Doves on an Arlington, VA high-rise balcony

by Tom Lauria
(Arlington, VA)

About a month ago, a pair of mourning doves decided an empty metal flower pot -- at the top of a stack of unused pots waiting for spring -- was the perfect place to raise a brood.

And so they nested.

They are truly unflappable, watching me carefully as I attended to my gardening and going about my daily rituals, enjoying breakfast outside and entertaining guests in the evening.

Nothing bothers these gentle birds.

The two eggs hatched over the weekend and the baby doves (squabs) are a cute but awkward combination of wet gray feathers and big noses. They grow incredibly fast and are methodically fed by both parents.

Last year, in a potted Hollywood Juniper tree on my balcony, a pretty pair of House finches (he, bright red and she, shades of brown, built a nest and hatched two chicks. I made a HORRIBLE mistake -- put out a fancy songbird seed mix to make life easier for them. That immediately attracted other birds, include a flock of large crows that ATE the baby chicks!!! I was mortified.

This time, I am not putting food out and keeping the dove nest private. So far, so good. They are so welcome to nest here that I am prepared to leave the stack of empty pots alone for the season and not disturb them in any way.