Our committee have spent many hours working on our 2008 Derby Race Schedule. Working around the raptor migration problem that plagued us in the past, by having the races later in the season, released with club birds to lessen the chances of entry losses, later in the year also gives a person an opportunity to enter late bred's from their race team. Another concern was the costs to participate in most derbies. For people that have to ship their birds, the cost of entry and shipping costs start to get out of hand, so our derby is placed as stated, giving many more opportunities to win.
If you want to see what your birds can do on a very challenging course, then we hope you consider entering our derby.
Plenty of camping space on site as well as hotels close by. Our Pig Roast has been kindly donated by Moby Meats and Hing Jang and of course thanks to our two great facilitators in Doug Chadwick and Wally Petrovic as they prepare to receive your entries.
May 22nd
We will start accepting birds on Saturday May 31st to allow for two complete weekends to try and assist people getting their entries to us.
May 30th
Our loft is ready and we are looking forward to receiving your birds. Please make sure that monies accompany the birds to the loft. The club would like to thank you all for your support. We are optimistic that our 2008 Derby will be a great success. Good Luck to everyone, and we'll continue to update this page with news as we have it.
June 20th
Birds are all out flying already. We are watching closely for any hawk or raptor problems. Early flights are all positive. The youngsters will be wormed and vaccinated shortly usual medications ongoing with multi vitamins. Looking good.
June 23rd
While worming the count was 77, so we have had 4 disappearances thus far. Birds are let out everyday and are kitting up already. A few hawk attacks but nothing drastic yet. Will do a complete inventory in a week or so to keep everyone notified and up to date.
July 4th
We are starting to train, first toss today. The YB's are let out to loft fly everyday, despite the falcon threat, as we have to get them down the road to be ready. As a consequence we have suffered some losses. The birds appear to be predator smart now and are exercising well when loft flown. We took an inventory prior to the first training toss and the following birds are MIA.
CAL 830, CAL 152, CAL 1927, MIRPS 473, MIRPS 469, MIRPS 1192, MP 1402, VIC 344, VIC 60, MIRPS 372, MIRPS 369, MIRPS 371, NR 3390, CU 8782.
A total of 14 birds. We are sorry for the losses to date and realize that this is disappointing for those affected. As before, we will continue to monitor for returns and will keep you posted. We are both hoping that this is the worst news we will have to relay for this years Derby.
Doug & Wally.
Mid Island Racing Pigeon Society
Chemainus, B C,
Phone: (250) 246-4073
