by johnnymarin | Jan 6, 2019 | Pigeons in the News
I feel sorry for urban children. Most of them seem to lead normal lives, although what passes for “normal” nowadays often means being attached to a video game console immediately after emerging from the womb.
Meanwhile, I’m still trying to figure out how to operate common household appliances. For example, I recently discovered that you cannot cook sliced bologna in a DVD player. This seems like the gross underutilization of a perfectly good laser.
The main reason I pity town kids is that none seem to have access to the one resource that’s essential for a fulfilling and thrilling childhood: a barn.
A barn is commonly thought of as a confinement facility for livestock. But it’s also one of the best places for kids to grow up under free-range conditions. A barn contains a universe of playtime opportunities; the only limit is a child’s imagination.
When I was a mere youngling, our farm had a rickety old barn that was home to a menagerie of animals, ranging from the mighty (cows) to the lowly (pigs) to the clucky (chickens). And that doesn’t count the multitude of freeloaders such as cats and pigeons and sparrows and mice. That old barn sheltered more species than Noah’s ark.
The barn contained its own unique ecosystem. Our cattle and pigs ate the grain that we fed them and we, in turn, dined on pork and beef. Mice and pigeons scavenged leftovers from the livestock and the cats, in turn, operated a booming business that focused on the acquisition of rodent- and avian-based proteins.
We kids knew all about the circle of life long before anyone heard of the movie Lion King.
The main rule of playing in the barn was that there were no rules. My seven siblings and I could do almost anything we liked as long as it didn’t involve getting hurt. “If you fall and break your neck, don’t come running to me!” was the only guidance we received from our parents as we trotted toward the barn.
This lack of regulations was liberating. For instance, we were free to climb the barn’s wall ladder to whatever height we liked. If you were a smaller child, a rung or two might be enough. But if you were a testosterone-addled adolescent, the sky (in this case, the rafters) was the limit.
Driven by juvenile bravado, I once climbed the ladder all the way to the top. Upon reaching the apex, I clambered onto the rafters and glanced earthward. A mistake. I had stared resolutely at the barn’s wall during my ascent. Looking down, I was able to see exactly how high I was. My younger siblings seemed tiny, as if they were little kids. Which they were, but they appeared so much smaller from up there.
I realized that falling and breaking my neck wasn’t an option. Several dozen things would fracture if I fell.
I decided to go for the holy grail. Ignoring years of pigeon residue, I crawled across the diagonal rafter braces until I reached the cupola. I had gazed up at that gothic wooden structure innumerable times. At last I would get to see it from the inside and enjoy a pigeon’s-eye view!
A sweeping vista of our farmstead spread below me. The Holsteins in our cattle yard were pint-sized toys; our Leghorns looked like two-legged cotton balls. A passing cloud seemed close enough to touch.
Peering downwards, I could see the entirety of the barn’s yawning interior: the kingdom of cows and cats.
The game Hide and Seek was invented in our barn. As soon as we noticed that a mother cat had transformed from a furry cantaloupe into a four-legged stick figure, the game was afoot. Whoever found the new litter of kittens was awarded naming rights. We were lightyears ahead of modern-day corporations who expend vast sums for the privilege of slapping their names on impersonal, non-purring sporting venues.
Our Leghorns also liked to hide things. It was our mission to find the clutches of eggs that the hens had concealed throughout the barn’s labyrinthine nooks and crannies.
Some hens were surprisingly cunning, and we wouldn’t find their nests for quite a while. In those situations, we learned to be careful when collecting eggs. An egg might feel unusually light, as if it were filled with an extremely stinky gas and was about to explode. A muffled “pop!” would announce the bad news. So it was that we invented the maxim, “Last one out is a rotten egg!”
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to investigate something. Because I’m pretty sure that a guy can cook bacon in a document scanner.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Jan 4, 2019 | Pigeons in the News
What do you think?
A reptile-themed magic act? Decoration tips of the 1980s? Snake handling on public display?
Would you believe pest control?
What we are looking at is Warren County Commissioner Bobby Johnson on a clear day in September 1988 demonstrating his community’s effort to frighten pigeons from the county courthouse.
Pigeons have a tendency to use such public buildings as regular roosts and restrooms, and they leave a mess.
This was not a new problem. The archives of The Augusta Chronicle make a consistent case that birds, most often pigeons, had been the plague of many seats of local government over the past century.
As this photo indicates, such problems often inspired remarkable measures. Here, for example, plastic snakes were attached to the building’s columns to scare away the birds.
“Bird shoots” aimed at solving the problem seem to have been regular events around Georgia courthouses even into recent times.
The Chronicle reported such an event in suburban Atlanta’s Gwinnett County in 1974. Its sheriff told The Associated Press that several men firing shotguns over several hours had bagged about 80 birds.
Their effort drew praise from Georgia’s legendary Secretary of State Ben Fortson, who said, “That’s the only way to get rid of pigeons.”
Fortson was something of a bird removal expert because he had spent years trying to rid Georgia’s gold-domed state Capitol of starlings, a smaller but more numerous winged nemesis.
Fortson said they tried to use guns, but state-sanctioned marksmen were overwhelmed. There were too many birds and firepower wasn’t working.
But fireworks did.
Fortson rattled their roosts with Roman candles. The birds departed and did not return, he said.
But pigeons seemed more pervasive.
In 1970, The Chronicle reported on pigeon problems plaguing several county seats – Sparta, Washington, Thomson and Madison. Shotguns were usually reached for to solve the problem.
Warren County’s inflatable plastic snakes were only marginally successful in 1988, according to county officials. The same was reported in Sylvania, where Screven County workers were trying to trap the pigeons but found that working the traps was time-consuming.
Taliaferro County might have had the best solution by letting nature take its course.
Screech owls had taken up housekeeping in the county seat of Crawfordville and kept the pigeons away from the courthouse. The screech owls also weren’t as messy as the pigeons.
“I let ’em come and go,” a county commissioner said.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Jan 2, 2019 | Pigeons in the News
In an appalling incident, a 70-year-old was beaten to death in Maharashtra’s Vasai on Friday night. Police have arrested nine people in this case.
The deceased, Ramachandra Raut, had filed a complaint with the police against some of the accused for allegedly stealing pigeons.
Angry over this action by the septuagenarian, the accused went to his house and beat him.
Here’s what happened.
Raut claimed his pet pigeons were stolen
What happened
On Friday morning, Raut had told Vasai police that two people stole his pet pigeons.
Vasai police station’s Inspector Rajendra Kamble said taking cognizance of the complaint, the police served notices to the accused.
To maintain peace in the locality, they were given warning under Section 149 CrPC, he added.
But the accused didn’t like that Raut went to police.
Accused went to Raut’s house, assaulted him
The abuse
At around 7:30 PM, the accused gathered seven others, including women, and went to Raut’s house.
They started yelling at him and warned him of dire consequences for going to the police. Raut’s son Bandhu, who is 25 years old, was also shouted at.
When Raut intervened, the people started beating him. They rained kicks and blows on him and one allegedly strangled him.
Hospital declared Raut brought dead
Action
Raut was rushed to the Sir DM Petit Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. He sustained injuries on his head, neck, and back.
A case was registered under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
The people who have been arrested
Fact
The nine who were arrested are Mayur Sachin Raut, Sachin Gharat, Avinash Tandel, Abhishek Raju Kolekar, Sureka Raju Kolekar, Sneha Sachin Gharat, Ranjana Chandrakant Tandel, Raju Tukaram Kolekar, and Reena Sachin Gharat. They were remanded in police custody by a Vasai court on Saturday.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Dec 31, 2018 | Pigeons in the News
THE Carlow and District Racing Pigeon Club celebrated its annual awards night and a great year at Carpenter’s bar recently.
Founded in 1965, the clubhouse is still located at Lower Pollerton Road and the club currently has 27 members.
Carlow and District, Barrowvalley, Naas and Newbridge pigeon racing clubs have formed a federation and race every week. Typically, 1,000 birds are raced every week.
Tom Moore is one of the club’s founding members and is still actively involved. He won an old bird race this year from Macroom (107 miles), beating 947 other birds.
PJ Nangle is another long-standing member and did the club proud this year by winning the Old Bird National from Skibereen (133 miles) competing against 3,577 pigeons from every county in Ireland, north and south.
Along with this, he won three old bird races and two young bird races in the club this year.
The club’s annual awards night this year was held in Carpenter’s bar with 16 individual members receiving trophies.
Donal Begley won the young bird and old bird averages, the old bird derby and the Caulfield Cup. And James O’Connor did very well, too, winning the young bird derby along with two young bird races.
All of the club members would like to thank committee members PJ Nangle and Colin Nolan for their hard work and dedication, which is much appreciated. Special thanks also goes to John Dowling for his sterling efforts in keeping the clubhouse running every week.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Dec 30, 2018 | Pigeons in the News
New York City’s official bird, the humble pigeon, is ubiquitous, intelligent, nutritious (uh, for hawks) and extremely helpful. But they get really thirsty, especially after eating a bagel. On Thursday, one man decided to give one pigeon a hand by turning on a water fountain.
Steven Pesantez and Mariel Mitkowski were at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George when they saw the pigeon perched on the fountain. “The pigeon was just sitting there and he looked thirsty,” Pesantez recounted. “So I decided to get up and help the little guy.”
Mitkowski filmed the exchange, and Pesantez admitted, “I expected him to stay for a little bit but I didn’t expect him to start drinking!”
“It felt cool to help out the pigeon,” he said. “It was very zen.”
Very zen, and also a much better use of a water fountain than an impromptu doggy bidet.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Dec 23, 2018 | Pigeons in the News
Different people have different hobbies. In my childhood rearing and flying pigeons was one of the common hobbies in the down town area particularly. Four five decades before one could see pigeon towers erected on roof tops called as Kotar Adda after every ten fifteen houses and the pigeon flyers would at times remain on roof tops from morning till evening and have there meals also who where considered to be chronic pigeon flyers known as “Kaini Kotarbaz”
These pigeon flyers were known for the sharp eye sight and patience. They could visiuallise any pigeon whether same is male or female even though pigeon was flying very high because the game or trade was dependent on that. Pigeon had their own names like Zag, Chattur, Tichal etc because some males were considered efficient in enticing female of any other Adda while flying to his own Adda so were some females expert in bringing some male pigeons to there own Adda. Every flyer was trying his best to send his pigeons in the sky to bring the pigeons of others to his own Adda through this process and this exercise at times gave commercials dividends also.
Most unfortunately our political class as seen these days is nothing more that these pigeon towers where we see one political figure be it ex minister, legislator, office bearer or worker running from one adda to another that too so fast keeping the possibility of forth coming assembly elections in view. The way pigeon is not loyal to any adda permanently the same way these political pigeons have no principles, ideology, conviction and dedication for the betterment of the people but only and only goal is to grab power and amass wealth at the cost of human blood and in this process it seems they have all undergone invisible plastic surgery of having shameless faces. The result is obvious because this unfortunate State has tasted all the known parties in power who have proved worse than one another in every respect yet brazenly and facelessly again and again go to the people and ask for their votes. Those who swore on the holy book not to take part in electoral politics are eyeing for contesting all seats. Those who gained public support against communal politics after winning good number of seats aligned with the same for the sake of power and worse sufferers were the people who voted them. Those who enjoyed power with the blessings of Delhi throughout are trying now to raise their voice against powers at the centre only and only to hoodwink the gullible people with the sole purpose of somehow to gain power for their vested interests. We are most unfortunate people for not having a political class who is not wedded to any principles and ideology for the sake of power for which people could vote and trust them that is why none of them are respected by people in the heart of their hearts. Worst kind of human rights violations a decade before were ignored by the party in power and propagated by opposition and when the same opposition came to power they changed the role and did still worse and party in opposition now started beating the drum.
Those who condemned militancy few months before and paid their respects to those soldiers who were killed in operations by laying wreaths on there body is now after losing power condoling the demise of militants which is the reverse gear of the said political party.
This is the peak season of our political pigeons for running from one Adda to another while assessing the prospects of each Adda to gain power without any remotest interest for the betterment and progress of the people and public also is to be made accountable for not assessing the least evil amongst the class of devils we all are caught in.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
