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Continued from page 9 heat, are critical. But in the end, it comes down to conditioning.” Andy inspects each bird before a race with an expert's eye — and touch. “A fleshy, rounded breast, light weight, and shiny, unruffled feathers indicate a bird who’s fit, rested, and ready to race,” he says, stroking one of his birds lightly to illustrate. “I also watch them in the loft before putting them in competition to ensure they're alert and active.” A transport collects competitors’ birds the night before the race. Using GPS, the driver locates a pre-scouted site. If the weather’s agreeable the next morning, up to 1,500 pigeons take flight at once... and they’re off! Observing weather conditions, Andy can predict his birds’ ap- proximate arrival time. Pigeons, remarkably, can maintain speeds of 80 kilometres per hour on a windless day, and can reach 120 km/hr witha tailwind. The margin of victory will often be measured in scant seconds. Within sight of home, Andy releases “droppers” — birds who fly at close range to lure incoming racers — to minimize time otherwise wasted in circling. An electronic band on each bird’s foot marks its return time on re-entering the loft, though a com- puter will have the final say on the day’ 's winner. “The computer tabulates each bird’s velocity in metres per minute. That equalizes the results, since every fancier’s ‘finish line’ is a different distance from the start.” The racing season runs from May to July for “old birds” (those over one year), with young birds (born 412 FOCUS - OCTOBER 2009 that year) from August to October. Andy’s most successful season saw him capture half of his club’s races and register three wins among “combines,” which gather partici- pants from other regions. Like horses, a racing pigeon’s dotage — following 4-5 years’ compe- tition — means retiring to stud. (Nice work if you can get it, one bird told me with a grin.) At this point in their lives, Andy finally names each. “J try not to develop attachments to the racing birds,” he explains. “There's always the chance of loss from hawks and wires every time they're out.” Andy’s 100-odd birds demand 12 months a year attention, though their maintenance schedule eases after the race season. The birds must of course still be fed — a 12-grain mixture — and the loft cleaned daily. Its mostly spotless floors and surpris- ingly fresh smell are testament to his relentless commitment. “I keep a breeze blowing through the loft,” he says. “Just like us, the birds like a clean smell.” He chuckles at that cue, as if sens- ing the subject of pigeons’ tainted inner city reputation had to surface eventually. His answer provides something of a twist on the tradition- al tale. “Discovery Channel interviewed me for their ’10 Worst Pests in the World’ series. I told the other side of the story: that my birds are trained to be quite clean.” So is pigeon racing a hobby ora sport to Andy? He's used the words interchangeably during our discus- sion, and takes a moment to ponder the difference. a mamory hor you 905-5706-21 Pigeons lined up in their secure roost. “From day to day, training and clean- ing, it’s my hobby,” he concludes before quickly adding: “And on weekends when I’m competing, it’s a ort.” Just like the birds he tends, powerful unseen forces draw Andy Pallotta regularly back to the pigeon loft. A piece of his heart lives there, too. By Scott Mercer Focus on Scugog ( Hee den R aL, Maw wilh children or ssion f Nice AesAion hee wow gallery 282.com