We celebrate the RSPB’s turtle dove Conservation Advisors and how their on-the-ground conservation work is supporting the survival of these romantic figures. Turtle doves have long been a symbol of love. They are often seen in pairs and their beauty and soothing song have inspired artists throughout history in their depictions of romance. They have […]
Continue readingTurtle Dove Talk
Crossing borders to learn more about turtle doves
Jos Ashpole from the RSPB reflects on a growing partnership for turtle doves between the UK and the Netherlands. While we are now in the depths of winter, in this blog we’ll head back to a beautiful summer’s day when my colleague Tony Morris and I set out for the green Suffolk countryside. Our travels […]
Continue readingAutumnal journeys of turtle doves
Dr John Mallord from the RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science has been tracking turtle doves over the last few years to learn more about their migratory journeys. Here he describes the journeys the birds made on their southbound autumnal migration in 2019. All migrant birds face numerous challenges as they move between their breeding to […]
Continue readingReflecting on 2019
Thanks to dedicated research, we know that turtle doves are now far from the chilly UK. They have swapped the hedgerows and fields of the UK countryside for sub-Saharan Africa where you’ll find them in dense Acacia thickets where they roost and open grasslands and fields where the birds feed up. To find out more […]
Continue readingInspired by turtle doves – art raising funds for special bird
Turtle doves have long been part of our culture. Most people will know them from the Christmas carol, ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, but they also feature in poetry, pop songs and paintings. With their beautiful plumage and patterns, turtle doves continue to inspire artists to this day. Richard Baines of the North Yorkshire Turtle […]
Continue readingManaging land for turtle doves
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 readingDove 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 readingUpper Wensum Cluster Farm Group- feeding trials update
By Eliza Emmett – Upper Wensum Cluster Farm Group’s advisor The influential work of the Upper Wensum Cluster Farm Group continues to grow and develop. The landscape-scale conservation project now consists of 22 farmers and covers more than 9,000 hectares of the cherished Upper Wensum river valley in Norfolk. In our spring blog, I shared […]
Continue readingMaking progress with turtle dove conservation in 2019
As turtle doves prepare for their long journey south for the winter, we’re celebrating the hard work that has gone on this year into making sure that these birds have places to feed, drink and nest during their time here in the UK. People from south-east England, East Anglia and North Yorkshire have come together […]
Continue readingLooking out for turtle doves in France
Turtle doves are now back on their breeding grounds in East Anglia and south-east England, feeding up and raising their chicks. Earlier this spring though, they crossed agricultural land, desert and seas in their travels. One site in France is renowned for being a great place to witness turtle dove migration in action. Jeremy Dupuy […]
Continue reading