Immediately following the incident the Irish Aviation Authority met with the Irish Homing Union and the Northern Ireland Pigeon Racing Association and it was agreed to ban the release of racing pigeons on the East Coast. However it was made clear that if the westward shift of race routes did not solve the problem then “more formal, regulatory methods” would be introduced. Currently there is no legislation in the U.K. governing racing pigeons, although the rules of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association ban race starts within eight miles of an airport.

Racing pigeons are particularly dangerous to aircraft because they are heavy, they fly in compact flocks on low flight paths which means they tend to hit planes at the most vulnerable phases of flight: take off and landing, and the fact that their homing instinct makes them virtually immune to normal bird scaring techniques used at airports. World-wide there have been a number of both civil and military plane losses attributable to racing pigeons, most recently an executive jet which hit a flock near Italy’s Milan airport and crashed killing all those aboard.

While several VP & FPA club members normally attend, this year’s show looks particularly good with speciality meets for Syrian Breeds, American Flying Tumbler Club, American Dragoon Club, American Mookee Association, American Dove Association, Northwest Swallow Breeders and National American Roller Club, not to mention liberal plaque and cash prize awards.

This is a day and a half show worthy of our support so consider visiting our neighbours to the south and take the drive down to Lake Stevens (just outside Marysville). Exhibitors’ information and entry forms are available from Show Secretary, Roger Hansen, 13912 - 39th Drive NW, Marysville, Wa 98217 (360) 652-2493 . Entries must be postmarked no later than September 27, 2005.