Welcome to our South East Christmas Countdown no.1.
Did you guess that the turtle dove has been given an extra special present by some RSPB members? If you missed no.2 in the Countdown, you can read it here.
Christmas is a time of celebration! In our countdown to Christmas, we would like to share with you some of this year’s success stories, about some of our most threatened birds in the South East. In September, the State of Nature 2016 report was published. It highlights the alarming decline of many UK species, but it also showed that we can turn the fortunes of our wildlife around, given determination, resources, public support and conservation action.
About turtle doves
These birds are more often heard than seen, and their distinctive, gentle, purring song has long been a characteristic sound of summer. Although adults will travel several kilometres to find food, juveniles only fly a few hundred metres to feed in the first few weeks of their life.
Turtle doves are the only migratory dove species in Europe, travelling from sub-Saharan Africa to breed in the south east of the UK. We now know that turtle doves migrate largely at night, covering up to 700km (434 miles) in one flight, and flying at speeds of around 60kph (37mph)
This iconic British species has suffered a 93% UK population decline since 1995, suffering from hunting on migration, disease and a loss of suitable habitat in both its breeding and non-breeding range.
Good news from 2016
We are working with farmers across the South East in Turtle Dove Friendly Zones (TDFZs) to give the birds a home. We are researching the decline of these birds through the partnership project Operation Turtle Dove. Two turtle dove advisors have now been employed, and they will support the development of new habitats off reserve. Our most recent success story is in Staple, Kent, where, with our support, four RSPB members have purchased a plot of land to turn this into a miniature turtle dove reserve.
David and Ann Tingey and David and Bridget Burridge joined forces to protect a patch of private land, which they bought using their own money and donations from friends.
The open ground has been a summer home to migratory turtle doves for over seven years, but the habitat was at risk as part of the Summerfield Nursery sale. So the two couples, passionate conservationists, approached the landowners and with the RSPB’s support, agreed the purchase the land.
Up to four male turtle doves were heard making their distinctive purring call at the site this summer. The RSPB will be giving ongoing practical help and expertise in managing the land for the birds as part of Operation Turtle Dove.
Tara Proud, Operation Turtle Dove project manager, said “We’re absolutely thrilled by the generosity and enthusiasm that has been shown by the Burridges and the Tingeys. Turtle doves need all the help they can get and patches of land like this, managed with the birds in mind, play a vital role in their conservation.”
Find out more about this story.
Our work wouldn’t be possible without your continued support, through membership, volunteering and even your Christmas purchases in our shops. On behalf of our teams and all the wildlife you have helped us to save, thank you, and have a great Christmas!
*data sourced from Breeding Bird Survey bird population trends
One final puzzle for you!
We’ve celebrated success stories from 2016; we hope you’ve enjoyed them! Tomorrow, we’ll give you some ideas on how you can get involved and make a difference in 2017 and provide one final puzzle for you!