2/26/2006

I received two birds for the Gold Band race this week from Tom Roach of Wisconsin. They look good, and since it was only? about 100 miles, he drove them in. I also have four of my birds in his loft for the Arrowhead Futurity.

My young birds have been staying in the loft except for weekends. When daylight savings time arrives, I will start to give them daily flights. I think it is safer and avoids night flights. I had one severe night flight last year, and it was not a good experience (see my loft logs from last year). They are locked out in the aviary all day, so they have plenty of fresh air and a good look at the surrounding area. Since the aviary is approximately 4’ x 12’ x 6.5’ high, they can fly a bit too.

The out-of-town birds I received a week ago will get out of the loft next weekend. That will have been at least two weeks in the loft. I plan on giving them a bath if it is warm enough, and letting them out. They are doing real well, and are coming like maniacs to the feed call every evening from the aviary. I only feed once a day, and with the cold weather it really makes the birds hungry. They look and feel good though, not skinny at all.

The hawk situation has been good, so far. I have not even seen a hawk. I am sure that will change as the weather gets warmer, but I take my blessings when I can get them.

Our ad in the Digest has hit this past week. I have received a few calls; bit should receive even more this week. Be sure to look for it in your issue.

I believe my Old Birds are behind schedule due to the cold weather. I am hoping that the weather starts to get above freezing every day, at least for a little while. It’s a bit treacherous too, with the ice being a bit slick to walk on.

2/19/2006

Several birds have now come in. I have put a young bird inventory on the web; with a link to each bird’s picture. I hope to have pictures of all of the birds, but I am behind already. I still have to take pictures of my own birds. I built a white wooden box to put the birds in for some good shots, but the first pictures I had to settle for a white 5-gallon pail. I will most likely re-shoot them.

The bird that went missing last week is still gone. I think an owl may have had its way with it, as I had a bit of trouble with an owl this week myself. It is amazing how large a Great Horned owl really is. The bird was removed from the area and relocated.

I have been letting my YB’s out only on the weekends as it still gets dark too fast these days. Hopefully in a month or so, it will be warmer and the daylight will last longer. The birds flew a bit last week, but this week they were content to be a bit lazy. I have been crating them up and giving them a toss from across the yard. That way they know they can fly and perhaps start loft flying and ranging sooner. The quicker they learn their way around home, the less I worry about hawks.

My old bird team is now together. It is 70 days before the first old bird race, and I am getting excited about the season. I have been talking a good race over the last month; so I hope I can do as good as I say I am going to do. If not, I will be buying several beers….again.

Out-of-area Gold Band sales have been going gangbusters. We have sold over 400 out of area bands. There should be a good pool of prize money, and great competition from many birds. There is also an advertisement in the digest in the next two issues.

It has been extremely cold here over the past week. I sometimes wonder why people ever settled here in the first place. While much of the winter so far has been easy, this ‘normal’ weather is beginning to get old. I have to lock the YB’s in the aviary every morning, and close the door to keep the heat in for the breeders. I will be glad when I can just leave the door to the aviary open and use the water hoses again.

I will be shipping some of my own birds down to the Gulf Coast Classic this week. It will be interesting to see how they do. This year, I am sending birds to several races, most of them in the Midwest.

2/13/2006

My youngsters have been doing some loft flying. One of them, the only non-gold banded bird that was out, must have gone a bit far and got lost. I saw it around the loft for the entire day, but the next morning there was no sign of him. Perhaps a hawk or wire got the best of him. Better now than on the first race.

I have banded several more youngsters over the past week, and several more to go. Many of these will be sent to other homes to race in futurities in other states. It will allow me to test my breeders and support other clubs races. I don’t want to crowd my Gold Band Birds, so off they go.

Our 2007 Midwest Convention Race is coming up fast and I want to handle a loft full of convention birds, so it is important for me to do well in this year’s Gold Band race. I anticipate that the race will be even better than last year, although several of the flyers that did well last year are already licking their chops. This year, with the racecourse directly from the South, the winds will be very different!

I separated my Old Birds team and the non-competitors this week. I will begin pairing on February 18, which is 70 days prior to my first Old Bird race. I am going to keep a few extra hens, but the extra cock birds I have to relieve from duties. They may be used as pumpers for a while, and them maybe take a stint on the Dog Training team. All Gold Band birds from last year will be headed for the Yearling Gold Band race. I have room for 18 pairs of Old Birds without over crowding.

This year, I have learned a bit more, watched some more videos, and have started to understand the Old Bird game. It is also going to help me in the Young Bird season. I still have not decided if I will race hens during the Old Bird season, or stick to strict widowhood. I am leaning towards racing hens too.

There is a possible strike looming for Northwest Airlines here in MN. While I do not think the Federal Bankruptcy judge will allow a strike, you never know. If it happens, it will be during the month of March. If your birds are close, you may want to send them earlier, rather than later. Watch the news. I can also get them via Delta Air Cargo. That works well and is extremely fast.

Gold Band sales have been very robust. We have already exceeded our last year’s numbers, and still have an ad going into the Digest this week. I look forward to a record-breaking year and a larger number of prizes in this race. It may be close to 1,200 birds entered in the race. They told me to sell bands, and that’s what I have been doing!

2/05/2006

My youngsters are hatching fairly well. I have sent some birds to the Arrowhead Futurity race here in WI. I also have some earmarked for the Gulf Coast Classic and Midwest Convention Race. I will have plenty of Gold Banded birds coming in, I do not need to save too many of my youngsters for the local races.

Gold Band sales are way ahead of last year. We have an ad coming in the Digest for the 2/15/2006 issue, so I hope that generates even more bands sales. I have been mailing out bands on a regular basis, and there are many new flyers in this year’s race. In 2007 we will have a Convention Race in lieu of the Gold Band race, so be sure to start planning on that race. A larger race with much larger purses and more events!

My few young birds I have in the loft were out on the landing board today. They have been trapping well all week, so it was their first time with actual freedom. A couple of them flew to the top of the settling cage, but none were ready to venture out any further.

It has turned cold here in Minnesota. For the first time in over a month it stayed below freezing the entire day. The folks in Spring Hill, FL are really starting to get my attention.

My Old Bird team is looking pretty well. I added another Widowhood box in the loft. That brings my Old Bird Team up to 17 pairs. I have a few extra birds, but I am going to wait a bit before I select the lower rung of the ladder. All Gold Banded birds from last year have a free pass. Due to the smash in last year’s Gold Band race, there are not as many birds in contention for the Yearling Gold Band Race. I should do well in that race; I think I have more yearling Gold Band birds than any other flyer.

There are many people new on this list, so I will reiterate my racing strategy. I generally send every young bird to every race – providing they flew less than eight hours the week prior. If they flew more, they rest a week. You will see how your Gold Banded birds are flying throughout the season, during the regular races. Some Combine races are 1500+ birds. I will probably skip the week before the Gold Band Race. I may ship a limited amount of birds, but most likely all rest the week prior to the race.

I know I will be receiving the first birds next week from some flyers, but if you have an anticipated arrival, it would be nice to know. Please email me the timeframe you think your birds will be here.