Help needed Possible abandonment of wood pigean nest

[Scary scot]

My neighbour this evening filled a metal trailer very noisily with slabs,rocks etc close to a tree which has a wood pigeon nest.The mother bird has not returned for over two hours( very unusual) and although the babies are a reasonable size-we live in Aberdeen- not the warmest place -how unusual is this length of time to leave a nest of chicks and how long will they survive?

Any help welcome?

Thanks

[Dogghound]

I would expect the pigeon to return. If levels of disturbance are high and chicks are well developed they can leave for extended periods. Species like woodpigeon are not that susceptible to disturbance.

[werdnal]

Wood pigeons (in fact most of the pigeon family - we have domestic ones) are very loyal parents and do not abandon a nest easily. If the young are well grown they are usually quite hardy. Infact, woodies breed all year round so I'm sure they will be OK.

[Hobjob]

From a terrible cynic

Does it matter - some might say two less woodies is a good thing, others might just think that all they have lost is 4 weeks as they will be "at it" again before you blink!

Sorry if I offend - but until a few years ago they didn't breed in gardens, though I bet they they don't abandon their young.

[faz]

pond to a penny parents have returned