Wildlife

Turtle Dove Conservation: A Species in Crisis

The turtle dove has declined by 98% in the UK since 1970, facing threats from agricultural intensification, hunting on migration, and habitat loss.

Key Facts

UK turtle dove population has fallen from 125,000 pairs to under 3,000
They migrate from sub-Saharan Africa each spring across the Mediterranean
Legal hunting of turtle doves continues in France, Malta, and Greece
Loss of seed-rich habitats from arable farming has eliminated food sources
Operation Turtle Dove runs habitat restoration on farms across England

Welfare Considerations

Turtle doves hunted during migration experience gunshot wounds, stress, and death. Many shot birds are not cleanly killed, suffering injuries. The collapse of food availability on breeding grounds means surviving birds have insufficient energy reserves for migration. The decline represents the loss of millions of individual birds over decades, each experiencing the welfare harms of starvation and habitat loss.

What You Can Do

Support Operation Turtle Dove and RSPB conservation programmes
Advocate for an end to turtle dove hunting in EU member states
Plant seed-rich plants in gardens and on farm margins
Engage your MP to support migrant bird protection
Support agri-environment schemes providing turtle dove habitat