A REPRESENTATIVE of the Northern Ireland Provincial Amalgamation of Racing Pigeons this week described plans for discussions with bird conservation representatives as "encouraging" following controversy over the apparant use of a live pigeon as bait near a Glenarm peregrine falcon nest.
Ken Wilkinson, committee member of the NIPA, said he had been in touch with Dr Marc Ruddock, a raptor researcher, since the Larne Times' story last week in which the finger of blame appeared to have been pointed at the pigeon racing fraternity.
T
he RSPB and the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group had highlighted a recent incident in Glenarm in which a live pigeon was tethered, apparently as bait, near one of Northern Ireland's longest-established peregrine nests at Glenarm's Dickeystown Road.
Conservationists also fear that a young peregrine from the nest has gone missing, suspected shot or poisoned.
"I have spoken to Marc Ruddock and a meeting of interested parties is going to be set up," said Mr Wilkinson.
"I see this as a positive move and and welcome the opportunity to discuss the Glenarm matter and the wider issue," he said.
Mr Wilkinson said he had been in Larne on Saturday to talk to local pigeon racers about the Dickeystown Road situation.
"I met with some of the Larne fanciers and they are annoyed that the finger is being pointed at them. Pigeon racing is very much a family-orientated sport and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and even if they have disabilities. We want to be able to sit round the table with the RSPB and the raptor study people to see if there's a way forward.
"I think the RSPB do know the problems that the pigeon fraternity face because of birds of prey and it would be good to have the opportunity for them to talk to people face-to-face. The opportunity for dialogue is to be welcomed," he said.
