ONCE again, Ron Freethy has mentioned pigeon fanciers and their dislike of the peregrine falcon.

Ron said that he does not want to be drawn into yet another argument, but I feel that I must make a few points, for it does appear that he and many of the predator enthusiasts get the wrong opinion of pigeon fanciers and their dislike of both the peregrine and the sparrowhawk.

We certainly don't want to see these birds becoming extinct. All we ask is that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds brings to an end the captive breeding of the peregrine falcon and that these hand-reared birds are not released into the wild.

With regard to the sparrowhawk, we feel that we should be able to take action, within the law, against 'nuisance birds.' These are individuals that visit pigeon lofts on a regular basis for a tasty meal and a change from their mainly songbird diet.

Yes, pigeon fanciers have been banging the drum for some time now with regard to the big increase of the predator population. Non-pigeon fanciers are now getting very concerned as well.

Lord Barber of Tewkesbury has questioned the RSPB's objectives and how the society conducts itself. Damning words indeed - when Lord Barber is an ex-president of the RSPB and a gentleman who has the bird population of the British Isles at heart.

BRIAN TATTERSALL (vice president, Royal Pigeon Racing Association), Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle.

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