Turtle Dove

A once frequent summer visitor to the reserve during the 60's & 70's with breeding records for both decades. Now regarded as a very rare summer visitor. It seems really sad that after breeding throughout the 70's, only a single bird has been reported in the last 30+ years.

18/05/61 - 4 birds. Bred this year.

15/07/62 - Single bird. Single bird also seen on 12/08.

15/07/64 - 5 birds.

28/06/65 - 2 birds.

11/08/66 - 3 birds. 4 birds on 25/08. & 3 birds seen on 01/09.

06/07/67 - 2 birds.

1968 - Singles during May & June.

02/06/69 - 2 birds. 3 birds seen on 07/08.

07/05/70 - 2 birds. 5 birds seen on 09/07.

1971 - 3 pairs bred.

1973 - 3 pairs bred.

1974 - Recorded.

1975 - 2 pairs bred.

1977 - Bred.

1978 - Bred.

1979 - Bred.

11/05/84 - Single bird. (BS).

22/07/06 - heard purring by Dave Lester (warden at the time)