Wilma won’t go

Wilma has been with us for six months at least.  She was brought in with injuries which healed quite a while ago.   She showed no inclination to leave and has befriended several of the other injured pigeons we’ve had in.  They have recovered more quickly with a friendly face to give them confidence.   Little Squabbie flew off in early Spring.  Pedro, who had terrible injuries when he first came, healed and could fly and was off like an arrow as soon as we gave him the chance.  Wilma has been completely different, an open door held little attraction.    The weather is good though and flying must be a wonderful experience, Wilma was sitting on a branch all day in the aviary and missing out on all of life’s pigeon pleasures.

We started leaving the aviary door open for longer periods and eventually Wilma decided to explore.   We thought that she’d have to get back to proper flying gradually, after all she has done only a limited amount in the aviary.   It was lovely to see her fly up into a tree …. and then the barn roof ….. and then the hedge at the bottom of the field ….. and then ….. she was waitimg at the door!   That was good, here I am, what’s for breakfast?   Wilma likes her freedom and did a bit of swooping and soaring and aerial acrobatics yesterday and that was lovely to see but afterwards she was back!   It’s the best of both worlds for us, she is free but we can still watch over her and enjoy seeing her fly, Wilma won’t go and thst’s fine by us!