Seeking the Turtle Dove - A magical wildlife adventure

Seeking the Turtle Dove was a collaboration between community artist Kate Rider, singer and musician Bridget Cousins and puppeteer Viv Mousdell.

The mysterious trail ran through the woods discovering captivating sights and sounds of this elusive bird, a symbol through the ages of love and peace.

Participants learnt about its perilous migration to West Africa and became part of this extraordinary journey with their own kite puppet. Finally, they celebrated, with song, for it’s hopeful return in spring and it thriving into a sustainable future.

About the artists

Together we are Vivify.

We bring creatures, places & ideas to life through puppetry, music, song & story. Audience participation and creative collaboration is at the heart of whatever we make.

In 2020 we were commissioned by Forestry England & funded by Arts Council England to research & develop a magical, interactive journey to publicise the plight of the endangered Turtle Dove and to engage children & their families in its remarkable story.

We spent the summer testing out ideas in Dalby Forest and have developed a performance and learning activities for KS1 children.

The performance was aimed at small audiences in a natural outdoor setting.

The story was inspired by the North Yorkshire Turtle Dove project, which was a partnership project between the Forestry England, the North York Moors National Park Authority and many others.