"Build a Dove Nesting Cone"

[eleny]

I was looking for a pattern on the web. A site popped up with instructions for making a cone frame for a bird's nest with hardware cloth. It's supposed to help doves since they aren't the best nest builders.

http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa030603a.htm

[booksenkatz]

1. LOL, thanks for the link!

The doves around here congregate happily in our backyard -- they still don't quite yet trust the fact that they were just recently given protection from hunters in Michigan -- and I'm always looking for a way to help them. Our son's fort and swingset functions as a dovecote throughout the year (he doesn't mind, he loves them, too). It's a wonder that doves manage to eke out a brood at all -- two sticks and they're done for a nest!

The cone will be very much appreciated next spring, eleny!:)

[eleny]

2. Glad it will help

I searched the forum to see if the link had been posted already and read the posting about the new Michigan law.

We don't get congregations here. But we always have a nesting pair somewhere in the yard every summer. When I first heard them many years ago, I thought they were owls. Then I saw a few sitting on a telephone wire and put two and two together. It was the doves.

I did read once that they don't just lay one set of eggs but a few since mortality is high.

Btw, Where is the best place to put the wire cone? I don't think I've ever seen one of their nests.

[booksenkatz]

3. I can't speak for all of them, BUT

they certainly seem to love our Sweet Gum tree. They don't nest terribly high up into it, either! Find a good, safe tree fork for the cone, that should do the trick. Back in Florida, they'd often nest in my hanging planters, so they aren't too finicky!:)

Thanks again for this.

[eleny]

4. That's sort of like where robins like to nest

Robins are almost always just above eye level around here. They especially like the top of our electrical service since it's protected under the overhang of this ranch house.

Seems like an apple or apricot tree might be good choices for the doves. Thanks to you, too!