Lanarkshire Federation - Eastbourne Open

The last race of the old bird season, we arrive at Eastbourne in the south east coast of England, around 396 miles back into lower central Scotland. The convoy of around 600 birds were liberated on Friday at 06 45 in no wind. The weather looked good up until the Scottish borders and then more frequent showers were about.

This race can only be described as a "disaster" with only a small percentage of the birds homing on the day and into the next. It was really disappointing end to what had been an excellent season for returns. The winner was over 100ypm ahead of the convoy which tells you the story of a very hard race for our birds. The winning velocity was 1085 and only 12 other pigeons managed a 900 velocity.

This week’s winner of 1st sect,1st Open as stated earlier beating the convoy by over 100ypm was to the loft of Jim Hendrie & Sons from Salsburgh village on the east side of the federation The father and sons partnership have showed an excellent level of consistency over the years and it’s no surprise that they have managed to win the longest race of the season.

Jim Hendrie (L) with sons Danny and Thomas with their brilliant Open winner

Their winner was a yearling check  hen who was at the previous weeks Alnwick (92 miles) race and a 15 mile trainer on the Tuesday night before basketing on Wednesday night .Its breeding is from the best of  Davie Atkin Jan Hoomans lines.

Well done to Jim, Danny and Thomas on a cracking result and a pigeon that was obviously well motivated to get home. Thanks to Danny for the information on his winner.

Andrew McBurnies winner of 5th Open is a g/son of 5th Open SNRPC Reims from a mothers side. The mother of this pigeon won RPRA award for Andrew  when he raced in Glasgow federation The sire is a Jan Arden which raced steady without much success.  

5th Open Eastbourne for Andrew McBurnie who had an excellent old bird season finishing 5th on the Old Bird Average Board.

No other photos or information was sent in.

Top ten winners in Eastbourne Open

1st J Hendrie & Sons 1085

2nd R Smith 979

3rd T Richardson

4th C & E McMillan

5th A McBurnie

6th T Richardson

7th M Findlay

8th Gault & Quinn

9th Polockus & Feelie

10th GWP Macaloney

Old Bird Average Final report

1st GWP Macaloney 1316

2nd C & E  McMillan 1274

3rd D Allison

4th J Hendrie & Sons

5th A McBurnie

6th J Green & Son

7th T Richardson

8th T McGinn

9th Gault & Quinn

10th Wilson & Cairns

Well done to GWP Macaloney on winning another Old Bird Average 17 out of past 20 years. Phenomenal level of flying. Their results will never be equalled.

Paul & Wullie Macaloney win the Old Bird Average.

Tom Corrie jnr

Lanarkshire Federation Press Officer

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