WANTED: bird lovers to help ensure the future of doves living at Eryldene Historic House and Garden in Gordon.

Eryldene house is looking for locals to help look after the dovecote in one of the north shore’s most beautiful gardens.

Eryldene Historic House and Garden is looking for volunteers to look after their Dovecote. It's a beautifully-designed structure by architect Hardy Wilson as part of the assemblage of buildings in the garden. There have been doves living there for over 100 years and they're looking for people who have an affinity for doves and pigeons. volunteer Suzanne Bravery with the doves at the dovecote.

While doves, pigeons and their associated fanciers are very much on the decline in our current age, Eryldene Historic House and Garden is keeping the tradition alive.

Doves have been sitting in, around and on top of the dovecote, cooing the day away for the past 100 years.

People are wanted to look after the dovecote at Eryldene. Volunteer Suzanne Bravery is pictured at the dovecote in Gordon. Picture: VIRGINIA YOUNG

Eryldene volunteer and board member Julian Bickersteth said the dovecote was a key part of the Gordon house.

“Eryldene has been described as the most exquisite place in Sydney, and that comes from a combination of factors, including the architecture, the garden and the setting,” he said.

“The dovecote is a key part of the architecture that Hardy Wilson designed for E.G. Waterhouse with its gilded facade.”

During the past 100 years, on occasions, the doves have bred so well that some of them were given away, while in some years the activities of local falcons severely depleted their numbers.

“But still they survive, a rarity in these days when interest in racing pigeons has virtually disappeared,” Mr Bickersteth said.

Now Eryldene is looking for people to ensure the doves’ survival for the next 100 years.

They are looking for someone to clean out the dovecote once every four to six weeks to ensure they keep healthy.

“It is not heavy work but does require a bit of energy,” Mr Bickersteth said.

All training and tools will be provided and a modest retainer will be paid.

Anyone interested should contact the Eryldene office on 9498 2271. For further details about Eryldene go to ­eryldene.org.au.