Wildlife

Wild Turtle Dove Recovery Programme

Operation Turtle Dove provides farmers and landowners with guidance and funding to create the specific habitat turtle doves need to survive in the UK.

Key Facts

Turtle dove populations declined by 98% between 1970 and 2018
Operation Turtle Dove has enrolled thousands of farmers in habitat creation for turtle doves
Fumitory and other arable weeds provide the seed food turtle doves depend on
Dense scrub and bramble provide nesting cover near feeding areas
Illegal hunting reduction in southern Europe is being pursued by BirdLife International partnerships

Welfare Considerations

Turtle dove welfare recovery requires both UK habitat creation and international protection from illegal hunting. Operation Turtle Dove provides a practical framework for farmer engagement in turtle dove recovery.

What You Can Do

Join Operation Turtle Dove if you manage farmland with potential for habitat creation
Support BirdLife International campaigns tackling illegal hunting of migratory songbirds
Record turtle dove sightings through BTO surveys immediately when encountered