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Bodies of water, how much of a disadvantage are they?As I dive deeper into the world of pigeon owning, I can't help but consider my future in the hobby. While I have a small flock of pets now, I admit that the lure of racing is there, and may be something I work up to sooner or later. It has been the topic of several late night conversations in my household.
I am wondering about the disadvantage of my location, particularly where racing is concerned. I live in the finger lakes region of New York state, to be more precise, directly on the 10 to 15 mile wide strip of land between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, the two largest of the finger lakes. Each lake stretches 20 miles north, and 20 miles south, give or take a few miles. Cayuga lake is slightly wider than Seneca, averaging just under 2 miles wide, and 3.5 miles wide at its' widest point. Seneca is slightly slimmer, being about 3 miles wide at it's widest point. On most days the other side of the lake is quite visible from any point, barring rain or fog. How likely is it that, if I should get my hands into racing, that I would be put at a disadvantage due to my inter-lake location? Would quality birds with high drive choose to fly the few miles across the water, or might my birds instead choose to fly the extra 40 miles around to fly over land? If in the case some choose to fly across , while others choose to go around perhaps this could make for a very interesting breeding experiment. It would be quite easy to use a boat to do training tosses on the opposite sides of the lakes and sort out the bold from the timid. Would it be possible to begin breeding for the boldness to cross these bodies of water? Or would genetics have little to do with my predicament? I would just like to know everyone's thoughts on this. Unusual questions, for an unusual geographic location. But it's been in the back of my head for awhile now, and with no experience of my own to draw upon I ask for the benefit of yours. Thanks guys, any thoughts appreciated!  
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TBH I dont think living by a lake would harm you at all.
They have pigeons that race across the english channel. I would think that the lake might help you a bit as its a landmark that can be easily seen from the sky. Hopefully people with more knowledge on this subject will post.
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"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of will." Norman Vincent Peale
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You should try and see. Trained birds are not afraid of long distances 900 km and more. Maybe it is good idea to toss them from the boat just to learn the way. I don't race but there are GPS trackers for birds that you can follow exact route of the bird back home.
Noah used pigeon ower the water as far as I know.
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While I cannot offer any pertinent information about flying over water (although, from what you mentioned, those lakes do not sound like they would be a problem), I just wanted to say HI!
AND, mention that I lived in the Finger Lakes region many years ago when my Dad was in the Air Force. We lived for a short time at Sampson AFB, ON the lake. What a BEAUTIFUL AREA! I still have a small gray stone I found along the shore with a hole completely through it. I remember winters and sledding on snow down our backyard hill from our road alllllll the way to the edge of the lake! This was in the late '40s/very early '50s. Thanks for bringing back some memories of a bygone time! ALL THE BEST if you decide to race! Love and Hugs Shi Last edited by mr squeaks; 28th July 2009 at 11:33 AM.
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Thank you stoned, They definitely would make a great landmark...They are hard to miss that's for sure.
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It is beautiful here, funny that this is the first and probably the only time I have ever thought that our lakes might be a disadvantage  You have a lucky stone! They are plentiful here, I have jars full of them all over the house, you can never have too much luck ya know!?! I hope it brings you luck!
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I never thought of it also.
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"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of will." Norman Vincent Peale
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I do not race but I do take my homers down the road and my home and loft are surounded by a large reservoir, I thought that could be an issue but so far it has not been and even as said, I think it is a big land mark for them.
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BEECH TREE KNOLL LOFT
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I don't think it would hurt a bit with that small of a body of water. Now if we are talking lake Michigan that is different. You might even have good luck and it be somewhat of an advantage. I will tell you why a bird could cover that lake with out even blinking a eye and the advantage is it could see it for maybe 100 miles away. So when the bird is coming home and it can fly right towards the lake on a straight line it will be easy for them. You better start racing and collect all your winnings.
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The only problem I see is fog, having lived on a lake fog would sometimes set in and make it hard for the birds to spot landmarks. Because you are between two lakes fog can become twice the problem. Now that being said, your birds will grow up with it and might become better homers because of it. Time and training is the only way to know.
Good Luck, Tony
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BIG T "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." Aristotle "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank
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Considering one of the things pigeons use to help guide them home, is landmarks, bodies of water can be an advantage
Lakes and rivers, major roads, highways, and railroads, rides and treelines, and probably anything distinctive that sticks up pretty high that they could see from a long distance.I don't think pigeons will mind flying over water. Although, if they are tired, they would probably prefer flying over solid land in case they have to take a break. Some birds will go down for water as well on the long, hot races. If you get the birds used to flying "though" it instead of around it, then I don't see that hurting anything
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Becky M. L. RKM Lofts | RKM Art "It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds." - Aesop  ~Semper Fidelis~
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Becky M. L. RKM Lofts | RKM Art "It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds." - Aesop ~Semper Fidelis~
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Just toss train them slowly and increase te distance as you see fit. Like someone said it here.. take them on a boat and toss them while in the middle of the lake. This will get them used to flying over the lake. Here in the Hawaiian Islands... birds fly over miles of ocean..
Here's a race map to give you an idea. 
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I am from New Zealand, and if you care to look at an Atlas you will see the country consists of two main islands, seperated by a a stretch of ocean.
Pigeons are raced every week North to South, or South to North. Pigeons are very capable of flying over water with no prior preperation. It is well worth researching the War Pigeons which performed such amazing feats during the First and Second World Wars. This will show just what our birds are capable of, given the opportunity. I think we are too inclined to "baby" them. We might be surprised at what they can do.....
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