Eurasian Collared-Doves breeding

The story of the Eurasian Collared-Doves found in Stratford a couple of weeks ago goes on. The very next day after their discovery they were seen by multiple observers carrying nesting material to one of the pine trees near the entrance to Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. This would represent the first breeding record for the species in Connecticut, and even more amazingly, for all of New England. Later that week they were seen copulating, confirming the nest-building observations.

We have been watching the birds whenever possible. They still seem to prefer that same stand of pines, and the right-most tree. They are very difficult to see in there, however. Additionally, since we do not want to trespass on to government property, views are limited to the roadway. As of now the doves are seen off and on, most of the time flying in or out of the area to feed in other locations around the airport or nearby neighborhoods.

The man who first found the pair, Frank Mantlik, provided us with these photos of the doves and their efforts at nest-building.







Photos © Frank Mantlik