Collared Dove

Zoos are not only good places to see and photograph those hard to find species but they also attract a lot of local wild species. On this occasion I used this visit to photograph the local wildlife which lives in and around the zoo. These Collared Doves were not even a European species when I was born though they were slowly spreading into South-eastern Europe from their Middle Eastern origins. Within 20 years the first ones arrived in the UK and now they have virtually ousted the Turtle Dove which used to be a common summer visitor. For a full article on their spread see the reference link below.