Just when I thought we could finish up the last of a new cover for our patio....my potting bench is now occupado with a morning dove sitting on two eggs! So much for finishing the patio cover this spring! She's so much more territorial than the dove we had last year nesting on my potting bench. This one hovers over my head when I get tooooo close to the nest! I hate to move the nest. I know you can but I've never actually tried it. Anyone out there had success? Just for a laugh...it's all my fault she's there. I have an open bird feeder that had a small grapevine wreath decorating the front of it. It fell off last fall and I haven't had a chance to repair it so I just stuck the wreath inside the bottom of the feeder. Well, apparently, Mama Dove thought I put it there for her. She's added a few strings and sticks but otherwise it was a ready made home!
We have relocated fallen sparrow's nest without bothering the mother. But most doves seem to be much more skittish - even deserting a nest if there is suddenly too much people traffic around them. Since she has laid the eggs, why not try moving it a couple of feet at a time each day when she's off it. Come to think of it - that doesn't happen much does it? I think poppa takes turns sitting when she runs errands. Oh dear, I'm not much help.
That's so neat to have one on the potting bench - now if you just didn't need to use it for a few weeks - HA ! Guess the awning will have to wait and YOU could relocate your potting-up to a table on the lawn - I've had to, cause the house is getting painted - such a mess.
Be sure to get a picture of her!
Hi. I sent an e-mail to the folks over at the Hulen Wild Bird Center, and here's what they had to say:
Quote:Move the bench -- the best possible scenario is to move the table with the mother on the nest (so she knows where her nest is). If the mother flies away while moving the table, move it ten feet at a time -- letting her find the nest each move. If neither of these approaches will work, let your inquirer know that our doves have a very high reproductive rate and still has plenty of time for two more broods this season.
Good job Angie. Thanks for the research! And thanks to the Wild Bird Center for their reply.
We have a nest of killdeer with four eggs in our back yard. I was wondering if there is a way to move them. We have an event coming up and they won't be hatched for another week or two. Even then they stick around their nest for 2 to 4 weeks. We do not want to be a disturbance for the birds. But we need our back yard. Do you have any suggestions?
Will the event include loud music or fireworks, or just a lot of folks milling around at normal noise level?
How high up is the nest?
Could you cordon off an area around the nest site with rope and stakes?