Bye-bye baby Wood Pigeons - 5

A few weeks ago, on 9th April, I discovered that I had two non-paying guests on my terrace, which is above a shop at the back of my flat.  There were 2 baby Wood Pigeons in a nest that was hidden by plants.  I have written several posts about their progress, the last one being about the first flight early in the morning on Tuesday, 26th April, of the more adventurous baby.

The next morning, 27th April, when I looked out of the window on the floor above the terrace, the adventurous bird  was sitting on the wall of the neighbouring terrace, while the sibling was still confined to the nest.

One young Wood Pigeon has left the nest, while the other is still in it on the other side of the space between 2 buildings

Close-up of the first flier - an adventurous young Wood Pigeon

 In the afternoon, both young Wood Pigeons were sitting in the sun on terrace of the neighbouring building on the right!

Second young pigeon has learnt to fly and joined its sibling next door

2 young Wood Pigeons sitting in the sunshine on the wall next door

 On Thursday morning, 28th April, there was only one young Wood Pigeon at home.  The more adventurous one had flown away.  An adult was hanging around, no doubt trying to persuade the other youngster to take flight and leave the nest.

Adult Wood Pigeon waiting for youngster to fully fledge

I opened the window of the room above the terrace, frightening the bird below, and it winged its way
onto a roof on the left side of my terrace.

Second young Wood Pigeon taking a flying lesson

 It sat there for some time, no doubt wondering what to do next.

Young Wood Pigeon, learning to fly and wondering what to do next

I was able to take some photographs out of the window.  Then I decided to go onto the terrace to take some from below the Wood Pigeon.  When I opened the door, it flew away!!

That afternoon, I moved the plant pots that had hidden the nest from me and put something over it so that the adults could not come back and start all over again.

Wood Pigeon nest

At the weekend, I got myself together and removed the disgusting mess that was the remains of the nest.  I love wildlife, but do not want more baby Wood Pigeons living amongst my plants - sorry mum and dad Wood Pigeon!

Young Wood Pigeon - learning to fly - 4

I have a nest containing two young Wood Pigeons at the back of a large plant container on my terrace.  The plant container is at the edge of the terrace, with the youngsters overlooking the space between my building and next door - with a long drop down to the basement on their side.

After stopping sitting with the babies on a permanent basis, a parent came back every so often in order to feed them.  On Tuesday morning, at about 6.30, a parent was feeding the young.

Parent Wood Pigeon feeding the youngster

These photos were taken from the bathroom window on the floor above the terrace, at an awkward angle, so was difficult to get the birds in the shot.  Parent and youngster can just be seen at the side of the picture.  While feeding was in progress, one of the youngsters was extending its wings.

Flapping wing belonging to one of the young Wood Pigeons

I think I must have disturbed the youngster in my efforts to photograph the feeding progress as, suddenly, there was a great flapping of wings and then it was sitting on top of a canopy on the terrace next door.  It had taken its first flight!

Young Wood Pigeon on canopy next door after its maiden flight

It sat there for a few hours, presumably not knowing what to do next.

Young Wood Pigeon looking confused after making its first flight

Later in the morning, it had obviously decided to return to my terrace and was walking along the top of my wooden railings.  The photograph was taken through the glass in my back door, hence the criss-cross pattern on the picture.

Young Wood Pigeon who has just left the nest for the first time

Wood Pigeon squab on the railing

I went back upstairs and took a few more photographs out of the window above the terrace.  The young Wood Pigeon was walking backwards and forwards along the top of the railings, probably trying to work out how to get back into the nest, while being watched by its sibling, who was probably wondering what its brother or sister was up to.

Young Wood Pigeon after first flight and being watched by sibling in the nest

The brave flying young Wood Pigeon eventually landed on my plant, instead of in the nest!

Young Wood Pigeon attempting to get back into the nest

It eventually found the way back as, later on in the day, both young Wood Pigeons were sitting together in the nest again.

What an exciting day!