Spring is here and many migrant birds have already arrived from their African wintering grounds including the first Swallows and Nightingales. Turtle Doves – previously one of the fastest declining breeding birds in the UK – have been arriving in Cambridgeshire for the last few weeks.
We work with many farmers, landowners, and other groups across Cambridgeshire (and a small area of Bedfordshire near to our RSPB The Lodge reserve) providing advice and support to improve conditions for this beautiful bird. They nest in thick scrub or wide / tall hedgerows, feed on the ground for seeds and regularly frequent ponds or other water bodies to drink. We are always keen to know of any areas where Turtle Doves may occur.
It’s so important to work in partnership to support the recovery of this iconic breeding bird. We hope that with your support we will get a better understanding of our Cambridgeshire Turtle Dove population and encourage a wider network of landowners / land managers to get involved in maintaining and / or creating suitable habitat and volunteers interested in supporting us with surveys or habitat creation.