bird nests

Nesting Doves

| Flower Roberts

I was surprised by a young dove that was not surprised by me while I was home. I walked with in feet of it before seeing it. It stared at me like I was just another part of the landscape.

Young dove watching me pack my car.


The doves had been watching us from up in the carport trusses. They were habituated to people coming and going, so they were not startled by a person passing.


The nest sits on top of an old sled. I wanted this title to be Sledding Doves, but that would be too much of a stretch, even for me.

Messy nest hanging off the old sled.

I climbed Daddy’s sturdy ladder to take a peak at the nest. I was eye-to-eye with the dove when my head poked above the ceiling joists.

Howdy Dovey

The nest was a messy pile of sticks. Just enough form to keep the eggs from rolling away. I read that doves take turns parenting their young, so I do not know which parent was on the sticks.

Our new neighbor.

I am happy when wildlife settles down around my home. These doves were a sweet surprise.

FLOW

Pest with a Nest

| Flower Roberts

I blew off the entrance bridge this morning. As I walked back across the porch, I noticed fresh grass on the mat. This has happened before. Last time it was a Phoebe.

Poem about that here.

The Phoebes and I are No Longer Friends


I thought I had corrected the issue with a tight ring of hardware cloth which covers the top of the lamp and extends up to almost touch the ceiling.


I have been outdown by a tiny bird. This is not unusual here. It seems that tiny creatures are smarter than I am quite often.

I will wait to see which of my little friends has chosen to set up house on my porch. A Titmouse just scolded me. Is it she? Nope. She is in a house in the carport.

I had my Merlin App listen for possible suspects. See the screenshot below. Only a few are small enough.

Merlin App list of birds recorded.

I waited as patiently as an impatient person can, but never saw the nester. The nest must be removed. It is not only a mess-maker, it is also a fire hazard.

Somebody id. this nest.

Don’t hate on me bird people. I have enough problems without adding housefire to the list. Remember, I rescue mice, spiders and snakes.

FLOW