Peregrines anger pigeon fanciers - and flood organ! fans!A
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 blaming 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."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
