For the past month the wood pigeons have been very amorous and entertaining in their courtship. The male puffs himself up and bows...reminding me of the Austrian lady in the Sound of Music on stage at the music festival. The female is quite happy for him to follow her, along the wall, across the roof....until she's had enough. She is slim, haughty and nonchalent to his advances.

The wood pigeons' colours are subtle and easy on the eye. Of all the birds in the garden, they are perhaps the grandparents. By far the largest of the garden birds(with the exception of the bewildered pheasant), they will sit happily with goldfinches, blackbirds and sparrows.

To some, the wood pigeon is regarded as a pest. I find them to be quite beautiful and entertaining.