Turtle Doves with the RSPB's Louisa Claxton
DATE: Thursday 26th February 2026
TIME: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
JOIN IN: Gresham Village Hall
A BIT ABOUT THE SPEAKER AND THEIR TALK:
"I work as an adviser for Operation Turtle Dove, a partnership project focused on reversing the decline of one of England’s most loved farmland birds. My role is to support farmers and landowners in creating the right habitats to help Turtle Doves breed successfully. Since joining in January 2025, I’ve mainly worked in Suffolk, and it’s been a real pleasure meeting landowners who care deeply about wildlife. In this talk, I’ll give a quick overview of Turtle Dove ecology, the story behind their decline, and the latest updates along their migration route. We’ll explore the habitats they need, how you can help create them, and some of the practical challenges we face. I’ll also touch on the wider benefits for biodiversity and introduce a new Suffolk-based community project - Let’s get ‘Turtle Dove ready’!"
AT THE HALL: Those of you attending in-person at the hall can expect a selection of home-made cakes plus tea, coffee, hot chocolate, wine and cold drinks during the interval and of course the chance to socialise with other members. We can cater for gluten-free or other requirements if you let us know in advance. We have a 2nd hand ‘natural world’ book stall for you to purchase from / contribute your no-longer-required stock to, supplies of our publications to buy (including our annual bird reports), a display of member photos and details on our upcoming events. We are happy to offer members’ old birding equipment for sale at our events (or in our newsletter) with a contribution going to club funds.
BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS: It is always nice to know if you are coming to the hall but by no means essential so if it takes your fancy on the evening, please just turn up as we would love to see you and we have plenty of space!
ACCESSIBILITY: The hall is wheelchair accessible. The level car park at the hall is shingle but we can reserve a space next to the entrance if you need it.
GOING GREEN!: The hall isn’t really accessible by public transport but if you are able to walk or cycle to the event that would be fantastic! Alternatively, car-sharing is encouraged. We are working on a way to best facilitate this but in the meantime, have a chat with folks at any of our events and contact them by email via the member page of our website to arrange something for next time, or let us know and we will try to put you in touch.
DIRECTIONS: Gresham Village Hall, East Beckham Road off Church Lane, Gresham, Norfolk, NR11 8RT but note the published postcode might not take you to exactly the right spot! If you are coming through Aylmerton and Lower Gresham, turn right by the church (just after the school) and the hall is on your left. If you are coming through Gresham, turn left at the church (just before the school) and the hall is on your left. If you are dropping down from East Beckham, the hall is on your right opposite the church.
PARKING: Access to the hall car park is off East Beckham Road, opposite the church. There is additional parking on the road along the side of the church itself and an overflow car park has kindly been offered to us by Gresham Village School. The school car park is located on Cromer Road to the left of the school as you face it and at the left-hand end of the row of houses – about a 300m walk from the hall. Please park considerately to allow maximum number of cars in the car parks and on the road but with enough space for passing traffic to be able to get through, including agricultural vehicles. We can send you a map of the locality on request.
