Wildlife

Wild Turtle Dove Recovery and Welfare

Turtle doves are the UK's fastest-declining farmland bird, threatened by habitat loss, illegal shooting on migration and changes in weed seed availability.

Key Facts

UK turtle dove populations have declined by 98% since 1970
Turtle doves are shot illegally in Mediterranean countries during spring migration
They require farmland with arable weeds including fumitory for feeding and dense scrub for nesting
Operation Turtle Dove provides farmers with guidance and funding for habitat creation
Climate change is reducing breeding season length as doves arrive later and depart earlier

Welfare Considerations

Turtle dove welfare requires action across the entire migratory range from the UK to sub-Saharan Africa. Reducing illegal hunting on migration and farmland habitat restoration are the top priorities.

What You Can Do

Support Operation Turtle Dove and donate to organisations tackling illegal bird hunting in Europe
Create areas of traditional wildflower and arable weed habitat if you manage farmland
Record turtle dove sightings through the BTO survey to support population monitoring