Bush Baby Adventures

This morning we were woken early by the bush babies returning home after their night time adventures. They live in the roof above our bedroom. every evening we time our sundowners on the terrace to coincide with their appearance. If visitors are coming we tell them they have to be with us by 630pm to be sure not to miss out. The first sign is a long tail hanging down from the eaves, then a tiny head, upside down, peaks out to survey the landscape. This goes on for sometimes up to half and hour, with each one having to take a look. There are about 6 in all. Over the past year we have watched the next generation grow up. Their first foray into the wild is always a time of tension. The jump from the roof to the nearest branch on their thorn tree is only about 4 feet but it is a long drop down and the branch is not the most stable and bounces around at the slightest pressure. The adults think nothing of taking the dive, however, we have watched, holding our breath, as the new babies climb all the way to the top of the roof and take a long run up only to abort take off at the last minute. nerves or just not the right conditions? I am never sure. Some times it takes up to 4-5 trial runs before they have the confidence to jump, usually with lots of encouragement from those already in the tree. As soon as everyone is safely in the tree they are off into the night. Sometimes they have been spotted in the garden but I am sure they travel much further afield.
Bed time is usually just before 6am as the sun is coming up. They land with a 'thump' and scuttle up into the top of the roof. Sometimes they settle down quickly, othertimes, such as today, they take their time arguing about who should sleep where 'move over, get off my tail'. One morning I woke to a pitiful crying and could not work out what it was, thinking it was an early bird. it was not until I heard the 'thump' and the crying suddenly stopped that I realised it must have been the group calling to the late comer to get himself home whilst still under the safety of darkness. 
I have only seen them up close twice, through our bedroom window. I am always afraid of disturbing them. However, this morning as I opened the curtains there was a tiny upside down face watching me. After I said 'good morning' and kept chating be careful not to make any sudden moves, he turnined around right way up to get a better look before running off to bed.
As we are moving onto the next section of roof renovation, we have to think very carefully about how we are going to work so as not to disturb the nest. Maybe, the guys will just have to work through the night when there is no one home!?