by Ryan Ponto | Mar 7, 2017 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent
A Nottinghamshire bar has been taken to court after failing to clean up a yard found full of dead birds and droppings.
Mansfield business Pacha Lounge Ltd – which claims to provide “a warm, atmospheric destination for the discerning patron” offering cocktails and sharing platters – has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 for a health and safety offence.
At Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on March 2, the company admitted failing to comply with a council order to clean up its side yard served under the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974.
It was fined £5,000 by the court on March 8 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170 plus costs of £1,062. The magistrates also ordered Pacha Lounge Ltd to complete the work required by the Improvement Notice by April 6.
Mansfield District Council took legal action after the company failed to comply with an order requiring the Market Place business to clean its side yard and remove both live and dead pigeons in order to reduce the risk of infection to employees and anyone else who entered the yard.
The court was told council environmental health officers visited Pacha Lounge after receiving a complaint and found damaged bird proofing at the side of the premises, dead pigeons on the yard floor and large amounts of droppings on the floor as well as on items stored there.
Xhetan Bushi, a director of the company, was advised work was required to improve the yard but this was not carried out within a reasonable time so the council then issued an Improvement Notice – but after the company failed to act the council prosecuted.
Portfolio holder for public protection Councillor Mick Barton, speaking after the case, said: “Companies do have a responsibility for health and safety, and the council will act, where necessary, to ensure that companies meet that obligation.”
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 Ryan Ponto | Feb 23, 2017 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent
IT is not often one takes notice of a pigeon, but with the help of kindhearted Karyn Lund and a small push from social media, a six-week old racing pigeon was returned to its owner.
Something happened during one of its first flights, forcing it to land. With his luck he landed in food heaven, the Campus Cafe at Curro HCA High School. “Being a huge animal lover, cruelty-free living is my family’s thing, I Googled what the right thing to do was. Apparently homing pigeons like to hang out for a few days and then sometimes make their way home,” said Karyn Lund, the tuckshop owner.
The pigeon, nicknamed Mr Snax due to his love for popcorn and fries, found that Karyn’s handbag was the perfect place to nest. “Without wanting to be too invasive I eventually coaxed him into allowing me to pick him up. I retrieved the number off of the ring on his foot and asked for help on Upper Highway Info. Within minutes I had located his dad, Bruce Symons, and he is happy and back home with his pigeon friends,” said Karyn.
The Highway Mail caught up with Bruce to find out more about the sport of pigeon racing. The 40-year-old father of two is a member of the Hillcrest Pigeon racing Club which has 12 members, who are better known as pigeon fanciers. “The sport has been going on for hundreds of years and the local club has been running since 1976. In the old days it was called the poor man’s horse racing, It isn’t so much like that anymore as it definitely isn’t a cheap sport now,” he laughed.
What inspired you to get into pigeon racing?
When I was a child I had pigeons and it was a passion. I started racing in 2002 and there’s a drive to get better and better.
How do you train a pigeon?
It starts at home. When April arrives we chase the pigeons out the loft and do that for a couple of days. When they fly away from home we call it ranging. They then get their bearings right. The training consists of a 30km trip, then 50km, 90km. 120km and then 150km until we have the long training toss, sometimes ranging up to 800km. The birds fly back home from a certain point.
What is the worst part of pigeon racing?
Breeding the babies and the natural predators catch them. It is heartbreaking when you lose them. We lose about 40 per cent of our pigeons to wildlife.
What is the most rewarding part of racing for you?
When the pigeons come home. When that pigeon comes back, he has not only come back home but he has come back for you. I get goosebumps every time.
What three words would you use to describe the sport?
Rewarding. Exciting. Humbling.
Has a pigeon never returned before?
It does happen where a pigeon doesn’t come back. They could have been caught or killed and some of them just decide they don’t want to race anymore and become commons, a feral pigeon or rats of the sky.
What is the average time you need to train a pigeon?
To train a pigeon to fitness you only need six weeks.
Which breed of pigeon works best in the races?
The pacific racing pigeon as they have more muscle and better brain capacity.
How many pigeons do you currently own?
I have 130 babies and about 50 old birds.
Describe your typical competition day:
I am generally pacing up and down. Get a bottle of wine from my wife and we put on a potjie or braai.
Complete this sentence: Pigeons are… “the athletes of the sky.”
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 Ryan Ponto | Feb 4, 2017 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent
Sunday was not just the polling day for Old City. It was also a day for setting up the traditional weekly ‘kabootar mandi’ (pigeon market) on the lane that runs adjacent to Company Bagh. Despite the poll fever, which had the entire city in its grips, the spirit of the pigeon handlers remained high and they turned up in good numbers to purchase the birds of their choice.
It is believed that the ‘kabootar mandi’ is the preferred destination of pigeon handlers from all parts of the country. “‘Shauk badi cheez hai’ (hobby / interest means a lot). That’s why we are here all the way from Varanasi to buy pigeons of a specific breed,” said Mohammed Salman, a pigeon handler fond of ‘Kabootar-baazi’ (pigeon racing).
The sport, said Salman , is an age-old tradition from the time of the Nawabs and the Mughals, who started and promoted the practice. “It is as common as reading, listening to music, swimming or any other hobby,” Salman told HT.
This pigeon market too is an old one, going back to the times of the Nawabs. It includes some 100-odd makeshift shops, neatly arranged alongside the road. They sell a variety of pigeons, including some much sought-after species. “We deal in all varieties, including Bedag, Ambarsaria, Saldaar, China, Shajahanpuri, Hara Shajahanpuri, Girabaaz and many others,” said Shahbaaz Khan, a shop owner.
Each variety has its own speciality, he added. “The key factor that guides a handler’s preferences is the pigeon’s ability to fly for a long time. Girabaaz can fly non-stop for 12 hours. It’s the most preferred species and costs around Rs 1,200-10,000,” said Khan.
Javed Khan, a pigeon handler who bought birds worth Rs 23,000 on the day, said, “Generally, there are two sports that are common among pigeon handlers. In one, the competing handlers will set of their group of pigeons (both groups having equal number of birds). While coming back, whichever group has more pigeons in it, that handler wins the contest. The second type involves solo flight – where only one pigeon per handler is set off. In this, the ability of the pigeon to fly for a long time will ultimately decide who gets to be the winner,” he explained.
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 Ryan Ponto | Jan 23, 2017 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent
The annual British Homing World Show came Blackpool from the 21-22 January 2017. This year’s event marked a special occasion as it is the 40th anniversary that the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) has held the event at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
Show participants bring more than 2,000 homing pigeons making it the largest event of its kind in Europe. With 200 exhibitors stands for everything pigeon, organisers anticipate around some 15,000 visitors over the course of the weekend.
The RPRA has worked continuously with VisitBlackpool over the years to bring the event to the resort and ensure the visitors have a great weekend.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Blackpool was decorated with welcome banners and a giant pigeon flag will fly from the flagpole at the top of Blackpool Tower.
Two giant “pigeons” in the form of Mr and Mrs Pigeon were in resort on January 21st to entertain visitors to the show.
Ian Evans, RPRA General Manager is delighted the 40th year in Blackpool will be his first year in charge. He said “This is a massive event in our calendar and it always proves to be hugely popular. Not only have you got the attraction of so many pigeons and fanciers in one place but it also gives our members the opportunity to enjoy a weekend away”.
The British Homing World Show of the Year takes place over two days at Blackpool Winter Gardens with the iconic Empress Ballroom hosting the main event.
Council Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council said: “We are delighted to welcome the RPRA back to Blackpool. The show provides a great boost to the local economy; January is usually a quiet month for most seaside resorts but events like this proves that Blackpool is open for business all year round.
“In particular, I am thrilled to congratulate them on the 40th anniversary show here in Blackpool, this is truly a fantastic achievement and we hope to see them return for many years to come”.
Every year visitors to the show have helped to raise money for various charities, with nearly £3 million raised so far.
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 Ryan Ponto | Jan 21, 2017 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent
For most birds, wings are for flying. For penguins, they’re for swimming. But for Rock Pigeons, they’re also for clapping. Startle a flock of Rock Pigeons, and you’ll hear something like this: Rock Pigeon wing claps.
When Rock Pigeons erupt into flight, some of them may slap their wings together above their bodies. It’s called a “wing clap.”
A male Rock Pigeon will do this when courting. He’ll posture and coo alongside a female …
… then fly sharply upward in an aerial display. The brisk series of claps is a shout-out of his courtship plans to the female watching from the rooftop.
Short-eared Owls have evolved wing-clapping, too. These medium-sized owls fly by day on long wings, rounded at the tip. And mostly they fly slowly, gracefully, like enormous moths. But when a male displays to a female or attempts to warn off an intruder, he snaps his wings together below his body in a burst of two to six claps per second, producing a sound that sounds remarkably like…applause.
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 Ryan Ponto | Jan 12, 2017 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent
DOWNTOWN — Sarah Thompson knows she’s not alone in her appreciation of Chicago’s massive pigeon population.
“Most wildlife runs away when you’re near it, but pigeons will just walk next to you, and they don’t care,” said Thompson, the creator of “Chicago Pigeon Society” Facebook group. “You’re able to watch them while you’re close to them.”
Thompson, a former Lakeview resident who works in the Gold Coast, created the page in mid-2013 simply because she’s “always liked pigeons.” Her group has only a handful of members, but there are at least two other Facebook pages devoted to pigeons in the Windy City: “Chicago Pigeons,” which has more than 1,000 followers, and “Pigeons of Chicago,” which has a few dozen.
The “Chicago Pigeons” administrator declined to comment, while the admin for “Pigeons of Chicago” did not respond. Both of those pages, like Thompson’s, feature photos of pigeons flying, hanging out and feeding on Chicago’s streets.
Thompson’s favorite pigeons are the ones who chill at Connors Park near her office in the Gold Coast. She visits the park during the work week around lunch time.
“Sometime people feed them, even in front of a sign telling them not to,” Thompson said.
Thompson said a pigeon landed on her head once as she waited for a bus on the North Side. But that experience didn’t faze her in the least.
“I like that they’re not afraid of people,” she said. “They’re kind of underappreciated. People think of them as pests, but I think they’re interesting.”
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)
