Bird Flu Updates
March 4th, 2026
Thank you to everyone that came to the BHW Show of the Year 2024 over the weekend, whether as a fancier, trader, official or staff. It was another great weekend, and a full report will follow over the next few days. (Image below courtesy of Craig Szlatoszlavek.) The results (subject to ring verification etc) […]
The RPRA National Awards for 2023 have now been determined. As with the last few years, the majority were decided by coefficient calculations, and others by decision of the RPRA Council (marked *). The award winners are listed below – our congratulations to them all. The full list, including performances and calculations, can be seen […]
Dickin Medal winning carrier pigeon, Mary of Exeter, is the subject of a new beautifully illustrated children’s book – “Mary, The Pigeon Who Never Gave Up”. Written by Katie Villa & Simon Hall, the book is illustrated by Rosie Race and the People of Exeter. ‘Mary is a pigeon. A very fast, rather cheeky pigeon […]
RPRA President Les Blacklock and his wife Meryl attended the annual remembrance gathering at the National Animals in War Memorial, Brook Gate, Park Lane, London, when 27 animal charities and organisations were present. Following a one minute’s silence, Cath Bourg from the Pet Plan Charitable Trust announced that this year marked the 80th anniversary of […]
Helping each other to keep down costs and encourage positive public relations Now that the young bird season has begun, I would like to remind our members that there are rules governing the repatriation of our birds, and the most important is the wing stamp or telephone number on a ring. By abiding by these rules, a […]
The pigeon loft at King’s Hawford School, Worcester, featured on the BBC‘s Great Railway Journeys last night. Click on the image above to watch the episode on iPlayer.
Following the update on new Rule 238 below, clock setters please be aware that the scheduled annual maintenance shutdown of the MSF service to allow safe working on the masts and antennas is taking place from today until Friday 7th July. The service will be off air from 8am until 6pm each day, including weekends. […]
Copeland Memory Matters and Later Life Group (NHS) decided, along with Age UK, to hold a pigeon race to support Dementia Action Week 2023. This was the sixth such race in the last seven years. A good turn out of service users, carers, staff and social workers gathered on the harbour at Whitehaven, at lunchtime, […]
A new revamped British Homing World – the weekly journal of the RPRA – has been launched this week. With a refreshed layout and larger text size, which is easier to read, it has a much more professional and up-to-date look. The size has also changed to tabloid. There is the same topical news from […]
Documents required for channel racing in 2023 As channel racing approaches, it is important to completely understand what is required to present to the veterinarian in attendance at the marking stations. There are five documents the vet will ask for before you will be allowed to enter your pigeons – download examples here. The documents […]