Letting nature take its course

werdnal · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 04:11 PM

Over the past few years I have raised 2 young woodpigeons. The first was very young and "dumped" in our garden by a passing kestrel who we assume had lifted it from its nest then accidentally dropped it. Pigeon was slightly grazed and bruised but otherwise unharmed. We keep pigeons ourselves, so have some knowledge of them. I fed him 4 times a day for several weeks until he was ready to fly, then passed onto a local lady recommended by the RSPB who had an aviary and rehabilitated wild birds for release.

The 2nd, last year, fell from its nest into our pond. This bird was older and almost ready to fly, possibly taking its first few tentative excursions from the nest, but being waterlogged and very cold when I rescued him, I was initially doubtful he would make it. Next day he was up and about and I looked hopefully for his parents to return, but sadly they didn't. I felt forced to take him in and feed several times a day, until he started fending for himself. Eventually let him go and hope he made it.

Yesterday we were just driving into the lane on our way home, when I suddenly shouted "STOP" to my hubby. I noticed a young woody sitting in a pile of leaves alongside the road, which we would have run over otherwise. Picked him up, we was fully feathered but still showing slight signs of yellow fluff. Looked up to a large ivy covered sycamore where there were signs of a nest. No way we could have put him back, so I climbed up and put him on top of a bank, and left him there. He obviously couldn't fly, but I hoped his parents would find him and resume their duties. If not, I fear the local cats or foxes may take advantage of the situation, but I keep trying to convince myself that is nature and not to think anymore about it. Indeed, had we not noticed him, the next car along may have sealed his fate anyway.

I feel I did right the first 2 times above - In the first instance, the bird was forcibly taken from its nest and I had no idea where it had come from to even try to return it to its parents. The 2nd time, the bird was distressed (partly due to our pond intervening in his plight). However, I have mixed feelings about whether I should have abandoned yesterday's casualty to his fate. I know everyone who cares for wildlife needs to let nature take its course sometimes, but still feel sad that I left him to it. Can anyone salve my conscience that I did the right thing please?

Naturenutz · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 04:54 PM

If it makes any difference i would have done the same

. You are lucky they lived though,it pulls your conscience even more if they dont make it .The way i look at it is that you are trying to give them a helping hand because in my opinion the natural cycle has been severely disrupted by negative human interference.So a little interference in positive way kinda equals things out.If you get my meaning

RobS · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 04:59 PM

Similar thing happened to us out for a walk earlier this year. Found a pigeon in a pretty poor condition but managed to move it to a bank hoping as you did that the parents would find it.

I think you did the right thing and if it survived then great, if not then at least it contributed something in the food chain!

It's ridiculous really when you think about it, it's just a pigeon, but I know exactly how you feel!!!

Rob S

healfdan · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 07:20 PM

I know the rules, if it appears to be unhurt leave it where it is and walk away. There must be dozens of birds falling from their nest or not strong enough to take to the wing, and they have to take their chances. But I know how sometimes the heart rules the head. I once gave two very young wood pigeons (squabs) that had fallen from a nest, a helping hand and successfully reared them. Unfortunately my efforts to get them to leave were less successful. After a few weeks they were fully feathered and taking short flights around the nearby woodland but always returning after a few minutes. They spent most of their day on the roof but when I was in the garden walked behind me like household pets. By early summer it was obvious they had no intentions of moving on, so I boxed them up and took them in my car to a wooded parkland about fives miles from my house. Having watched them fly up into a tree I made the homeward journey which took me a little over 30 minutes. As I drove into my driveway they were sitting on my roof waiting for me. They remained with me until late autumn and then left.

RobS · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 11:09 PM

Ha, great story, liked that!!

SheffieldLass · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healfdan

I know the rules, if it appears to be unhurt leave it where it is and walk away. There must be dozens of birds falling from their nest or not strong enough to take to the wing, and they have to take their chances. But I know how sometimes the heart rules the head. I once gave two very young wood pigeons (squabs) that had fallen from a nest, a helping hand and successfully reared them. Unfortunately my efforts to get them to leave were less successful. After a few weeks they were fully feathered and taking short flights around the nearby woodland but always returning after a few minutes. They spent most of their day on the roof but when I was in the garden walked behind me like household pets. By early summer it was obvious they had no intentions of moving on, so I boxed them up and took them in my car to a wooded parkland about fives miles from my house. Having watched them fly up into a tree I made the homeward journey which took me a little over 30 minutes. As I drove into my driveway they were sitting on my roof waiting for me. They remained with me until late autumn and then left.

Homing woodpigeons ...

They did leave eventually though.