Trevor's Tweet

(Note: Click on photos to enlarge image.) The Turtle Dove "On the second day of Christmas  My truelove gave to me Two Turtle Doves...."  "Two Turtle Doves...." Once upon a time the Turtle Dove was a very common farmland bird in the UK, and we are all familiar with the lyrics from the 'Twelve Days of Christmas'. Sadly, though this rather strange Xmas gift might have been quite readily achieved half a century ago, this is now a most unlikely option. What was once a common and widespread farmland bird is declining faster than almost any other UK species. Numbers have apparently dropped by more than 90% since 1970, and are still falling sharply. At this rate the species is predicted to disappear from the British countryside  soon after the year 2020. The decline of the Turtle Dove population is being mirrored across much of the rest of its breeding range in Europe and Western Asia. The species is being hit by habitat loss in Brit...

(Note: Click on photos to enlarge the images) Despite its relatively small size (only 8-10 inches high) the Little Owl is probably the most commonly seen member of the Owl family. This is partly because it commonly sits in very exposed locations and partly because it is happy to perch out in the open throughout daylight hours.The Little Owl was apparently introduced to Britain in the 19th Century (in the year 1842) and has rapidly become one of the commonest species of owl in the UK and Europe. Little Owl in typical daytime location Several people have noticed and remarked on seeing a Little Owl at various locations around Secret valley Golf Course over the past few months. It seems to be most frequently seen on the low wall that runs alongside the main access road to the clubhouse, particularly adjacent to the 11th, 12th and 17th holes. It is also quite often seen in the trees between the 2nd tee and 15th hole but recent work on restoration of the river channel has prob...