Collared Dove photographed at La Claire Mare on 10/10/2014 Photo: © Mike Cunningham (visit site)

Formerly restricted in Europe to the area including Turkey and the Balkans this species underwent a major range expansion to the west and northwest beginning about 1930. The Netherlands and Scandinavia were reached in 1949 and Britain and Ireland were colonised in the mid 1950's. An area of 2.5 million km2 was covered in only 40 years.

The first record for Guernsey was one at Ivy Gates on the 15th May 1962. Two were found at the same site on the 22nd May and they were believed to have been present for some weeks previously. In the same year others were recorded at the Vale Pond and La Bigard. By 1964 the species was noted as widespread with breeding confirmed from several gardens in St Peter Port.

Throughout its range the species has a long breeding season: mid February to mid October. They have an average of 3.8 clutches per pair per year with overall production of 2.5 young fledged per pair per year in an urban study. This productivity has helped the species to achieve a widespread distribution. Local concentrations occur around particular food sources with high counts of over 50 at Vale Pond , Paradis and Les Varendes. In Normandy it occurred in 94% of the atlas squares during 1985-1988. Interestingly the first record for Cherbourg was in 1962 the same year as in Guernsey.

Although they are basically resident birds there is evidence of migration mainly by immature birds. The site at Carolles in Normandy records between 100 and 500 birds each autumn.

Present in Alderney since 1965 the species has established itself with an apparently stable population of about 50 pairs.

It is believed that the species first colonised Sark in 1965. Two pairs were in La Seigneurie trees in 1966. At the end of 1966 up to 20 birds were to be found around the same area.By the end of 1970 this had increased to over 80. Culling reduced this number and the closure of La Seigneurie poultry yards in 1972 further reduced the population to approx six pairs.