Turtle doves are one of the fastest declining birds in Europe. Between 1970 and 2011, we lost 93% in the UK, paralleled by a loss in Europe of 69% since 1980. We know that a reduction in available nesting habitat and a reduction in food availability, both in the summer and in their wintering grounds […]
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Turtle doves: Hunting for a chance to survive
Danaë Sheehan, RSPB Migrants Programme Manager, writes… The Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius of North America was once regarded as the most abundant bird on the continent, if not the world. Yet despite this, and over a period of just forty years, unsuccessful breeding, coupled with mass human exploitation and disease, saw the population decline so […]
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OTD TD25 – May 2012 (2)
What do we know about the effect of disease on turtle doves?
Stephanie Morren from the RSPB writes… What do we know about the effect of disease on turtle doves? Well the answer is, not a lot at the moment. We know a little about other potential problems facing turtle doves on their breeding grounds in Europe, their wintering grounds in Africa and their migration routes. But […]
Continue readingWildlife lovers rally to save Christmas icon – the turtle dove
Conservationists, farmers and wildlife enthusiasts have rallied to the cause of one of England’s most threatened birds, the turtle dove, which has seen its worst year yet. The farmland bird – forever associated with the festive season through the words of the seasonal song 12 Days of Christmas – is one of the fastest declining […]
Continue readingOTD TD11 – May 2012
Operation Turtle Dove on ITV Countrywise
Did you see ITV Countrywise on Monday 7th October? The programme featured a great piece about the plight of Turtles Doves and what Operation Turtle Dove is doing to try and save the species for disappearing from the UK altogether. Presenter Paul Heiney visited the Wader Aviary at Pensthorpe Wildlife & Gardens, near Fakenham, Norfolk, […]
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