The issues facing turtle doves are complex and long in the making, fully understanding these issues has itself proved difficult. The new turtle dove Species Action Plan brings together all of the latest research and on the ground knowledge alongside the necessary steps to safeguard the very existence of this species. For Operation Turtle Dove […]
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Managing land and forging relationships for turtle dove conservation
Emma Stobart of the RSPB works with farmers and land managers to provide advice on how to manage and improve habitats for turtle doves in the UK. Here she talks about what the Action Plan means for this important area of work. I’m Emma, and I work for the RSPB on behalf of the Operation […]
Continue readingGiving Turtle Doves an extra helping (hand) – supplementary feeding
One of the top priorities within the European Action Plan for Turtle Dove is a call for emergency measures to provide more seed food for these birds on their breeding grounds. Guy Anderson of the RSPB, describes a quick and easy way this can be done. We have known for some time that shortage of […]
Continue readingAsking questions and trialling solutions – the importance of science in our work to save the turtle dove
In our series of inspirational Action Plan blogs, Tony Morris from RSPB highlights how research is a key component in the conservation toolkit for our work on turtle dove. I am Tony Morris, the Principal Research Manager at RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science. Although my job is now largely desk-bound, once upon a time, not […]
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Celebrating a new chapter for turtle dove conservation
On the day of the ‘Eyes on the Flyways’ conference where a suite of action plans, including the Turtle Dove Action Plan, will be celebrated, Carles Carboneras from the RSPB reflects on the work that has gone into making the Action Plan for turtle doves a reality and highlights the next important steps. My name […]
Continue readingTurtle Doves – where are they now?
Guest blog by Dr John Mallord, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, four calling birds, three French hens, and a partridge in a pear tree, it seems someone thought birds were the ideal Christmas gift to one’s true love. Not forgetting, of course, two Turtle Doves, symbol of true […]
Continue readingPonds for turtle doves
British farmland birds have experienced a population decline of 56% since 1970, with some species such as Turtle Dove and Tree Sparrow decreasing by over 90%. The intensification of agriculture and associated reductions of food availability and suitable nesting habitat is known to be one of the main drivers of these population crashes. One key […]
Continue readingWorking together for turtle doves – the launch of a Turtle Dove Friendly Zone
Turtle doves are declining at an alarming rate, and we know that one of the best ways we can help them is by ensuring that they have the seed food that they need, as well as nesting habitat and access to water on their breeding grounds. To do this at a large enough scale, we […]
Continue readingSussex farmer supporting turtle doves
Laurinda Luffman, RSPB chair of a migrant bird fundraising group, talks about a recent visit with farmer John Ford, to see his work to support turtle doves in Sussex Most of my days are office-based at the RSPB headquarters in Sandy, so it’s always a treat to be able to visit projects and meet the […]
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All For The Love of a Dove
Thank you to Robert Yaxley for this update on the Dove Step 3 Challenge from Spain… As you read this, Jonny Rankin and myself with the help of support drivers Sven Wair and Malcolm Fairley will be halfway through a monumental physical walking challenge. The march from Tarifa to Gijon, crossing mainland Spain from south […]
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