So Doverly

[silverdee]

Rocky and Bess have been very interested in a particular spot along the fence for the last few days. I didn't give it much thought because they get fixated on certain areas in the yard and then move on after a while. Yesterday, Rocky chased a dove away from the bird feeder and the bird flew into a little nook between the fence and a hackberry bush

Comments

[weelisa]

Oh, that's a beautiful picture! Poor mamma must be nervous with dogs about. Perhaps you could erect a temporary fence around the spot. I was just in the dollar store and they have all sorts of things for the garden at this time of the year - including bits of plastic fencing - you'd probably only need about three of them.

[silverdee]

Thank you. I'm nervous for the poor mamma, too. The dogs will just make a ruckus but I am really worried about the neighborhood cats. She's high enough to escape real bother from the pooches but the cats can get up to her level easily. I've been trying to think of a way to give the nest some protection without hindering the birds' movement.

[weelisa]

Oh, that's a LOT trickier then since cats can jump and squeeze into the smallest openings. Err...I'd have to be there with you to properly figure something out.

I know my parents managed to prevent squirrels from getting into the sparrow house by using a metal pole and then even greasing the pole up with engine oil so those wily critters could not climb up in any way.

I'm thinking surrounding the area with chicken wire - the bird can fly out the top but it would making getting in more difficult. I have no idea if that is practical or not.

[silverdee]

I know how shape-shifting cats can be so it is definitely a puzzler. I'm going to keep thinking about a way to help the birds without constraining their access to the nest but I may just have to allow the Darwinian natural forces to play out and see if the spot works out for the little family.

[silverdee]

In the wilds of my very own backyard!