A pair of rare migrating birds lured to a new home in Kent to avoid disruption from refurbishment works have become parents.
When the Environment Agency needed to upgrade its equipment in Minster, near Ramsgate, staff were concerned that the noise would disturb the turtle doves that spend the summer on the site.
The birds migrate to Europe during the summer. Picture: Southern Water
A plan was created with Southern Water and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to entice them to the neighbouring wastewater treatment works by using a trail of seeds.
The utility firm’s field performance manager, Mike Thomas, said: “Diverting rare turtle doves on their migrating course is not part of my job description, but I always help if I can.
“Luring the birds away from their usual foraging route with just seeds worked really well, and we get to see these beautiful birds, who have travelled all the way from Africa, every day during the summer, which is amazing.”
Now the endangered truelove of turtle doves are setting up a potential breeding ground within the trees of the site, and a squad has already been born.
They are being monitored by the RSPB to ensure they are protected throughout the improvement works.
A juvenile – known as a squab – has been born. Picture: Southern WaterThe turtle doves have been moved to a new home. Picture: Southern Water
Conservation officer at the RSPB, Nicole Khan, said: “The collaborative work of Southern Water and Operation Turtle Dove at the site has been a success.
“Turtle doves are Europe’s only migratory dove and spend the winter south of the Sahara, so we are keen to encourage them to the UK whenever we can.”
The Environment Agency has been working with the charity for several years on Operation Turtle Dove on its own site, including setting up feeding stations to provide a supplementary food source for the migratory birds on arrival in the country.
UK turtle dove numbers declined by 99% between 1967 and 2020, due to hunting and lack of seed-rich food in foraging habitats.
However, from 2021 to 2024, there has been a 40% increase in numbers.