I was just considering whether I should call in a tree surgeon to deal with the last two stubborn lelandii (dear god, the biomass on those things) or whether buying another rope would be enough, when a pigeon flew out from over my head -- from that "old nest" I found yesterday. Can they be breeding already? I found a caterpillar yesterday, but I wouldn't expect birds to be on nest until april, really.

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: