Having tried and failed to locate any Turtle Doves at Fowlmere RSPB on Bank holiday Monday, we decided to pay the site another visit. This time arriving shortly after 6.30am.
We headed along the footpath past the information hut and took the left hand fork towards Spring Hide. A short distance along the path the soft "purring" of the first Turtle Dove was heard.
The walk continued past Spring Hide and on towards the Reedbed Hide. As we approached another Turtle Dove started calling. After a bit of searching it was located among thick cover near the top of a tree, allowing half decent views through the scope.
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| Reedbed Hide at Fowlmere |
From the hide the usual reedbed birds were seen, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting and a female Marsh harrier emerged from the reeds.
Leaving the hide another Turtle Dove could be heard. The dead tree among the reeds was scanned and sure enough there was the Turtle Dove. We enjoyed views of Turtle Doves for the next hour at different areas. Only managing a couple of hand held phone to scope shots.
Before leaving we managed a brief view of a Barn Owl. Brief or not it's always a welcome sight.
I'd love to see a Turtle Dove in the wild, I love their purr its so sweet!
ReplyDeleteHI Jeni
DeleteFowlmere has been very reliable this year. At least five singing males. There's a dead tree to the left of the track leading to the Reedbed Hide. This has been a good spot, but anywhere around this area could produce a sighting.