Doves on Our Outside Light

by HMF
(Schaumburg, IL)

For several years we have had the same robin family nesting on our outside light. Each year we leave the nest up and they return. The nest is so attached that we can not even change the bulb and it has long burnt out. Likely if it did work, with all the nesting material on top of it, we would have one heck of a fire! See, so all works out.

We enjoy our birds each year. This year, a Dove claimed the nest. In the past our birds were friendly and let us be around the chicks. Since the Doves are new for us, I proceeded to talk to the Mom and Dad. The nest is about three feet outside our front door. We have a small child and a dog and do not want mean birds when the chicks hatch.

We continue to watch the Dove as she/he sits endlessly on her nest. I meet the mail-lady outside and we discuss our birds. She never moves. We wonder when will the babies be born? Will they attack her like the birds down the street.

The babies are now born. We think there are three of them. We have seen both the male and the female together. My daughter and I continue to talk to them. We are friendly, they know our voices.

Yesterday, the male, as I read he sits during the day was on the nest and the female was alongside on the light fixture. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I went outside and talked to them. They just stayed still and listened. The females eye blinked when she heard my daughters voice.

Each year our birds let us very close to them. We stand within three feet. I believe they would let us get closer. I don't want to disturb them, as they were here long before us. They give us great joy!