Jonny Rankin ‘steps out’

Keen birdwatcher Jonny Rankin (pictured above) became more and more outraged about the plight of the Turtle Dove as each new catastrophic decline was announced. In 2014, Jonny and friends set up Dove Step with the aim of raising funds for Turtle Dove conservation and research. So far, there have been three Dove Step adventures. These aren’t strolls in the park; they are gruelling feats of endurance and gutsy determination. Dove Step One was a 300-mile walk in 13 days. Dove Step Two involved a 700-mile triathlon: a 25-mile sea kayak, a 570-mile cycle ride and a 150-mile walk all in the space of 14 days. Dove Step Three was an ambitious – almost over-ambitious! - 28day walk across Spain from south to north, a ‘gentle stroll’ of nearly 705 miles! During all three amazing escapades, Jonny and his team raised awareness of the plight of the Turtle Dove and encouraged people to give generously. In total, the three projects have raised a superb £15,000. All funds raised have been added to the Justgiving page of Dove Step and not a penny has gone towards the organisation of the walks. It is a monumental effort and more is planned “after a bit of a rest”! So why did Jonny Rankin feel compelled to embark on such unforgiving quests? “When considering such a massive decline, every little helps”, says Jonny. “Dove Step is a conduit for our concern over species extinction; issues facing all of our Afroeuropean migrants and farmland birds. Funds raised have allowed for 22 acres of foraging habitat to be purchased in the Eastern region and is supporting research on the African wintering grounds in Senegal. Dove Step Three funds are being used to increase Turtle Dove friendly habitat in the UK and to roll out supplementary feeding projects.