Boomerang – that’s how ironic the name of the headline-making pigeon is. Even more ironic is the fact that she outlived the person who released her to fly back home. But the extraordinary bird is all over the news now that she has miraculously returned after 10 years of absence.

Dino Reardon raised Boomerang in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The amazing pigeon already filled the headlines back in 1998, flying home from southern Spain, 1,200 miles away. The very same year Mr Reardon gave the bird to his friend Alf Pennington in Lancashire. It would take another 10 years before raiser would see her again, coincidentally on this year’s Father’s day.

And it’s not just enormous period of time that is amazing in this story. Pigeons normally have a typical 5 year lifespan in the wild. Not only Boomerang survived for 10, in fact, Mr Pennington died 5 years ago, instead.

Dino Reardon claims it was impossible to believe when he eventually identified the bird.

“I checked the tag and nearly collapsed when I saw who it was. I just couldn't believe it. She could barely stand up and couldn't even make it into the aviary, she was just exhausted”, he told.

“I spent all Sunday feeding her glucose and honey to try and get her energy back from the journey.”

Boomerang’s noble origin does suggest she is capable of such journeys. Even though her mother Bluey achieved 17 national titles as a racing pigeon, her father actually provided the homing genes as once he walked back to Reardon’s home for 60 miles having had his wings clipped by thieves.

After the successful comeback, it seems, Boomerang will finally have the fine rest she deserved. “She is staying here and will be looked after for the rest of her life”.

Reardon said she was already paired up and now the eggs are eagerly awaited, which would make another generation of bird heroes.

By The W