Collared Doves

[Beverley Lass]

Hi all bird-lovers,

I've just been out for my morning walk with the

dog and was surprised to see a collared dove collecting

fine sticks.

On getting back home I've just spotted another one doing the

same in my garden and apparently nesting in a conifer tree !

They always strike me as rather sweet but slightly daft

birds, lol.

Surely they don't normally nest until early Spring do they ?

Cheers,

BL. x

[Potent Gust]

Hi all bird-lovers,

I've just been out for my morning walk with the

dog and was surprised to see a collared dove collecting

fine sticks.

On getting back home I've just spotted another one doing the

same in my garden and apparently nesting in a conifer tree !

They always strike me as rather sweet but slightly daft

birds, lol.

Surely they don't normally nest until early Spring do they ?

Cheers,

BL. x

Interesting! As far as I am aware collard doves nest like most birds do in early spring!

Keep me updated

[Greyowl]

Collared Doves never even lived in Britain until the 1950's. They are a success story to be sure. Usual nesting season is March to October. So the ones you saw are either rather early or a bit late.

[Beverley Lass]

Thanks for the replies guys.

They have done well then, there's certainly a good number of

them to be seen in the gardens.

Perhaps suprisingly, as here at least, I watch them idlying around

in the middle of lawns and on roads apparently oblivious to predators !

I've also witnessed them making their flimsy nests in the

daftest places including this year .. in the end of an open gutter.

Poor thing tried in vain to sit it out through the heavy rains.

Also two attempts at nesting on the wall brackets of satellite dishes ! lol

At least my 'early' nesting pair have chosen a conifer tree

I'll try to spot if they're serious with this and continue.

Seems so odd after days of night frosts and bitter days !

Cheers,

BL x

[Bobby]

Perhaps they are just preparing early. They won't be nesting for a few months yet. There's a few pairs of collared doves that come to my garden - they're nice birds.

[Beverley Lass]

Perhaps they are just preparing early. They won't be nesting for a few months yet. There's a few pairs of collared doves that come to my garden - they're nice birds.

I think you're right, they're likely just planning ahead

I'm fond of them too and shall now pop out with some seed

for them before dark; safely put under a bush.

Cheers,

BL x

[Azores Hi]

Part of the secret of their success is the fact that they don't seem to know when to stop breeding, up to 5 broods a year are possible apparently!

[Beverley Lass]

Part of the secret of their success is the fact that they don't seem to know when to stop breeding, up to 5 broods a year are possible apparently!

Gosh, what a healthy 'love life' LoL

Funny thing is I've never spotted a 'baby' dove, Squab isn't it.

Cheers,

BL x

[Rollo]

We have had a pair visiting our back garden for a couple of years and they seemed to have an addition to the family as a third slightly smaller bird was seen with them during the autumn.

[Rustynailer]

Collard Dove are a bit like Rats and Rabbits , if there is food and warmth then they will reproduce. I suggest the doves are nesting near man made warmth and are collecting food from people either directly off a bird table or indirectly from agricultural/industrial/waste activity.

They have had too many years without a bad winter, if this one turns bad, man made warmth will be at a premium and such activity's will fail, which in the long run is better for the species IMO.

Regards,

Russ

[Rollo]

Hi Russ,our two collared doves do not get too much chance at our bird table as we have loads of greedy wood pigeons that dominate the garden these days-any idea of how I can get rid of the pests.

[Gray-Wolf]

Hi Russ,our two collared doves do not get too much chance at our bird table as we have loads of greedy wood pigeons that dominate the garden these days-any idea of how I can get rid of the pests.

A pie maybe?

[Rustynailer]

A pie maybe?

My sentiment exactly GW IMO the most environmentally sound way is to eat the "pest", provided the pest is tasty, like Wood Pigeons. If it is not tasty, then what I usually do with rats for example, is leave them on a fence post for the local birds of pray, not a pretty sight, so I do that well away from view. Hope this helps Rollo

Regards,

Russ

I must stress I dont use poison on the rats, if I did I would burn the rats, or put them in the bin.

Edited December 17, 2007 by Rustynailer

[Bobby]

I think all birds have equal right to food. I don't choose what birds should get some and which shouldn't.

[peterf]

I think all birds have equal right to food. I don't choose what birds should get some and which shouldn't.

fair enough to a certain extent i agree.but the time does come when common sense should prevail.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/moun...ogetpantson.jpg

[Terminal Moraine]

Collared Doves are pleasant enough to look at but have the annoying habit of perching on my anemometer, they also make what is surely the most tedious noise in the entire bird kingdom.

T.M

[Guest Shetland Coastie]

We have two (male and female) who visit our garden regularly and they are a pleasant change from starlings and sparrows!

[Beverley Lass]

Collared Doves are pleasant enough to look at but have the annoying habit of perching on my anemometer, they also make what is surely the most tedious noise in the entire bird kingdom.

T.M

LoL Yes, my male bird is 'giving it plenty' this morning in the

sunshine while the hen bird continues her rather mad nesting idea.

BL x