Ok, so I'm a soft git sometimes.

New additions to the station

We have had some pigeons nesting the stock area of the ambulance bay for a while - a few days ago we noticed that there were some pigeon chicks there as well. Somehow they have managed to get quite large without us noticing.

Their parents had built their nest of sh*t in a cardboard box containing (ironies of ironies) the infection control suits.

Obviously we can't have pigeons nesting in our stock area as, no matter now much I like them, they spread diseases. Phone calls were made and exterminators were called.

I have a mate who is an pest control worker, and I know exactly what would happen to the babies. So I've snatched them up and brought them home. More specifically home to my mum* who'll be able to look after them during the day. I've taken on the cat**, who is currently sulking behind the futon in my flat.

However, we have no experience in dealing with pigeons, or birds of any sort. The websites and forums have let us know what, and how, to feed them, although I don't have any experience on the physical skills needed to actually carry this out. The pigeons are a bit older than they are in that photograph.

The thing is, I don't think that the RSPCA care much for pigeons - as they are considered 'vermin', I don't think that they are allowed to look after them (and their 24 hour advice line is unhelpful in this regard).

So really, what I need to know is how to look after them until they can fly away and be wild (I'd rather not keep them, but if that is the only option then I've plenty of room in my garden to build a pigeon home... thingy...), or if there is anyone out there willing to take them off my hands.

I think that this might be related to my reading about pigeons saving lives in the two world wars when I visited Bletchley Park.

So... erm... daft soft git asking for advice here folks.

*She who used to do physical therapy on our pet rats after they had strokes.

**Yes, that cat dear twitter followers...

UPDATE: Thanks to commentator 'mc1rvariant' I got in contact with the London Wild Care Trust who will take them for me - excellent, and thanks to everyone who sent me advice. It was all very, very much appreciated.