It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:13 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:05 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:34 am
Posts: 15
Location: Dallas, TX
I'm so excited! I discovered a mourning dove nesting in a small evergreen tree in my backyard. We see them all the time in the backyard, and we watch fascinated when there are several males chasing one female, or watching them pick at the seed we throw out.

I was starting work on my garden a week ago when I heard a loud flutter about 5 ft. away. I saw a mourning dove land on a tree branch close-by and noticed it was very large/fat. I figured it was ready to lay eggs so looked for a nest. I found a very sparsely built nest at about eye level. The next day I discovered 2 large light brown eggs (that I could see, anyway) in the nest. The tree is to the side between the garden and the tool shed. Throughout the week, "Mama" dove would fly off if I got within 5-6 feet and sit in the nearby tree and coo very loudly at me as I worked. But this morning I went straight to the tool shed to grab a rake and noticed Mama didn't budge off the nest. Several times I walked passed within 4 ft. and she stayed put. Could it be that she's getting used to me spending time back there every day and senses that I won't bother her? I can't wait for the eggs to hatch and watch the babies grow!

One thing puzzling me is that I've always seen mourning dove couples together, and love seeing the males & females walking the back yard with the young broods. But in this case there is only the female, so I guess something happened to "Papa" dove.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:07 pm 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator

Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:52 pm
Posts: 351
Location: mckinney,TEXAS
Maybe dad will show up when there are young to feed.

_________________
e-Mail: info@birdzilla.com
Web: http://www.birdzilla.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:22 pm 
Well, mama dove has been building up her nest and it's getting hard to see the eggs now. I watched out a back window this afternoon as she tirelessly flew back and forth for a very long time collecting small sticks and flying back to the nest.

At the same time, there was also a cardinal collecting sticks for a nest that kept flying into a large high holly bush. We also have a large section of bamboo where countless sparrows are busy, busy, busy. And for the first time, I saw a large mockingbird scratching around like it was looking for nesting material. It's been a long time since I've seen such busy activity back there, and it's such a great sight to see! I'll cut up and toss out some yarn scraps that they love for nesting material.

Although I have a garden, we like to keep our backyard a little on the wild side and the birds really love it!


Top
  
 
PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:27 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:34 am
Posts: 15
Location: Dallas, TX
Oops! I had forgotten to login, and that's me up there. Wishing everyone a Happy Easter Sunday! ... Rose


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:25 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:34 am
Posts: 15
Location: Dallas, TX
I just went out to check on "mama" since we had a bad bout of weather this morning. She was sitting differently on the nest, so I inched in slowly to about 2 ft to get a good look. She flew off at that point and I saw 2 blobs of gray fuzz with beaks sticking up from the nest, and they were good sized. Today is exactly 21 days since she laid the eggs, but I just found out the incubation period is 14-15 days, so I missed the big event. Can't wait to see how they grow!!


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by eWeblife