Over the past several weeks at least one Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) visiting our feeders here in Courtenay. Although not a rare winter bird on Vancouver Island, it is a bird that is not usually seen regularly in the winter. However, every Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in December seems to turn up at least one Mourning Dove – this might be the one that makes the Comox Valley CBC list.

There were originally two doves, but for at least two weeks now there has only been one. Odds are that the one of the eight (? – we’ve lost count of the actual number) cats owned by our neighbours as picked off one of the pair. I’ve had to physically deter two different cats from taking out this last dove. Unfortunately, predation is just one of the cat issues that we have with our domesticated animal loving neighbours.

At the very least Jocie is hoping to add this regular visitor to the Comox Valley Christmas Bird Count list on December 20th since our house is in her count area. Ideally, I’d rather not do any more mourning of my own and continue to enjoy seeing this remaining Mourning Dove for the rest of the winter.