Talk: Operation Turtle Dove - Bringing Back the Sound of Summer

A 45-minute talk via Zoom, followed by a Q&A

Speaker: Shivani Thevar, RSPB adviser with Operation Turtle Dove for the Sussex, Hampshire and West Kent areas

A talk for everyone, including beginners. Free to members of the RSPB Central London Local Group; non-members welcome for a donation. See ticket info below.

The Turtle Dove is a very familiar and popular bird: a symbol of love; a sound of summer with its soft "purr"; a feature of winter in a Christmas song.

But in recent decades the species began to disappear from the British landscape at an alarming rate, turning from a symbol of love into a symbol of environmental doom.

Now there is hope. As we will find out in this talk, conservation efforts are starting to get results, and are being expanded.

In this talk you will learn:

• Fascinating facts about this distinctive bird, including its lifecycle and place in culture
• Details of its epic journey as the only long-distance migratory dove species in Europe
• Why its numbers in the UK have plummeted by an estimated 99% since the late 1960s
• How conservation measures are succeeding in boosting its numbers once more
• Up-to-date information on laws to protect it on its migration route from Africa to the UK
• What habitat it needs to breed in the UK and how farmers and the rest of us can help

Photos above: No 1 © Les Bunyan, 2 and 3 by Ben Andrew © rspb-images.com

About the speaker

Shivani Thevar, above right conducting a survey, has a master's degree in wildlife conservation and has worked for the RSPB for more than three years.

As an adviser with Operation Turtle Dove, she supports farmers and landowners to create the right habitat for Turtle Doves so they can have a successful breeding season in the UK.

In her free time Shivani can often be found focusing on many other species too as a keen birdwatcher.

Photo above by Sam Turley © rspb-images.com

How to join the talk

This event will be streamed live via ZOOM to members of the RSPB Central London Local Group. There is no charge for members to attend, but it is essential to book a place. (If you are sharing a screen with someone you only need one ticket.)

Non-members are also welcome to attend for a donation of your choice, which will support the work of the RSPB and Operation Turtle Dove. Please select a non-member ticket.

If you would like to join the RSPB Central London Local Group (£10 a year or free if you are aged 16-24) please email rspb.cllg.contact@gmail.com

Newcomers are very welcome, whether you are a beginner, a seasoned birdwatcher or interested in learning more about nature and the environment in general.

Photo of Turtle Dove pair above © Abdullah Al Khlde