Rick Bayne, Senior Project Manager for Operation Turtle Dove, reflects on good news for the species. It’s that time of year again when anticipation builds around the imminent return of migrant bird species that use the UK to breed and raise their young. Whilst Chiffchaffs already seem to be everywhere and there are widespread reports […]
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Double your impact for Turtle Doves
5th December 2024 6pm update: We’ve just hit £60,000! Thanks to everyone that has donated so far. Please help us hit our £100,000 target by next Tuesday! Getting the UK ‘Turtle Dove Ready’ Between 3 and 10 December, we’re joining the Big Give’s Christmas Challenge. That means for one week only, your festive donation to […]
Continue readingBon voyage and see you next spring!
Bramble bushes are laden with berries, spiders’ webs are catching early morning dew and the flowers of earlier in the year have transformed into crisp seedheads – summer is slowly drifting into autumn. For us that means seeing the countryside shift from the greens and yellows of spring and summer to the reds and oranges […]
Continue readingBig news – Turtle Dove numbers in Western Europe are on the up!
With summer in full swing and our advisors out and about working with farmers and other land managers, we’ve had really encouraging reports of Turtle Doves, including young birds, in places where people are actively managing the land to help these special visitors. Recovery begins It’s great to hear when Turtle Doves have returned to […]
Continue readingTurtle Doves – Can you hear them yet?
Spring means one thing for anyone involved in Turtle Dove conservation – Turtle Doves are returning! As we write this in early April, the birds will have already spread their wings and be well into their long voyage from the savannahs of West Africa, across the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea and into Iberia and […]
Continue readingGet creative!
Turtle Doves are beautiful birds and they feed on the seeds of very some pretty plants. We’ve combined the two in a colouring sheet that you can download below. Get creative! We’d love to see your completed colouring sheets – share them with us at @SaveTurtleDoves on Twitter/X or email them to an advisor. Download […]
Continue readingGiving the gift of hope: How hundreds of farmers and volunteers across South East and Eastern England are helping to save rare Turtle Doves
As 2023 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the fantastic efforts that have been made this year to support Turtle Dove conservation. Hundreds of UK farmers, landowners and volunteers are helping to give the gift of hope for Turtle Doves, working with Operation Turtle Dove to provide better nesting and feeding habitat for the […]
Continue readingAct now to help Turtle Doves when they return next spring – apply for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier grants
Turtle Doves have received a lot of love this spring and summer – a huge thanks to all of you who are managing land for Turtle Doves. From creating seed-rich habitats to managing hedgerows and scrub sensitively and providing supplementary seed, we’re delighted to be working with so many dedicated people across East Anglia and […]
Continue readingTurtle Doves are back – and we’re celebrating some great news
The arrival of warmer weather and brighter days brings with it the arrival of much-loved migratory birds, including the Turtle Dove. In the past few days we’ve heard from excited colleagues who have spotted their first Turtle Doves of the year – what a joyful sight! We can once again listen out for the Turtle […]
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