Turtle Dove Conservation and Welfare

The turtle dove is the UK's fastest-declining migratory bird, with population falls of over 98% since the 1970s. Agricultural change and hunting on migration routes threaten this species acutely.

Key Facts

UK turtle dove populations have declined by 98% since 1970 - the steepest decline of any farmland bird
They require weed-rich field margins for seed-feeding and scrubby hedgerows for nesting
Illegal hunting in Malta and other Mediterranean countries kills thousands annually on migration
Project Turtle Dove creates demonstration farms with optimal seed mixes and nesting structure
Turtle doves have a distinctive purring coo - increasingly rarely heard in English summers
Climate change is shifting the timing of migration, creating mismatches with food availability

Welfare Considerations

Turtle dove welfare involves both the effects of habitat loss and direct persecution on migration. Birds shot illegally in Malta experience acute trauma. Those that survive to reach breeding grounds may find insufficient seed food for successful breeding, causing repeated nest failures with high energetic cost. Juveniles migrating for the first time face a gauntlet of hunting pressure in Mediterranean countries. Project Turtle Dove's farm demonstration approach - creating high-quality feeding and nesting habitat - directly improves breeding welfare outcomes by ensuring birds can meet their nutritional needs.

What You Can Do

Support Operation Turtle Dove's farm advisory and monitoring programme
Advocate for EU enforcement action against illegal bird hunting in Malta and Cyprus
Join BTO BirdTrack turtle dove reporting to track population recovery
Create seed-rich wildflower margins in any land you manage
Donate to RSPB's turtle dove recovery programmes