Ashill, Norfolk

Every year in May I visit a site outside of the village of Ashill for the purpose of locating one of our sadly, most severely declining summer migrants, the Turtle Dove.  For many years now the site in question has produced singing and displaying birds, and this morning this was my intended target species.

Yellowhammer at Ashill 09/05/16

It was pleasing this morning to see good numbers of singing and displaying Whitethroats with 6+ birds noted.  One Lesser Whitethroat was heard and it was interesting to see the differing habitat requirements of the two species. Whitethroats are happy with low hedges with nettle and other long cover to nest in, whereas Lesser Whitethroats choose taller 'untidy' hedges with more mature tree species within.
Yellowhammers were well represented with several pairs seen, also seen was a female bird carrying a beak full of dried grasses for nesting materials.



Several Collared Doves were calling, lots of Wood Pigeons about, and a pair of Stock Doves were seen at my intended destination, I stood and waited.  The wind was stronger than recent days, and although very warm, I had to listen carefully.  A couple of Willow Warblers also sang.  Then, at 0700, I raised a smile when I heard within this bird song the familiar "turrr turrr" song of Turtle Dove.  This beautiful and extremely welcome song was heard on a number of occasions, I was also treated to a brief view of a Turtle Dove in flight.  
My walk back continued with thoughts of this Turtle Dove and what this bird has overcome to reach our shores.  As well as natural obstacles, this species is a favourite quarry of hunters around much of the Mediterranean, and I have read very sad accounts of millions of these gorgeous birds being killed each year.
Much literature is written about the plight of this, the worlds only migratory Pigeon/Dove species.  It is sadly a rare bird in Britain now.  I hope their fortunes change.