Arrivals with GPS Rings Melun 06/05/2023
First short middle distance race of the season on the program. Melun 320 km and 796 meters straight home.
78 pigeons entered, last week one yearling got lost.
The weather at the release site was uncertain again. I had a feeling that they would be able to release, but it could also turn out badly.
Fortunately, they were able to release at 8:00 a.m., and I could still see most of the pigeons coming home. At 12:45 p.m., we had to leave for work at the latest.
We started about 8 minutes after the specialists, which we were quite satisfied with, especially since the pigeons followed each other closely.
Within 20 minutes, 50% were clocked, and after an hour, 70/78 were home.
Three pigeons were equipped with GPS rings, and once again they let us down a little. Whether one thing has to do with the other, I have no idea. The cock that had been leading the pack for the past few weeks was wearing his ring again.
He will now fly without a GPS ring for the next two weeks, to see if he can get back to the front of the group as he used to.
The 564-21 wore the ring for the third time in a row.
The 782-22 wore it for the first time.
Once again, I am surprised by how far they fly into East Flanders. There was a slight easterly wind, but it was mainly southerly.
The yearling managed the flight route best, although she made a few detours, which meant she was probably the last of the three to arrive home.
Overview of the three GPS rings:
152-20 = blue
564-21 = purple
782-22 = green
And finally, the blue one heads towards the end through the port instead of flying around it.
What is striking is that it reaches its maximum altitude there. It goes from 320 meters to 432 meters between Beveren and from the moment it crosses the Schelde.
Some more figures for those interested.
Maximum speed blue: 1742m/m
Maximum speed purple: 1652m/m
Maximum speed green: 1645m/m
Maximum height blue: 432m (to cross the harbor)
Maximum altitude purple: 847m (at Koewacht)
Maximum altitude green: 382m
Total distance traveled blue: 341km, clock time 12h12
Total distance traveled purple: 349km, clock time 12h18
Total distance covered green: 335km, clock time 12h20, green loses 20 minutes to the other two pigeons when splitting up the “trident” to the Tergnier line.
For the sake of completeness, here is an overview of the arrivals:
