Collered Doves

debweb · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 10:06 PM

I have a pair collered doves nesting on my bird table, they have laid two eggs. We have avoided the garden for a week, but the grass could do with a cut. Will this scare they of for good, will it be OK of 15Mins while the grass is cut or should we leave it for another week until they have hatched.

astarsdad · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 10:47 PM

Hi,

This subject is going to be debatable. I have a lot of birds nesting in my garden and I regularly cut the grass using a petrol engined mower without any adverse reaction. However, I am a regular user of the garden, tidying, putting food out, sitting out in the sun. It may be advisable to go in the garden sporadically to acclimatise the birds and make them feel safer (if you do decide to cut the grass).

Terry

matt1234 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2010, 04:31 PM

I also have collared doves nesting in a tree in my garden. However one of the eggs has fell out of the nest, well i think it fell as it has been windy recently. The doves have been incubating the eggs for a while now but will they continue to incubate just the one egg or abandon it and the nest or will they add to the egg and continue with the nest. It just seems such a shame to lose them as i have enjoyed watching them. I have just seen one of them approach the nest move some twigs look at the egg but then left. Anyone any ideas what will happen or how i could help?

astarsdad · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt1234

I also have collared doves nesting in a tree in my garden. However one of the eggs has fell out of the nest, well i think it fell as it has been windy recently. The doves have been incubating the eggs for a while now but will they continue to incubate just the one egg or abandon it and the nest or will they add to the egg and continue with the nest. It just seems such a shame to lose them as i have enjoyed watching them. I have just seen one of them approach the nest move some twigs look at the egg but then left. Anyone any ideas what will happen or how i could help?

Hi,

I doubt if the dove will lay more eggs as it would mean that they hatch at different times. I am surprised that the dove is not incubating the remaining egg, though they can leave them and return willynilly. Are you sure the eggs have not been predated?

Terry

matt1234 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2010, 05:30 PM

Hi,
No i dont think the nest has been predated as we dont have any magpies or squirrels around and the nest is well disguised in a tree in which it is well hidden. I can see it as it is right outside my bedroom window so can view it without disturbing it. I have watched one of them sit on the nest with the other coming and handing over twigs and then sometimes swapping incubating. I really dont think it was predated. It did return to the nest and look at the nest and egg and it looked as though it was trying to repair the nest as it looked as though the wind had blown it. Will they remove the egg and try again in the same nest or will they move somewhere else? They both normally sit on a roof nearby and i have seen one of them there before. Any suggestions?

astarsdad · #6 (**permalink**) 12-05-2010, 05:38 PM

I doubt that they would give up on the nest unless they have had a very traumatic experience, and in that case they would probably not returned to the nest. You need to let them decide what they want to do. I have had collared doves nesting in my garden and they have used the same nest for successive broods.

Terry