Wildlife Welfare

Turtle Dove Recovery Welfare Challenges

Turtle doves are Europe's most rapidly declining migratory bird, and recovery requires addressing welfare-relevant threats across their entire migratory range.

Key Facts

UK turtle dove populations have declined by 98% since 1970
Intensification of arable farming has eliminated their preferred wildflower seed food sources
Hunting pressure during migration through France, Malta, and North Africa adds mortality
Operation Turtle Dove is coordinating multi-stakeholder recovery efforts
The species needs nest sites, clean water, and supplementary seed provision on farmland

Welfare Considerations

Individual turtle doves face food shortages, hunting pressure, and habitat loss across their entire annual cycle. Recovery programs that address each pressure simultaneously are needed to prevent extinction of this species from Britain.

What You Can Do

Create turtle dove habitat on farmland or support farmers doing so
Advocate against turtle dove hunting in EU member states during migration
Support Operation Turtle Dove and BTO monitoring programs