Doves nesting by my front door

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Doves nesting by my front door

by Julie Knutson
(Hesperia, Calif. U.S.A)

Last spring they tried to nest in a pine tree outside our bedroom window. It is windy here. I put a wire mesh strainer tied with wire. They laid 2 eggs.

This year they are on a perch right outside my front door. They are so used to me going in and out and they never fly away.

I can't wait to the eggs to hatch. I talk to him or her briefly every day. One of them always has the tail pointing straight up while sitting on the nest.....the other one just squats down.

They defiantly have different personalities. They are so beautiful and I can't wait for next year to watch them again.

I am wondering if that pair could be the same ones from last year. How long do they live?
I will try to get a pic or two and send in. They are sloppy nest builders.

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Doves nesting by my front door

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May 27, 2009
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Any day now
by: Anonymous

It will be any day now, but then they stay in the nest for a couple of weeks more.

May 27, 2009
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Doves, Need Answer How Long Before They Hatch
by: eman26ditch@gmail.com

How long before the eggs hatch? I am a little upset. I have been watching this nest for weeks.

My community is painting the outside of our buildings. "my" nest is on top of my two story high shutter.

I feel she has been on her eggs for a few weeks, and nothing has happened. I don't know how long I can hold back the painters. Anyone know how long before they hatch?

May 14, 2009
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Its nice to know you can depend on nature
by: Barbara

Everyone's comments reassure me that my doves are following nature's plan.
I noticed the parents leaving the babies alone in the nest more and more lately. (There's hardly any room, they are so big!)
Any day now they will fly away...

May 14, 2009
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Who do I contact?
by: Julie

I am wondering why every time I read a story and respond......I get at least 6 mails back to me and they are always the same mail. I have to copy and paste over and over and it is always the same mail. Not complaining....Just wondering why. Julie

Administrator Each time you make a comment you are asked if you want to be emailed when someone else also comments. You're being notified of your comments plus other peoples comments that you post to. You may want to recheck how or if you want to be notified.

May 14, 2009
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My babies Tinker and Bell left
by: Julie

Well. They are gone this morn.I saw their little heads on mothers day. (fantastic present)
I have watched them grow so fast and the mom and dad slowly stopped going in the nest with them. They were still watching them and feeding them.
The 2 babies hung out together right outside my front door by themselves and now...this morning they are gone.
The mom and dad are still flying around and I hope they are planning the same place for the next babies.
I have to be honest here..I am kinda sad that they left but so happy that I was able to see them so close and they trusted me. That was such a great feeling to be able to get close and talk to them.

May 07, 2009
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These are my first
by: Barbara

Have I been so wrapped up in my own activities all these years to never have noticed the bird miracles around me?

Would I have noticed the nest 7 feet away in the spruce pine branch if my visiting brother hadn't pointed it out to my husband while lunching on our deck?

I was bustling around the house when my husband passed me on the stairs and said "remind me later.. I have something to tell you that's going to change your life".

I thought to myself happily that maybe he received word regarding a job he applied for, or maybe an acquaintance mentioned a need for my services as a real estate agent.

We had been caught up in the struggling economic winds of unemployment and self reinvention for about 5 months when I asked "what was that good news you wanted to tell me yesterday?".

My husband replied excitedly "there's a dove nest in the tree right next to the deck with 2 eggs in it".
"Is that it? That's going to change my life"? were my first thoughts.

That was almost 2 weeks ago.

There are now 2 little nestlings. I watch as the parents change shifts, and on occasion leave them unattended for a few moments (I like to think its because they know I'm watching them.)

I watch when they feed. I've come out after a every spring shower or passing storm to make sure the nest is in place and the little ones are safe.

I've called or written (with photo attachments) my friends and family with the dove family announcements and have invited carefully chosen visitors for a quiet viewing of "my" doves.

Somehow, instinctively (and because of this web site) I know what's coming next....they'll leave hopefully to live a full dove life.

And my life will have been changed.

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May 07, 2009
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Submitted by: Barbara

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Have I been so wrapped up in my own activities all these years to never have noticed the bird miracles around me? Would I have noticed the nest 7 feet away in the spruce pine branch if my visiting brother hadn't pointed it out to my husband while lunching on our deck? I was bustling around the house when my husband passed me on the stairs and said "remind me later.. I have something to tell you that's going to change your life". I thought to myself happily that maybe he received word regarding a job he applied for, or maybe an acquaintance mentioned a need for my services as a real estate agent. We had been caught up in the struggling economic winds of unemployment and self reinvention for about 5 months when I asked "what was that good news you wanted to tell me yesterday?". My husband replied excitedly "there's a dove nest in the tree right next to the deck with 2 eggs in it". "Is that it? That's going to change my life"? were my first thoughts. That was almost 2 weeks ago. There are now 2 little nestlings. I watch as the parents change shifts, and on occasion leave them unattended for a few moments (I like to think its because they know I'm watching them.) I watch when they feed. I've come out after a every spring shower or passing storm to make sure the nest is in place and the little ones are safe. I've called or written (with photo attachments) my friends and family with the dove family announcements and have invited carefully chosen visitors for a quiet viewing of "my" doves. Somehow, instinctively (and because of this web site) I know what's coming next....they'll leave hopefully to live a full dove life. And my life will have been changed.

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May 01, 2009
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Some times nature needs a bit of help
by: Julie

My doves that are by my front door...I think the eggs are about to hatch. Maybe this is silly but I put 2 pillows on the porch, under their nest in case an egg or chicks fall out. Last spring the eggs fell out of the pine tree. Maybe they pushed them out or the wind or maybe with their sloppy nest. They broke. I hope the pillows will help them if that happens. I will put surgical gloves on and put them back in and wait and see what happens. Julie

May 01, 2009
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Well congratulations!
by: Anonymous

It is so nice and seems like such a good omen for them to nest so near to us. I had success with my first clutch of eggs in New Orleans. I put food and water near them - 20 or so feet away so they wouldn't get spooked by the other birds. They do not leave during their 'shift' until after the babies hatch, such devoted parents were adorable to watch. I, too liked to talk to them, offering some words of encouragement. Take the photos, and back them up - I've lost all my photos of my baby birds to some computer glitch.

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