Eyewitness: peregrine falcons face conflict with pigeon racers

The peregrine falcon is internationally an endangered species, listed in the Red Data books of countries as disparate as the United States, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

The bird's numbers are on the increase now as a result of a greener environment. In wartime Europe the falcon was persecuted for its taste for carrier-pigeons and in the 1960s it was hard hit by pesticides. But rogue elements among the country's 70,000 pigeon racers are poisoning peregrines. Up to 40 cases were reported to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds last year.

No one doubts that peregrines do take racing pigeons, which are similar to the rock doves on which they prey. But the government-backed raptor working group confirmed that birds of prey took less than 3 per cent of pigeons lost during races. Most casualties were caused by exhaustion, collision with overhead wires or buildings, or simply getting lost. While it will not condone illegal persecution, the Confederation of Long Distance Racing Pigeon Unions of Great Britain and Ireland wants action to protect its members' valuable assets. It has approached biologists at Lancaster University who are to begin trials in South Wales on methods of reducing the impact on racing pigeons.

Ian Hartley, lecturer in biological science at Lancaster, says that pigeons will be fitted with small devices such as reflective discs or wing transfers that look like large eyes. "The same sort of defence systems have evolved naturally in insects, so they may well work for pigeons, too. Attacking birds of prey are suddenly faced with the 'eyes' of a bird much larger than themselves and they should be put off the attack for long enough for the pigeons to escape.

"Pigeon fanciers are keen to see research into these methods. They do not think they are going to work but need to know from a scientific point of view."

Balloons and sonic devices on lofts are other ideas.

"If this does not work, something else needs to be done. If it does, it is good for everyone -the pigeon fanciers will lose fewer birds and the peregrines will be under fewer illegal threats," says Dr Hartley.