Celebrate with a Dove Story
We celebrate the RSPB’s turtle dove Conservation Advisors and how their on-the-ground conservation work is supporting the survival of these romantic figures.
Crossing borders to learn more about turtle doves
Jos Ashpole from the RSPB reflects on a growing partnership for turtle doves between the UK and the Netherlands.
Autumnal journeys of turtle doves
Dr John Mallord from the RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science has been tracking turtle doves over the last few years to learn more about their migratory journeys. Here he describes the journeys the birds made on their southbound autumnal migration in 2019.
Reflecting on 2019
As the turtle doves sun themselves in the winter sunshine and as another year draws to a close, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on the work that’s going on to help save this iconic Christmas bird. It has been a busy year, find out about some of our highlights.
Managing land for turtle doves
Turtle doves are now making their long southward journeys to sub-Saharan Africa to spend the winter months. They may only have just left. But it’s not too early to start thinking about the things we can all do to provide them with feeding, nesting and drinking sites when they return next spring.
Turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) are in trouble; they are vulnerable to global extinction (IUCN Red List of Endangered Species). They have suffered a 94% UK population decline since 1995 and a 78% decline across Europe since 1980. At this current rate of change if we don’t help this species scientists calculate that complete UK extinction as a breeding species will be a real possibility.
Operation Turtle Dove has an important and urgent mission to reverse the fortunes of this enigmatic and culturally significant bird. Please help us to save them.
Blog: Turtle Dove Talk
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How can I help turtle doves on my land?
Providing habitat is a vital component of turtle dove conservation. If you farm or manage land, there are a number of ways in which you can help support the species and benefit your rural business while doing so. Options can include:
How can I help turtle doves at home?
Decisions you make in the garden or the supermarket can help turtle doves in a variety of ways:
How to see a turtle dove
Turtle doves are in the UK – predominantly the east and south east of England -from April to September every year. Here are some ways you can get involved:
Ways you can help
Shop
Your shopping choices can help give turtle doves a home
Create habitat
You can provide turtle doves with habitat they need on your farm or in your garden
Log a sighting
Seen a turtle dove? Log your sighting on Birdtrack
Donate
Your donation will help us to save this iconic bird from extinction in the UK
