543 25
436 NCC All American/Shellstone NY Panda 1488.998 23
954 BTL Bill Thorton AL Panda 1488.816 22
445 SPO Dave Dunn WA Panda 1488.634 21
13433 GHC Pete Yachimske FL Panda 1488.453 20
379 FSI Jerry Bellor FL Panda 1483.271 19
9988 LYNCH Bob Lynch GA Panda 1487.726 18
9184 LOREFICE Mike Welch FL Panda 1486.82 17
7147 SMRP Mike Duckworth MS Tiger 1457.167 16
13434 GHC Pete Yachimske FL Tiger 1456.823 15
9907 LYNCH Bob Lynch GA Tiger 1456.823 15
140 QUEEN John Bell MS Tiger 1456.651 13
602 ALVAREZ Erio Alvarez FL Tiger 1455.793 12
955 BLT Bill Thorton AL Tiger 1453.908 11
442 NCC All American/Shellstone NY Tiger 1447.094 10
454 SPO Dave Dunn WA Tiger 1445.401 9
9181 LOREFICE Mike Welch FL Tiger 1444.386 8
9161 CAMP John Hundrup WA Tiger 1443.88 7
1685 QUEEN Ronald Binion AL Tiger 1443.205 6
176 TRPC Tommy Cox AL Tiger 1435.489 5
130 QUEEN John Bell MS Tiger 1416.231 4
1767 QUEEN Triple B Lofts MS Tiger 1397.166 3
470 SPO Dave Dunn WA Teacher 1389.822 2
244 QUEEN John Bell MS Teacher 1388.822 1