The beautiful, soft-voiced turtle dove may be synonymous with Christmas, but as a symbol of courtship and love this endearing bird resonates all year round and must be saved, urges Mark Cocker

Jolly frock-coated robins, majestic geese and arboreal partridges make for both literal and symbolic centrepieces at Christmas, says Matthew Dennison, as he revels in the cultural history of the season’s feathered fowl and game

Letter of the week Dove story I ...

THIS MONTH Barn owls

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH showcases London’s wildlife secrets

Nadia Shaikh seeks good company for a search-and-gorge to get her through the ruthless darkness of the winter months