Birds of prey are threat to race pigeons

TARGETED Racing pigeon ONE of Britain’s top pigeon racers says the birds are under threat from rising numbers of peregrines and sparrowhawks.

Max Gollop says he has lost more than 100 pigeons since he started racing in 1983 and blames the blanket-protected status given to birds of prey.

He said: “This year so far I’ve lost two. I have loads of mates who have lost birds, and some of them can be worth up to £20,000.”

He recently watched a peregrine catch a pigeon in its huge talons as it was flying above his loft in Lyme Regis, Dorset.

He said: “It was pitiful to watch as it was taken off.

“It can be heartbreaking. I think birds of prey are fantastic, they’re lovely to watch – but that comes at a cost to us fanciers.”