Racing and Results

*The 700 Km race saw 3 of my birds arrive on the day at around 6.15 pm - Miss America, Sandman and Maiden Flash!

2011

As usual this year the races in Bangalore were kickstarted from Aanatpur. The club had some great returns in good time. The only disappointment was my returns as my birds turned in a distant 11th and 12th in the young bird category; 12th in the open Derby and 11th in the young bird derby. My birds would not have been anywhere in the reckoning had the president not decided to increase the placings from 10 to 12. But the good news is that all the birds got back home.

The second race again was very poor as the birds just got two places - 10th in the young bird Derby and 11th in the open Derby. However, once again, the good news is that all birds got home. Lets see what they do in the next weeks race, from Raichur – 350 kms.

And finally a first! The young birds I’m flying this year were surely put to a very difficult test as hawks disturbed our races and some of them bore injury marks. The day too was windless with a slight fog hanging in the early air. Not great conditions really. But when the first bird broke in all theories were pushed to the background and the bird was clocked in at 12.38 am. It had flown 350 kms in 5 hrs and 8 minutes.

The results were:

Open Derby – 9th

YB Derby – 9th

YB – 1st

All birds in, one hit by a hawk. She’s recovering and will soon be able to enjoy free flight.

The next race was a ‘screw-up’ in every sense of the phrase. First the state had a ‘bandh’. For those not from these parts it’s a kind of a shut down of the city when a political party decides to protest something. In this case the ruling party was upset their boss was called a crook. So while everyone enjoyed an unexpected holiday, there we were trundling our panniers to the club house. The van left late but managed to reach the ‘point of release’ early. Only it wasn’t the point of release. He’d done just 500 kms by road (or so he says). My guess is the point he released wasn’t over 380 kms from Bangalore. So there we were having another race 30 kms from the previous race point. A total waste, but these things happen you know…

And the results calculated as 425 kms:

Open derby – 7th

YB Derby – 4th

Open – 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th

YB – 12th

Once again all birds in. So 4 races down and no losses. Somebody up there loves me … and my birds.

Now the scary part - The club after deciding that the next race will be 550 kms suddenly changed their minds and are now going to the next race point which is 700 kms. So that’s a jump of about 350 kms. Really unfair on the birds me thinks. So, after this unfairness was announced decided by a majority that overruled my sole voice of reason, I said aloud that I may not fly my birds. But this morning when I went up to fly my birds, they just swooshed out in amazing form, not displaying any fatigue from racing the previous day… so you know what, I just might fly my birds. I can’t expect them to do anything big, considering they’re all very young, but it just might be a good training run for them. So, me and my birds have decided we’ll fly!!!

And the the 700 kms race happened…

Even though the birds were young and even though several forces (and I don’t mean my dear friends in the US) did their best to keep me from entering my birds, I raced my birds, also much against the advice from my good friends Herb and Tommy. (Herb and Tommy, will explain via mail, why I decided to fly.)

And so I entered 30 of my birds, holding back the youngest of the lot and flying those close to a year old. Over 170 birds were sent to Nanded, 700 kms from Bangalore as the crow flies and released after over a 36 hour train ride and a sip of water.

One Bird made it into Bangalore on the same day and it wasn’t mine. My birds started coming in the next morning at about 7.40 am. Over 15 of mine made it before 10 am. I was a happy man as I left to the club with the clock.

There at the club, after a stutter in the calculations, it was finally decided that I’d won

7th, 8th and 9th positions.

Not really great, but considering the jump of nearly 300 kms and the age of my birds, I’m still happy. 20 of them have made it home, still waiting for the other 10.

Update - two more have made it... 8 more to go... sorry come :-)

All but one made it home!!! One guy came home in 2013 :) So they all come back eventually. So much for the nay-sayers and those crying cruelty to birds.

2013

So, after a two-year hiatus, the birds are back in the sky. I haven't been an active member in the club and have asked for a two-years break owing to my work which keeps me in another city. The birds are tended to by my bird-keeper Devadas who keeps them flying on a daily basis. There are around 50 youngsters flying and will be put on the track this year. The birds are handling well and are presently growing their 10th flights. They are on shorts 20 km tosses and are coming back in 18 to 20 minutes on an average. The fastest time was by a red cock who came home in 11 minutes from 20 kms (as the crow flies).

The sad part is only 27 of them have club rings, while the rest have personal rings. So, if I do end up racing (I can only race if I can get time away from work) I will be forced to race with only those 27 birds. Will keep you posted on the progress.

Next toss: 30 kms... They made it home in about 25 mins... not too hot on the wing... seem a tad tired. Wish I was with them everyday to tend to them. Alas, work keep me away in Chennai. Will be back hopefully on Saturday or Sunday. Will toss them there again. One bird is yet to come in from this toss. Hmm...

And.... we're back!!!! The year is 2019-2020!

After several years of taking a break and with some serious cajoling from my fancier friends who I had helped with birds to set up their lofts, last year (2019) we decided to start a club of our own.

The Bangalore Racing Pigeon Society held its first meeting on the 17th of March 2019 at 9.30 am at Kyalasanhalli, on Dodda Gubbi Main Road, off Hennur Road, Bangalore. This was the day our club was born! We would like to welcome new fanciers and beginners to our club. Our club is based in Bangalore, however, we encourage fanciers in other parts of the country to be in touch with us to hold reverse race point competitions. If you would like to be a part of this fun but serious group, you can get in touch with our secretary Jason SS +91 94828 94925 for more details.

Our first set of races as a society this year (2020) in underway. Please find the results of my birds below.

Year: 2019-2020

1st race - Place: Raphthadu; Distance - 170 kms

Year 2020-2021