Hundreds of racing pigeons missing after alleged raptor attack at weekend event

More than 1,300 of the hand-reared birds took off in Wetherby at around noon on Sunday and were expected to return just after 1pm.

But when only a few hundred started returning in a “traumatised” state, the 60 onlookers at the event knew something was wrong.

Gary Tomlinson, organiser, and owner of Who Dares Wins International One Loft Race who put on the event, said: “Sunday was our first race from Wetherby, where we released 1,364 pigeons.

"They took off at 11.30, but by dark, we had only got 465 home which is horrendous.

“Everyone starting saying ‘raptor attack, raptor attack’ and then we found out there was a suspected attack in Ferrybridge, which is why they probably came back petrified and has scattered the rest of them all across West Yorkshire.”

“Now they’ve started dropping and that’s why they’re landing on people’s driveways and gardens because they’re so exhausted.”

One of the injured birds after it was found and retrieved

Gary added that he has now been told two Peregrin falcons reside on top of Ferrybridge Powerstation in Knottingley, which could be the culprits.

“On their route from Wetherby to Derby, they will go straight past the power station. A big flock of pigeons being released is absolutely easy meat for them, it’s dinner time for them.”

Sue Brown from Baildon said she found one of the pigeons on her driveaway on Tuesday.

“I found my lost girl pigeon unharmed but hungry on Tuesday and was able to phone the mobile number on her leg and today she was collected and is on her way home to Derby.”

Gary is now retrieving the fallen birds from across West Yorkshire but is still missing 800.

“I’m devastated, people pay to enter this race, there’s a large amount of money up for grabs and it’s a huge accolade. We’ve got powerful people and even professional footballers enter so it is a huge hit.”

One of the birds that have been found

“We bring up these birds as babies, we feed them, they think this is their home, so it is just heartbreaking.”

People are advised that the pigeons can be identified by a small ring on their foot with the owner's telephone number on it.

If they come across one, they should contain the bird, make sure it has water, give it some wild bird feed and contact the owner straight away who will come and retrieve it.