Dove-lightful! 2024 Doodle a Dove Celebration

17 Jan

Winners and runners-up of the *Doodle a Dove* competition with Iolo Williams.

Conservation organisations, volunteers, and supporters joined together to celebrate the winners of the Doodle a Dove competition and recognise the amazing progress made in 2023 to support the threatened Turtle Dove population which migrates to North Yorkshire each year.

The majestic Turtle Dove is our smallest and rarest dove, but their numbers have declined by 99% since 1970 placing them on the red list of bird species . Wintering in Africa, each spring the Turtle Dove makes a 3,000+ migratory journey from West Africa, through southern Europe, to the UK’s shores.

The North York Moors National Park is home to a nationally significant breeding population - the furthest north in Europe. As a result, you will find a collection of dedicated local organisations, volunteers, communities, and land managers working collaboratively in the North York Moors National Park and surrounding areas to create habitat to support our local Turtle Dove population, as well as other species and invertebrates, to thrive.

The North York Moors Trust are proud to be leading Birds on the Edge, a four-year National Lottery Heritage Funded project to restore and create rich habitat for Turtle Dove, such as ponds, pools, and wildflower plots, as well as creating opportunities for diverse range of communities and young people to connect with nature through hands-on nature-based activities and creative workshops.

The Doodle a Dove competition was a joint enterprise between the North York Moors Trust, North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project, Friends of Dalby Forest, North York Moors National Park Authority, and Howardian Hills National Landscape to raise community awareness about the plight of the Turtle Dove and encourage a more holistic approach to nature connection.

Winners and runners-up of the Doodle a Dove competition were announced at a celebration event with friends and colleagues at Castle Howard on Saturday 13th January, where we were joined also by Iolo Williams and competition sponsor, Leica UK.

Overall best doodle:

Winner - Francesca Pert

Runners-up: Amy Primavera, Rebecca Appleton

Professional:

Winner - Jeni Davies

Runners-up - Sarah Hutchinson, Ruth Weaver

Youth:

Winner - Benji

Runners-up: Daniel, Nancy