SANPO NATIONAL LOFT NEWSLETTER AUGUST
BY SAVILLE PENKIN

There have been reports that the pigeons in the National Loft were not healthy and that they were sitting on the roof when let out for exercise. This person also reported that some of the perches were broken, trap wires needed attention and the lofts had not been cleaned. This was a big disappointment to all with birds in the loft as these comments were circulated quite widely.

However, 4 days later, Ithriam Leukes one of the fanciers who has birds in the loft personally went to see how they returned from a training toss. He advised that the first five birds arrived after having been on the wing for just under an hour and still seemed full of vigour prior to trapping. The balance arrived minutes later in quite big packs. He remarked that the birds were still full of energy after completing their training and that they were shining and looked very fit on return. Ithriam also stated that not one pigeon was panting although it was a warm day and that they entered the loft quickly once down on the landing board. The last bird to arrive was over 2 hours on the wing and still flew around a while before trapping. He is convinced that the birds are in good hands and that their general health was good.

The birds had 100klm toss on Monday 2nd and returned very well and it is Yazeed’s intention to couple the electronic rings this weekend after which an updated list together with the revised race programme will be placed on the website.

The first Hotspot has been provisionally set for Tuesday 17th and should be from Maatjiesfontein with the main race expected to take place on Sunday 10th October. Once the updated list is available, fanciers will be asked to ensure that they make payment immediately but more importantly, before the first Hotspot on the 17th. Fanciers are asked to check the website for all news and updates, or alternatively, to contact Yazeed on 084 711 2830.

The Management would like to thank OB for attending the loft from 07h30 each day as well as Nick Greeff for visiting the loft regularly and issuing reports to SANPO on his findings. A big thanks to Ithriam for taking the time and trouble to spend time at the loft on the day the birds returned from training and for issuing an unbiased report on his findings.

A big thanks to Yazeed for accepting the responsibility of Loft Manager and all that he is doing for the birds including the arranging of the transport which has always been a big problem.