Hundreds of racing birds have disappeared in unexplained circumstances after being released in north east England. Experts are baffled at the phenomenon, with abnormally high rainfall, high levels of solar activity and even signals from a spy base being blamed. Pigeon fanciers have compared it to the disappearance of ships and aircraft in an area of the Atlantic bounded by Miami, Bermuda and Puerto Rico. But now the mystery centres on a geographical area encompassing Thirsk, Wetherby and Consett. In the latest episode, only 13 out of 232 birds released in Thirsk last Saturday by a Scottish pigeon racing club made it back to Galashiels in the Scottish Borders.
The birds themselves already have to contend with the growing problem of attacks by peregrine falcons, sparrow hawks and goshawks.
Some of the most valuable racing pigeons are worth tens of thousands of pounds while interest from the Far East has pushed up the price of birds used for breeding even further.
