The EC Doves collect for late afternoon feeding at 4:00 p.m. One can almost set a watch by their arrival. There are always some around throughout the day, but late afternoon, most of the local bunch come. Sometimes 35-40 of them.
The Eurasian Collared Doves are from, er, well, Eurasia. It has been documented that these birds started moving northward from some of the Caribbean islands in the 60s or 70s. They've been dispersing in all directions and thriving ever since. We've had them here in Estevan for 6 years. There have been two other populations in Sask for longer. These doves are non-migratory. They survive our very cold winters because of backyard bird feeders and heated water dishes (mind you, perhaps one of the reasons they came here in the first place was because of the ice-free Boundary dam reservoir). So, no, they aren't exactly common up here; they certainly shouldn't be here by all accounts. I know of two or three small populations just across the border into N. Dakota, one bunch in a small town in SW Manitoba. There are some in Saskatoon, Mortlach, Moose Jaw (I think) and a lady called me from Regina a few days ago to talk about the 14 of them that have been around her yard this winter - first reports from Regina. Up here they are attracted to tall spruce trees - of which we have a lot of in my neighbourhood. That's the roosting/nesting tree of choice. I'll be posting more pictures and talking about these doves soon.
Now that's one I've never seen. Wondering if they're very common up there on the prairie?
ReplyDeleteWow...lots of Great looking dove! Nice photos!
ReplyDeleteThe Eurasian Collared Doves are from, er, well, Eurasia. It has been documented that these birds started moving northward from some of the Caribbean islands in the 60s or 70s. They've been dispersing in all directions and thriving ever since. We've had them here in Estevan for 6 years. There have been two other populations in Sask for longer.
ReplyDeleteThese doves are non-migratory. They survive our very cold winters because of backyard bird feeders and heated water dishes (mind you, perhaps one of the reasons they came here in the first place was because of the ice-free Boundary dam reservoir).
So, no, they aren't exactly common up here; they certainly shouldn't be here by all accounts. I know of two or three small populations just across the border into N. Dakota, one bunch in a small town in SW Manitoba. There are some in Saskatoon, Mortlach, Moose Jaw (I think) and a lady called me from Regina a few days ago to talk about the 14 of them that have been around her yard this winter - first reports from Regina.
Up here they are attracted to tall spruce trees - of which we have a lot of in my neighbourhood. That's the roosting/nesting tree of choice. I'll be posting more pictures and talking about these doves soon.