
Signs of Hope for the Endangered Turtle Dove
The turtle dove, one of Britain’s most endangered birds, shows signs of recovery after years of decline.
A temporary ban on the annual hunting of these migratory birds in France, Spain, and Portugal, introduced in 2021, has contributed to a 25% increase in its western European population.
This rise includes an additional 400,000 breeding pairs, offering hope for the 2,000 turtle doves still found in England, despite a 98% population drop in the UK over the last three decades.
While the UK’s turtle dove numbers continued to decline in 2024, falling by 15% compared to 2023 due to poor early summer weather, targeted conservation efforts are beginning to yield promising results.
Operation Turtle Dove, a collaboration between farmers, landowners, and conservation groups like the RSPB and Pensthorpe Conservation Trust , has mobilised a record 442 farms and landholdings to create habitats that support breeding success. These efforts focus on providing wild seeds for food, dense scrub for safe nesting, and access to water sources like farm ponds.
To further aid the species, over 20 tonnes of specialised turtle dove seed were distributed to farmers and land managers this year. In Essex alone, supplementary feeding sites increased from 70 to 90 during the summer. Conservationists hope that the improved protection of turtle doves along the western migratory flyway, which spans their wintering grounds in West Africa to southern Europe, will result in more birds reaching England in the coming years, where they can benefit from these enhanced conditions.
The Knepp Estate in West Sussex exemplifies how rewilding can help turtle doves recover. Before rewilding began in 1999, only three singing males were recorded on the 1,400-hectare estate. By 2021, the creation of 450 hectares of sallow and blackthorn thickets saw that number rise to 20 singing males in 2021, with 21 recorded in 2023. Multiple sightings of juveniles confirm successful breeding, as each singing male typically represents a territory.
Mike Shurmer, the head of species for RSPB England, said: “The combined efforts of the landowners and communities we work with to help save the turtle dove is truly heartening. The record number of dedicated farmers and volunteers involved ensures we can continue to support the UK population of this iconic species, and we see more and more of these heroes rewarded with the purring song of the turtle dove returning to their land as a result of the great work they have done.”
He added: “There is real optimism that effective conservation at scale across the turtle dove’s migratory route, combined with our efforts in the UK, will soon see a positive impact for turtle doves. The future now looks a lot brighter for these special birds, and we hope to see the results of the dedicated efforts of farmers, landowners and volunteers when we carry out the next national turtle dove survey.”
With conservation initiatives expanding and international protection efforts in place, there is renewed optimism for the turtle dove. These combined measures may yet reverse the decline of this beloved bird, celebrated in poetry and song.
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