A Date with a Dove

Richard Baines – North York Moors National Park Turtle Dove Officer

Was Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, a birdwatcher? As she sat about looking pretty with doves fluttering around her feet maybe she wondered when Turtle Doves would arrive back in Yorkshire from Africa that year!

Valentine’s Day has long been associated with doves, specifically Turtle Doves, and true love. This may have a link with science. Turtle Doves have been known to have a preference for monogamous partnerships; their strong connection is played out during their beautiful display when they first arrive back on their breeding grounds. The male will sing his soft purring song then fly up above the trees, fan his black and white tail and glide effortlessly down, making sure the female is watching!

These photographs – kindly donated to our project by local photographer Richard Bennett – illustrate the wonderful care and attention Turtle Doves put into their post breeding courtship whether they are with the same mate as the previous year (or trying to woo a new one…. )

In the past few months I have had lots of requests from organisations in Yorkshire to talk on the National Lottery funded North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project. Happy to oblige, here are some up-coming evening talks over the next few months. Please note romance is not guaranteed but lots of interesting facts and enthusiasm are.

22 February 2018	Newton-on-Rawcliffe Parish Council	Newton-on-Rawcliffe Village Hall	Starting 19:30
5 March 2018	Malton & Norton Green Drinks	Malton Blue Ball Inn	Starting 20:00
7 March 2018	Levisham with Lockton WI	Lockton Village Hall	Starting 19:30
4 April 2018	North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project	Dalby Forest Visitor Centre	Starting 19:00
17 April 2018	Ryedale Natural History Society	Kirkbymoorside Methodist Hall	Starting 19:30
19 April 2018	North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project	Yorkshire Arboretum	Starting 19:00
24 April 2018	East Yorkshire RSPB Group	North Bridlington Library	Starting 19:30