Sandy Sartin

by Sandy Sartin
(Darbun, MS, USA)

We have quit putting feed in the feeders but on the ground instead and have found that more variety of birds come and we can also enjoy them better as they hop around and eat the seed. We have seen 4 Mourning Doves here for the first time. They have been here a month or so and yesterday we noticed that one would fly to the ground and collect sticks and then fly back up into the tree where another one was building a nest.
After reading this article I realize that it is the male gathering the twigs and the female building the nest. It is so neat to watch him as he will pick up a stick, examine it and if it isn't to his liking he will pitch it out and get another one. I am so hoping that we can see the babies when they start to try to fly out of the nest. I personally think that feeding the birds on the ground is what has attracted the doves to our yard to nest. I am so excited about it. Thanks for the article and for letting me tell you about my experience. I don't have any pictures yet but I certainly will send some when I do. Thanks again.
Sandy