Dove Box

Just a lot of fun! Good for you!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

a very important project indeed… and they came back!

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

beauty comes from the heart…obviously you have a big one. Hope your tenants enjoy it also.

-- Straight grains & sharp blades

A home within a home. They look comfee.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

That’s just a great photo. And a wonderful home for two. When ya think about it Wayne, you just built your first house! Very nice. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

I love it!

-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe

Great idea Wayne. We had a few Morning Doves that would perch themselves on my son’s swing set last summer. If they come back this year, a box like this would be nice to make. Thanks for the idea.

-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!

oh yah!! Oh my “to do” list for this weekend!!!

2 years in a row doves tried to build a nest on the window sill at Rick’s house. It was fun to watch them but the nest just wouldn’t stay on it. We were going to build them a shelf but never did. But I think we’ll figure something out here at my house!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

A willow nest box?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I’m had one more comment relative to this project. I’m sitting here at 6:50 in the morning catching up on the latests posts, listening to the mourning doves calling. Very peacefull. For those of you in the Technology world, I would say that this meets the criteria for an Excellent return on investment.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Nice project,
I see and hear the Doves in our neighborhood, but I don’t know where they nest.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Having the doves around makes it all worth while…Maybe you should build another box and attract some more..

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

last year we watched 2 families of doves in the pine tree that sits at the corner of our deck. It was fun to watch for their little heads to peek out over the edge of the nest. One day the two young were on the ground and I watched them all afternoon as they tried to maneuver around a edging board. They were too cute.

Willow Nest.. hmmm

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Nice work Wayne, my Mom always said birds were Gods helpless creatures and we should look after them, I do too. So does my older bro. jockmike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Thanks. Birds also have a fond place in my heart. We have a number of Pet Birds (2 Macaws, 2 Parakeets and the world’s oldest Pigeon, 14 years or so) as well as feeding all of the local birds. I usually make a batch of bird houses in the spring and give them away to people who will put them up on their property.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

we put up two dove boxes yesterday (thank you for the idea). Now we just to wait and see if they get “rented out”.

the one box, I cut the front piece too short. I said, “oh well.. we’ll just put a sign on it saying “fixer-upper” :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

LOL, Debbie.

Wayne, this is a good thing you did. :-) It also reminds me I have to fix the front of a house for KT’s dad.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

What size of box did you go with. I have made a few feeders for the doves, but I would love to get them to nest here also. I have some found wood that is begging for a home.

-- Sure Dear, I can make that for you. Lemme just run out and get a tool I need for that.

It is about 12” square. I’m on the road until Friday night. When I get home I will get the measurements.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Thats fine…I don’t think the doves will mind if the dimensions are not exactly the same as yours. I think that my son is going to be busy this weekend making a few :)

Thanks again

-- Sure Dear, I can make that for you. Lemme just run out and get a tool I need for that.

Of course you will probably need a new router to build one…maybe a brand new table saw!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

You can see why I needed a unisaw….

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Table saw to cut it straight and then router to make it round. You don’t want baby doves to get splinters.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

do you have a drill press?? You will want to make beautiful little drainage holes in the bottom.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I love building birdhouses and feeders. I go through 20 50lb bags of black oil sunflower seeds a winter on average. The treefarm is always loaded with birds. The trees provide great nesting (I won’t sell a tree if there is a nest in it in the spring) and we have running water all year round in the fish pond. I have about 10 birdhouse out and have the pieces cut for 3 new ones for this spring. I too typically keep them simple. Birds have actually been shown to prefer plain boxes…go figure….bird critics.

My wife thinks I’m a little cuckoo….pun intended.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

and he won’t sell the tree if a nest is in it—awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww !!!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Just a quick update. This morning I was able to see the parent and 2 babies.

The box is 12×12 x 3 and is mounted on a southern exposure. I have another box on a western exposure that does not seem to be of interest.

Oh, Karson and Deb, I have the tools listed, but would’nt you think the edges really call for Dove Tails. A new PC Dovetail Jig may be in order.

: ^ )

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I love the smell of sarcasm in the morning. :)

-- JP, Shelbyville, KY

Every project calls for a new tool.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

So have you done a study to see where the doves like their box? Do they prefer it under an eave, or in the open? A certain height perhaps? Just wondering.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

hahah@ tool needed.

We put our boxes on the west side.. darn.
Now that I think of it.. Rick’s window was south-facing when we watched the Doves trying to nest.
But then again… we watched them nest on the north side last year… hmmm

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Wayne’s birds aren’t in their right mind. (Southern exposure – Western Exposure) LOL

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

On the height I read 8-16 feet. These are just under the eaves. On the west side of the house here it gets pretty hot in the afternoon. It may be that. We see 110 degree summer days here.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I am betting they would like the shade better.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Just a quick update. I added a picture showing one of the parents and the 2 babies. The babies flew out of the nest yesterday and the parents are working on laying the eggs for their next set of babies.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

aw. And here we are having a second winter!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

BTW. This pair is working on their 6th set of babies for the summer. They have really been cranking them out. The pair in the other box just finished their 3rd set of babies.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Great idea and I love the birds, but how many times did you pressure wash your porch after they moved in?

First box I’ve see with one dovetail

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Actually, not had any real mess issues with them. Their main inpact is some singing in the morning.

Flexable dove tails, anywhere from one to four depending on the current situation.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov