Hello,
2 doves have started nesting in our bar, it's open (more like a tiki bar) and they've started collecting twigs in one of the corners.
When we're not out there, they are in there a lot. The bar is heavily used in the summer, we have a toddler and a dog and spend a lot of time in there over the summer months and in the garden.
Any recommendations about what we do - i presume they're going to lay an egg at some point but obviously don't want to spook them once the baby is born, Please help!
Hi Kara, I found this article from help wildlife which may help to deter doves/pigeons from nesting in your bar ...
www.helpwildlife.co.uk/.../
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
We had collared doves nesting opposite our front door (in what seemed a precarious position to us!) but they weren't around for long. I've gone back to the first photo I have of one of the adults in the nest full time which was 1st May and our 2 young ones have now fledged - this ties in with what I have read about the timings, with incubation being around 2 weeks and a further 2-3 weeks before they leave the nest. As such, this could be a very short time where you could use the bar less before they young are ready to leave.
We were nervous about disturbing the birds given we were back and forth rather a lot but we were careful not to go too close to the nest and the parents did not seem phased.
Thank you for your suggestions. The problem is, it's not just a bar, we store my sons toys in there, cushions for the garden, paddling pool - so we're in and out a lot. Tried to avoid it as much as possible over the past few days but it's inevitable. I've not seen them at all today, so I'm wondering whether they've realised it's not a particularly secluded area and gone to seek somewhere else.
Obviously a great relief for you if they have moved on, at least they hadn't laid any eggs!