Dovecot

[frontalman]

Not sure if I've spelt that correctly but I'm looking for a secondhand weathered dovecot. We have collared doves nesting every year in our garden, mostly unsuccessfully as the crows more often than not raid the nest. This year we have a young adult female in our olive tree next to the swimming pool, sitting on a rather pathetic nest of a few twigs. They have to do a kind of up-and-under flight path to get to the nest, which is a good protection against the crows, however, she has been sitting on this nest since March. There is no sign of any chicks or eggs, I talk to her every morning so she doesn't see us as a threat. My conclusion is that she is either retarded, or is protecting the nest for the Spring. We would like to wedge a dovecot into the tree to give the pair a better chance of reproducing in comfort and style. Most dovecots I've seen are too big with multiple boxes so if anyone has any ideas I would be very grateful. A pole would not be necessary as I would fix the box to the tree for them.

[MnM]

Almost there - Dovecote.

Do-ves - reminds me of a Benidorm episode

Lucky Doves though, nice you're looking after them.

[Hilltop]

To be contentious, I find them to be a bl**dy nuisance. They poop everywhere and the noise they make could turn milk. So glad they can be shot

[Soner]

I don't think they can be shot, I think it is the crows that can be shot, legally, by local council staff. Correct me if wrong.

[frontalman]

Why anyone would want to shoot anyone or anything (make exception for Donald Trump), let alone a little dickie bird, is beyond me. They are beautiful creatures and represent peace. Also, it was a dove which helped Noah find land again, without that there would be no human race, so they deserve a break. Anyway, back to topic - anyone got an old dovecote they no longer need? I've got readies, just name your price.

[Cally]

I'm with you frontalman, they are lovely birds. I have them visit my small garden in UK along with pigeons. If anything needs shooting it is man, present company excepted of course.

[frontalman]

Thank you, Cally.

[MnM]

Not sure how it's spelled but they're pronounced Coopaler, looks like a clock tower, usually on top of a building apex, but usually with louvres on all sides, (some have clocks), maybe if available one of those could be adapted if you can't source a Dovecote.

[dippersgirl]

When I went to a Cafe with my friend, they had a small simple black plastic veggie box with string on each corner, tied to the rafters of the outside roof, birds were happy!!
Might be ok for testing until you can organise something better!

[Mowgli597]

Not sure how it's spelled but they're pronounced Coopaler, looks like a clock tower, usually on top of a building apex, but usually with louvres on all sides, (some have clocks), maybe if available one of those could be adapted if you can't source a Dovecote.

Cupola - also used on tanks and on the top of the cab of a 3-ton army truck etc. Handy for mounting guns for shooting ..... oh. Hang on. Sorry

[sophie]

If you're in Scotland then you can call it a doocot. I've looked on Google and there are scores of different variations of design from the sublime to the ridiculous. I'm sure it must be possible to concoct something suitable.

[TAC]

Very easy to make, a old wooden pallet is all you need

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/Dov ... ouse_build

[frontalman]

I can get a pal of mine to knock something up, but I was looking for something that was already weathered, thinking the birds would accept it more readily. Thanks everyone. I've seen plenty of designs online, but all much too fancy or bulky.

[Groucho]

To be contentious, I find them to be a bl**dy nuisance. They poop everywhere and the noise they make could turn milk. So glad they can be shot

They are territorial and keep in pairs, not large flocks and they keep flocks of pigeons away.... you'll have a big problem if you get rid of them.

[frontalman]

To update the interested, we went into Design Mobilya, a carpentry workshop in Karsiyaka, armed with paper and pen to ask if they would make us a single dove-sized nesting box, of appropriate dimensions, with a decent size entrance and perch. I tried my best Turkish but didn't know the word for a collared dove, so I went coo-coo and drew an imaginary line around Sally's neck. He seemed to know exactly what I meant, and we debated the best size, length, height, etc. I explained the situation with Kargalar (crows) raiding the nest. I then asked him how much to make it and stain it. He (Nurettin is his name) looked up to the sky for a couple of seconds, then said "Benim hediye" (my gift to you) and went on to explain that he is a bird lover too. He took my number and said he'd call when it is ready. Well my eyes welled up, as we were both very touched by his generosity, especially when you get so many reports on this forum of Brits claiming to be ripped off by the locals.

It's nice to report on the positive side of this place where we live.

[BILLYBONDZ]

Frontal........aaaahh bless him......what a nice touch........yep, there are some good guys about.........we have a guy who has his own
Small garage workshops at the top of our sokak.......known him since we moved here, he was just a lad then, and now married, with two children........when the lockdown kicked in.......used to get him essential bits and bobs for his family.......anyway, last Sunday, managed to blow the trusty fusion up......oil and water all mixed together....not a good look........anyway, limped it up to his workshop.......long story short, got it back this morning........ticking over like a gold watch..........he gave me itemised list for all the parts required........he did not add anything for his labour, he said that I was a good neighbour, for the financial help during the lockdown........and I had to really push him to take money for all his efforts........needless to say, I gave him a well deserved.....drink on top of his rate........he is a smashing fella........hard working and honest.......top bloke, and a true friend....