PIGEON racers up across the country are scrambling to find 5,000 birds that have gone missing after a race on Saturday.

A race from Peterborough to the North East saw 9,000 pigeons taking part in what would normally be a three-hour competition but more than half have yet to arrive.

 

Atmospheric conditions are the only explanation that has been put forward so far.

Richard Sayer said: “It's been a really bad weekend racing not just here in the North East it's right across the UK at present people very unsure what has happened there is still lots and lots pigeons still missing in action.

“A lot of people think this is due to something in the atmosphere - like a solar storm above the clouds. Just wanted to raise the awareness for anyone who comes across a racing pigeon to feed, water and let rest and 80 per cent chance the birds will get on their way after this after a few days.

“Out there is tens of thousands of racing pigeons that are tired and lost, the static atmospheric conditions are more than likely to blame and resulted in the majority not finding their way home.

“There’s a chance someone reading this will have one land in their garden or workplace if you do then please don’t ignore it, put down a bowl of water and some seed/rice to help it on its way, you’ll know it’s a race bird as it will have rings around its feet.

“If you’re unsure what to do then message or call me and I’ll advise, if you can contain it, I’ll gladly call round to try and get them back to the rightful owners.”

Mr Sayer flies as Sayers bros & son from Skinningove in East Cleveland which has kept pigeon for the last 50 years.

There were roughly 3,500 to 5,000 pigeons racing and around 30 to 40 per cent missing after Saturday’s racing.

Mr Sayer added: “Ours raced from Peterborough which was roughly 140 miles to 200 miles across our combine We also have a young lad from Whitby called Kyle Douglass who goes out of his way and gets lots of lost birds collected and returned he runs Whitby stray Centre he does a fantastic job.”

Each pigeon has an identification ring on with a code and number and can be reported via www.rpra.org/stray-reporting