Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)

While at the Lodge preparing it for this week's guests I spotted this Woodpigeon family relaxing on a fence.  I assume they had got their crops full and were just sitting around digesting things.  Before I took the shot the adult was dozing, in the same position as the fledgelings and eyes shut.  I must have made some slight noise which alerted it.

The two squabs look as if they are only just out of the nest, so somewhere in the 35 to 40 days old sort of age.  Woodpigeons are known to breed all the year round if the weather is at all favourable.

Interestingly ringing studies have shown that they on average spend all their lives within 5Km of where they were hatched.  Typically they live for 3 years but the record (again proved by ringing) is an amazing 17 years 8 months 19 days.