Night Flying

[MIL]

I've had the pleasure of visiting a lot of outstanding lofts on the continent over the years; so I appreciate that the terrain (especially in the Netherlands) is very different to here in the UK. However, I'm always amazed at these few pigeons who manage to keep going and stick the time on the wing in order to get home

Here's one example of what I mean 17 hrs 51 she was on the wing

[goose1]

There seems to be more night fliers on the continent than there used to be, especially in Holland. What's your thoughts on it Mike? Man made lighting must play a part? Although I'll be honest I have very little knowledge of the lay out of the land in Holland. Either way exceptional pigeons to stick at it

[MIL]

Yes I mean where they've got the benefit of some fom of lighting it's still nigh on 18 hrs on the wing

I always think there's plenty of birds will fly 10 hrs. Less will do 12 hrs. Even fewer have the capacity, breeding, fitness, courage and moivation to stick 14 hrs + on the wing. But nigh on 18 hrs on the wing, you gotta take your hat off to her.

These birds of Ad's on the link below weren't on the wing as long - but look at their arrival times

The first cock was timed at 02:41; and the year before he'd been timed at 01:13 !!

https://www.pipa.be/en/articles/ad-fort ... s-national

[Devo1956]

No doubt there is a lot we have learned from distance flyers in Europe, from breeding, feeding and preparation of birds for distance racing. To me I like the lines from this family of birds.

https://youtu.be/ITxj3ujlw4A?si=n4xP7c54xGGe8GRU

[MIL]

Etienne has done well; no doubts anout it with the core being "Yelena"

Personally, for me, the gene pool that Ad Fortuin is working with is simply world class - hence the results

https://www.pipa.be/en/fanciers/4369/fortuin-ad

[Diamond Dave]

A little known dutchman who won the international Marseille last year, Rieks Lonsaine, is apparantely well set up for night flyers.
Not that I have seen it but I have it on good authority from someone who has, that he has a large garden which along ith his lofts that is floodlit specifically for the purpose and I'm told he even trains into the darkness.

[MIL]

Yep, it's a big part of the game over there.

[goose1]

Yes I mean where they've got the benefit of some fom of lighting it's still nigh on 18 hrs on the wing

I always think there's plenty of birds will fly 10 hrs. Less will do 12 hrs. Even fewer have the capacity, breeding, fitness, courage and moivation to stick 14 hrs + on the wing. But nigh on 18 hrs on the wing, you gotta take your hat off to her.

These birds of Ad's on the link below weren't on the wing as long - but look at their arrival times

The first cock was timed at 02:41; and the year before he'd been timed at 01:13 !!

https://www.pipa.be/en/articles/ad-fort ... s-national

I was going to say I'm sure I remember Fortuin clocking a few night fliers last year. He did have a brilliant season.

[MIL]

He's top class that bloke. World class

[king]

Nothing but admiration for the birds & fanciers that can achieve these performances. I recall UK fanciers also doing this also. One fancier that springs to mind was Wilson Noble of Fraserburgh. His great hen 'Black Rocket' was clocked after 17 hours 40 mins to win 1st Section, 11th Open SNFC flying 663 miles.(the race winner flew 178 miles less) Black Rocket was also 9th Fed Avranches 624 miles flying 17 hours 25 mins.
Some of his other performances include a 70% success rate from Palamos some 1,113 miles!

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