Gardeners who have doves in their garden have been issued a warning (Image: Getty)
UK households are being warned not to disturb doves or pigeons in their garden from February – or face a possible fine and prosecution.
Doves and pigeons both belong to the same family of birds, columbidae, and collared doves, native to the UK, begin their breeding season as early as February.
With the new month just days away, gardeners are being urged to take care not to disturb doves in this vital time of the year and where possible, to help them out by providing food.
Garden store explains: “When one thinks of pigeons, what comes to mind are the large grey birds you see picking at discarded food on the street.
:
“These are, in fact, feral pigeons. Collared doves and feral pigeons are both from the Columbidae bird family. This family consists of 310 different bird species, characterised by stout bodies and short necks.
“For collared doves, breeding begins as early as February and continues until as late as October. On average, collared doves lay about 4 clutches a year consisting of 1 or 2 eggs. Males and females share parenting duties throughout this time.”
Doves feed on mostly seeds and grains, so these are the best foods to leave out for them in February. Doves also choose to nest in areas near to human habitats, probably because of the extra availability of food.
Primrose continues: “Dependence on seeds and grains are one of the reasons the collared doves nest so close to areas inhabited by humans. The birds are not fussy about what seed or grain they eat. Doves digest the husks rather than removing them so there is no need to pick a husk-free mix.”
But, under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, it is considered breaking the law if a person “Intentionally kills, injures or takes wild birds, Intentionally takes, damages or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it’s being used or built or intentionally takes or destroys a wild bird’s egg”, according to the RSPB.
So not only should you put out food to help doves during breeding season, but you also need to take extra care to avoid damaging or disrupting any doves’ birds nests if you’re working on your garden when the weather improves, as destroying even a single egg could land you a fine and prosecution.