At present, we don't fully understand all of the ways that pigeons find their way home from distant points.

But

It is certain that the earth's magnetic field plays a major role.

Since it is also certain that the Sun has a significant influence on the earth's magnetic field, the ability of pigeons to navigate can be adversely affected by solar storms. Solar storms originate on the Sun and travel quickly (within days) through space to the earth. When they reach the earth, they apply a varying and abnormal pressure on the earth's magnetic field in a manner not dissimilar to the pressure that is exerted on a house during a hurricane. These solar storms can distort the earth's magnetic field sufficiently to confuse the internal navigational systems of pigeons.

This helps explain why there are good days and bad days for pigeons to be released from distant points and challenged to navigate their way home.

For several years, we have been working to isolate and determine some of the solar storm criteria that can affect pigeon navigation. Using real-time spacecraft data, we are now fortunate to be able to alert pigeon fanciers world-wide to conditions that may result in the loss of their birds.


2007 Chart Example

These charts are all date and time correlated for real time analysis.

 

This eight-day chart from 2007 forecasts the times which would be safe and unsafe to train or race pigeons. Periods of time in green represent safe periods. Yellow represents periods when caution should be exercised (train short distances only). Red areas represent times which are hazardous (for example, pigeons may not be able to return quickly, if at all). Black areas represent dangerous times in which significant losses of birds may be observed if trained or raced from a distance. Another chart shows real-time data of current conditions which is updated every 5 minutes.

One full year of data on a daily basis is priceless information when the return of your best racers is at stake. Just a 2 to 5 degree deviation in navigation from 200 miles could mean the loss of your prize birds.

To access these charts, you will need to sign up. You will be guided through a secure payment process using your credit card and will then be granted immediate access to all of the information for a full year.

One year's subscription = $35.00 Canadian.

For a free trial period of one week of current conditions (updated every 5 minutes):

Please choose a username and a password.
Include your real-name and e-mail address.
Send it all to:

runner at shockware dot com.

We listed our e-mail address this way to stop e-mail harvestors (automatic search engines) from placing us on unsolicted e-mail lists.
We request that you type the correct e-mail format when sending us your information. Thanks.

Sign up for a full year of real-time data

After signing up, access the data