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Where to see Turtle Doves, Help Conservation and Drink Beer!
Thu 17th Mar, 2022
We are nearly at the end of a year-long international campaign to help raise funds for European Turtle Doves. The Year of the Dove (Y.O.D) is a year-long campaign to help save our rapidly declining Turtle Doves from extinction. Organised by Champions of the Flyway, the campaign reaches its climax this spring.
Champions of the Flyway - BirdLife International teaching the next generation
In North Yorkshire we are raising awareness and funds on four fronts; Running, more running, Yorkshire Coast Nature Seabird and Whale Trip sales and drinking beer! Read on to find out how you can help us.
- Jonny Rankin and Robin Sandham are taking on a massive challenge. The Great North Dove Run on the 25th and 26th March, is an ultra-marathon of 110km between Dalby Forest and Spurn Bird Observatory – to support them please CLICK HERE.
- Mark Pearson has recently achieved his goal of running from his couch to 500k to raise as much cash as possible for our doves. – to donate to Mark’s page CLICK HERE
- Yorkshire Coast Nature Seabird and Whale Trips are a fantastic way to see our amazing wildlife. YCN are also donating £10 from each place booked until May 31st. To see all the trip details and book CLICK HERE
- What about the beer? you may be asking. My fund raising has been based on selling as much Y.O.D beer as possible alongside promoting my Just Giving Page. Thanks to Brass Castle Brewery we have our own branded Turtle Dove beer (designed by Jo Ruth) on sale at North York Moors National Park Visitor Centres; Sutton Bank and Danby. 20p from every can sold goes to Y.O.D.
Year of the Dove Beer on sale at North York Moors National Park Visitor Centres
Our North Yorkshire Turtle Doves arrive back from Africa in April. One of the best places to see them in the north of England is at Sutton Bank National Park Visitor Centre. Last year there were five birds seen on lots of dates in spring. I recommend arriving early in the morning before the site gets busy.
European Turtle Dove North Yorkshire © Richard Baines
Turtle Doves are often seen around the bird feeders and in the willow trees near the visitor centre. Please stay until the centre opens and buy some beer to celebrate, hopefully not to drown your sorrows!
Thank you, from Yorkshire's Turtle Doves!
Richard Baines
North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project Volunteer Officer and YCN Director
Year of the Dove (logo by Jo Ruth Design)