Thought I'd share a few images taken this summer of the local Turtle Doves that continue to battle on despite the horrific migration they are subjected to across the Mediterranean.
Sightings within the Gravel Pit boundary are now very limited since the area where the Doves feed daily was flattened by Cemex a number of summers ago despite it being pointed out how valuable this small area was to the birds. The area has since had no purpose at all which makes the work done even more senseless. The RSPB were also in attendance at this meeting yet they did nothing to protect this small area.
Thankfully one local land owner remain very sympathic to the birds and has helped endlessly to try and keep them as a breeding species. The good news for the birds now is that they are practically on private land the whole time during the summer and the area is well protected.
There were no juveniles reported this year for the first time which is very disappointing but the breeding area is in very thick cover. There was only a couple of juvenile sightings the previous year.
Nationally Turtle Doves numbers have fallen by a staggering 71% between 2010 and 2015, if you search on BirdTrack it really backs this fact up.
Let's keep everything crossed that the birds make it back next summer and they fight back from their perilous position.
Many thanks to those who help watch the key areas and report back sightings.
No comments:
Post a Comment