ROSS HERITAGE CENTRE had an awkward customer to deal with the week before last – and the problem took nearly four days to resolve.

Pigeons are not renowned for their cleverness, and the one that hopped up the steps into the Heritage Centre on Saturday September 18th did nothing to improve its family's bird-brained reputation. It fluttered stupidly around on the landing, and ignored all suggestions (brooms) and temptations (food) to leave – to the point where staff were obliged to close the centre for the weekend with the pigeon still inside.

The bird, doubtless worn out through lack of food and water, finally decided to leave last Tuesday – by flying out of the open doorway on the first floor.

Heritage Centre staff frequently find bats hanging in the stairwell (they get in through a gap above the main door), but pigeons are less common – which is just as well, considering the white splashes that were left on the woodwork as a 'souvenir' of the bird's stay.