Wildlife

UK Turtle Dove Conservation Emergency

Emergency conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of turtle doves as breeding birds in England.

Key Facts

Turtle dove populations have declined by 98% since 1970 in the UK
England now has fewer than 2,500 breeding pairs of turtle doves
Loss of weed seeds and suitable nesting habitat drives decline
Operation Turtle Dove provides targeted support to landowners for turtle dove conservation
African wintering grounds and migration routes are additional conservation challenges

Welfare Considerations

Individual turtle doves face welfare risks from food scarcity, nest failure, and migration hazards, with farmland management practices directly affecting survival.

What You Can Do

Support Operation Turtle Dove through the RSPB
Create supplementary feeding plots with wild bird seed mixes
Advocate for agri-environment measures targeting turtle dove habitat