Hmmm, a conundrum. The nest has been left rather exposed, and once there are squabs they'll be vulnerable to magpies and squirrels -- even cats, as it's an easy jump from a shed roof which is on at least two prowl routes. But do I let nature take its course, or perform an eviction? At this time of year, they'll not have invested too much in any young (if they've even started laying) so starting again might be easier -- on the other hand, they might just skip this year altogether, and there's no guarantee the predators will be successful -- but if I do let them go ahead, and the cats get the adult bird on nest?
Of course there's the possibility that the pigeons will notice that their nest site's a bit drafty and find another one... although, I think we're talking the same couple that thought laying an egg on three twigs balanced on a down-pipe was a good idea, so perhaps not.
As ever, I turn to the collective wisdom of the internet:
What should my next move be?
Buy another rope
2(10.0%)
Book tree surgeon immediately so pigeon can move to less-doomed tree
11(55.0%)
Wait a week to see if pigeon moves to somewhere less drafty
5(25.0%)
Abandon felling plans till fledging
1(5.0%)
Abandon felling plans permenantly
1(5.0%)
Assuming I decide to encourage pigeon, best gift?
Home sweet home sign for tree
1(5.9%)
Webcam (with optional fez)
7(41.2%)
Tasty seeds
1(5.9%)
Put back some of the branches so it's not so exposed
3(17.6%)
Bird bath
0(0.0%)
Assuming I decide to discourage pigeon, best approach
Install expensive surveillance equipment
1(5.3%)
Broomstick
3(15.8%)
Bill Oddie
5(26.3%)
Binoculars and catapult
2(10.5%)
Wait and let the three local tom-cats do the dirty work
4(21.1%)
Number of a local tree surgeon?
Funny pigeon story or interesting pigeon fact
Comments
@crazycrone - I feel better about maltreating pigeons now.
@timscience -- they make far too much noise to be ninjas. Possibly there are also ninja pigeons in the tree, but I didn't see them?
Edited at 2008-03-20 17:47 (UTC)