[GodBlessUSA]

Hi
Remember the Morning Dove I told you about sitting on her egg on my mother's deck, inside a bowl in a bar she has out there. Well, a cat came and killed Morning Dove. I'm so sad. I don't like seeing nests. For the past two years, I've seen them destroyed and not make it. It makes me sad seeing all they go through and gone in an instant!

[sweetliberty]

Oh, that is sad. I prefer the nests to be out of sight and out of reach, too. I fret over them when they are accessible. As much as I love cats, I don't like them going after the birds. I don't worry about mine. He wouldn't bother himself. But there is a neighborhood cat that comes around making trouble from time to time. I've just recently found out who it belings to and I believe I may have to have a discussion with them about belling it.

On a lighter note; did you know that hummingbirds can't walk? I just read that to even move two inches, they have to fly. I guess that is why their wings flutter even when they do that little side step on a perch.

My finch numbers are still growing. Yesterday I said 30-40. Today, I tried to count the ones that were clearly visible. I gave up at 40! They are everywhere!

[Ciexyz]

Sad news about your Morning Dove. They are gentle, beautiful birds. Their cooing is so soothing. There's two that come down as a pair to feed on my patio. I put out enough just to feed the two sparrows that nest nearby, but occasionally it attracts the Morning Doves. They're very skittish; if you disturb them, they won't come back that day.

[Dysart]

That's heart wrenching about the Dove. It's also too common. My dog thrashed the neighborhood cat(responsible for many bird kills) a couple weeks ago and I debated for a few seconds whether to stop it--I did-- and haven't seen the cat since.

Doves have not adapted to predatory cats very well yet. They still build their nests way too close to the ground. One pair around here has learned to place it much higher, however.

My Brown Thrashers abandoned their nests after several days of meticulous construction. The Grackle colony in the Live Oak tree is thriving. The females bring their captured insects to the birdbath, where they dunk it, dirtying it up for me dozens of times daily.

Even my Mockingbird pair rarely come around anymore, driven off by the Starlings, I think. My sanctuary has seen better days.

[Heartland Hattie]

You might try a "Have-a-Heart" trap and take the offending cats to the shelter. I caught six ferals and a neighbor's kitty(who i apologized to and carried home). Our birds are a whole lot happier and increasing in numbers just in time for us to move!