Turning Turtle

This isn't a common-or-garden, run-of-the-mill Collared Dove. This is a Turtle Dove, a species whose population has plummeted in recent decades. We caught and ringed a young bird today as part of a project to understand what's going on - is there a problem in Europe, or on their African wintering grounds?

I imagine not many people get to hold a Turtle Dove, so I feel very privileged. Hope it makes it safely across Europe - dodging hunters and bad weather - and on to Africa. And then back again next spring.