When will they come back?

by LM Diamond
(Red Lion Pa)

We moved in 4 years ago to a large old house in PA. The previous owners had constructed an attractive branch arch on the porch and over the front door. It took us awhile to become annoyed by the bird droppings on the door mat and to look up! Yes, indeed there was a little nest inside the wreath that hung over the door. I watched and in a bit of time I could see huge eyes peering over the top of the nest. What a thrill! My love for the house increased and in the following years the doves returned. It's an interesting experience to turn ones head and meet the gaze of a dove measuring you. I looked forward to them taking up residence every year. You can't even see the droppings if you keep trying to see the babies peering out!

Last year though, robin built a nest on top of the doves'. And I added some pine branches...they did not come. The robin definitely upset the usual pattern of things. However after reading where other people have found nests I don't think its the pine branches, but I will remove the tottering nest tower in hopes the doves come again. I'd rather look up then down!