Turtle doves are now making their long southward journeys to sub-Saharan Africa to spend the winter months. They may only have just left. But it’s not too early to start thinking about the things we can all do to provide them with feeding, nesting and drinking sites when they return next spring. This blog outlines […]
Continue readingTurtle Doves
Dove Step 3.1 – miles and miles for turtle doves
Over the years, Jonny Rankin has undertaken some incredible challenges, raising much needed funds for turtle dove conservation. September 2019 saw him take on his latest adventure… At 18:25 on Friday 6th September 2019, Dove Step team mates Nick Moran and Jonny Rankin cycled into Kilnsea for the Spurn Migration Festival (Migfest), some twelve hours […]
Continue readingWith a little help from our friends
Jos Ashpole Turtle doves in decline Spring is now certainly on its way. Blossom is starting to appear in our hedgerows and it won’t be long until the wintery greys make way for the vibrant greens and warm yellows of spring and summer. This can mean only one thing – the turtle doves are on […]
Continue readingShare the love for turtle doves: the volunteer
I love this time of year, the anticipation of what’s to come. And without doubt the return of my local Turtle Doves is something I eagerly look forward to. I count myself very lucky to live in a place where this stunning little Dove comes to breed. Of course this is tinged with a bit […]
Continue readingShare the love for turtle doves: in the Netherlands
It’s not just the UK where turtle doves are in decline. These birds are also in trouble in the Netherlands too. Here, Jules Bos from Vogelbescherming (BirdLife in the Netherlands), shares how people are helping out turtle doves by providing them with a vital food supply when natural sources are scarce. Dutch decline In the […]
Continue readingShare the love for turtle doves: the fundraiser
Raising funds for turtle doves Dove step has been a huge part of my life for over five years now. For the uninitiated, Dove Step is friends and myself enduring for Turtle Doves. Undertaking arduous journeys to raise both awareness and funds for Operation Turtle Dove. To date we have raised almost £16k and endured […]
Continue readingLove, Hope & Good Faith
Graphic designer and jeweller, Ann Lamb, tells the story of her fundraising project to raise money for Operation Turtle Dove with the help of a collection of passionate local artists and writer. An inspiring bird This time last year I was wholeheartedly engrossed in a fundraising project for Operation Turtle Dove. Since starting to make […]
Continue readingMaldon District Council – leading the way in ‘Planning’ for Turtle Doves
Mark Nowers, RSPB Conservation Officer in Eastern England A top place for turtle doves The plight of the turtle dove and the work of dedicated farmers, landowners and conservationists in trying to save it is well known. But how can the world of planning policy and local councils help to save this bird? With limited resources, […]
Continue readingFarmers and funders give turtle doves a lifeline in 2018
Laurinda Luffman, RSPB Trusts and Foundations Manager New figures show plight of the turtle dove The latest figures from the government show that farmland bird populations are continuing to decline (by a further 7% between 2011-2016). Of all the farmland species, the turtle dove has seen the most dramatic fall. Numbers of this precious summer […]
Continue readingVolunteers saving turtle doves
Guest blog by Caroline Spinks, Turtle Dove Survey Volunteer Co-ordinator Part of Operation Turtle Dove’s remit is to carry out research in turtle dove breeding grounds/habitats, much of this research relies upon volunteer surveyors heading out in the early hours to look for turtle doves through the breeding season. In Cambridgeshire, Essex, Kent, Norfolk, Suffolk […]
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