Peregrine falcons are costing Derry pigeon fanciers thousands of pounds each year., it's been claimed.
And it's suggested that that the organ in St Eugene's Cathedral could also be suffering!
Pigeon fanciers were enraged last week when Derry PSNI Sergeant Sam Young issued a warning that anyone who harmed a falcon may be prosecuted.
They're blami
ng the falcons for losses among their prized birds.
Pigeon fancier and Sinn Fein Councillor Billy Page told the 'Journal' that Derry's five pigeon racing clubs were in the process of reporting their members' losses RSPB in an effort to stem the killing in the skies.
"Fanciers are very frustrated because there is nothing they can do. We're asking fanciers to report lost pigeons to the local federation so that the information can be passed on to the RSPB."
Colr Page said that one possible solution would be to capture Derry's peregrines and release them elsewhere.
He added: "There've been a lot of attacks on birds in the Buncrana Road area recently. I've even had my own birds attacked in Ballymagroarty. I believe there are several peregrine falcons in the area apart from the well-known one at St. Eugene's Cathedral."
St. Eugene's administrator, Fr Michael Canny has agreed to a request from pigeon fanciers to have the remains of the Cathedral falcon's meals in the spire checked for evidence of racing pigeons. He added: "The birds' remains cause a blockage in the gutters and the water banks up and drops down into the pipes of the organ, flooding it."
