Wildlife

Turtle Dove Conservation and Farmland Welfare

The turtle dove is Britain's fastest declining bird, having lost over 98% of its population since 1970 due to agricultural intensification and hunting on migration.

Key Facts

Turtle dove populations have declined by 98% in the UK since 1970
They require arable weeds as seed sources for their chicks
Mediterranean hunting kills millions of turtle doves on migration annually
Operation Turtle Dove is coordinating recovery efforts across UK farms
The species breeds almost exclusively in lowland arable farmland with hedgerows

Welfare Considerations

Turtle doves shot illegally on migration suffer acute trauma. Those struggling to find food on intensively farmed land face breeding failure through inability to raise chicks adequately. Farm-level interventions including arable margins with seed-rich weeds and reduced pesticide use can provide the resources this species needs. Advocacy against illegal shooting on migration routes is equally essential.

What You Can Do

Support Operation Turtle Dove through RSPB and volunteer farm surveys
Advocate for agri-environment payments supporting turtle dove habitat on farms
Engage with campaigns against illegal hunting of migratory birds
Record turtle dove sightings immediately as every record is valuable
Support farmland habitat management that benefits turtle doves and other declining species