first nesting

[Kayleigh]

Could this be the patter of tiny feet and beaks. Is this the earliest sign of birds nesting this year.
This Dove has been to my bird table with twigs and grass over the last couple of days. It tries to eat seeds with this in its mouth then leaves the twig on the bird table. The photos are a bit blurred as the bird would not keep still.

[aeshna5]

Seems like love is in the air! Collared Doves, along with other pigeons, are well known for nesting early + recorded every month of the year, though most are spring/summer. As they don't need to find insects to feed their young like many birds they can afford to nest early. As you probably know they are fed on pigeon's "milk" which is regurgitated, semi-digested material from parent's crop- hope you're not eating at present!

Hope they are successful, though early clutches are more likely to fail if inclement weather takes hold.

[paulchandler6]

Have had a report of Collared Dove on eggs this past week, and a friend has reported seeing a young dove in the past few days.

Paul

[hedgehog whisperer]

The Collared Doves in my garden have been very amorous, of late. Although I am not sure they are getting ready to nest, quite yet. I will keep a closer eye on them from now on.

[Kayleigh]

These both look the same to me. How do you tell if they male or female??

[galanthus]

Seen the same with jackdaws last few days. One or two with twigs in mouth and a separate pair preening and snogging each other

Tits are already doing recce activity on the nest boxes ...... oh love is in the air la la la la la

[Dogghound]

Had a nest of Collared Doves early December but they abandoned it after about a week .

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

These both look the same to me. How do you tell if they male or female??

Plumage is identical for sexes- you will only tell by watching their behaviour which is which!

[mrs fish]

I have been watching the crows and magpies deciding who is having what tree this year to nest in, a noisy affair

[The Black Rabbit]

The Geese are at it in our neck of the woods too.
Well, one pair of Egyptian Geese anyway....
Doug

[Wild-Woman]

The Collared Doves are 'busy' here, even during that light smattering of snow we had last week.

[demicav]

We've had a pair of Collared Doves visiting the garden for months now but I've not seen them for quite a few days. I'm wondering if they've moved on, I will keep an eye out for them now I know they can nest early. Daft thing is though January and February can be really bad months for cold and ice, crazy.

[juliejam]

Ive seen the Doves mating over the week end...they never really leave the garden at all...Can hear the male calling throughout the day...Looks like it will be the third year running for nesting here....


Julie

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Plumage is identical for sexes- you will only tell by watching their behaviour which is which!

Thanks aeshna, The doves were back today sort of kissing Then they mated on the chair. Thet sat there for about 1 hour then flew off thogether..Sooo sweet

[astraman]

ive seen some pigeons doing the little dances they do and chasing each other

[Kayleigh]

Is this where the saying lovey dovey comes from