I started my pigeon work at the field station Pigeon Wood. The last wild population of Pink Pigeons were found in this cosy (wet) wood, which is made up of mostly Japonese pine, Criptomera. Set approximately 600 metres above sea level this station is the house in the clouds, complete with a lot of rain, sometimes 70+mm of rainfall over night (Big 'ol noisy dollops of rain!!!). Now the birds have dispersed into hunting woodland, Les Meres Chasse, over the valley on the plateau behind the station, and so the search for these new territories began...
Over the last days of April I was trained by Cassandra Ridley, AKA 'Special Pigeon Agent' for her multitasking, hardcore outlook and sheer determination. Our mission: To boldly go where no pigeon worker has gone before...
...and radio track to find new pigeon territories. So off we trekked 6km around a mountain track to the remote field station, Combo. A little string harness attached the device and aerial to the bird and the antennae was held aloft and we listened for the beeps to point in the direction of the male. We narrowed down the area the two birds were likely to be (loud beeps) and had managed not to fall over in mud holes made by fat boar!
The pigeons are fun to watch and I am eating well thanks to Cassie's fine cooking and am trying to go to bed earlier and not keep her up with my excited banter! The month ends with full MWaF support for Echo Parakeet Co-ordinator's entry in the Royal Raid. This was a grueling 26 mile offroad running race up and down the Black River Gorges. Yes, a marathon, X-country style and up and down a steep gorge! Yes, I know he's a bit of a legend! We dutifully waved banners, wore slogan bin bags and cheered v.loudly.
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