Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) have declined dramatically in the UK and reduced almost everywhere else in their European range.
However, we now know the key problems faced by Turtle Doves and what conservation action needs to be taken, and Operation Turtle Dove is optimistic that we can reverse the fortunes of this enigmatic and culturally significant bird.
You can play a part in their recovery.
Have you seen a turtle dove?
Log your turtle dove sightings to BirdTrack.
The sightings submitted can be used to help target conservation activities at the locations where they will have the biggest positive impact for turtle doves.
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Turtle doves spend two thirds of their time outside the UK where they face a range of threats along their migratory route, which takes them from their wintering grounds in West Africa to their breeding grounds in the UK. However, research shows that the loss of habitat in England is the biggest factor driving their declines here.
For this reason, it is essential that we establish good turtle dove feeding and nesting habitat over the turtle dove’s core UK breeding range in East Anglia and South-East England.
And this is where you can help turtle doves – by providing them with places to feed, nest and drink.
Download Helping your local turtle doves PDF for a handy guide that outlines how you can provide turtle doves with the habitats they need in the UK.
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Making a donation to Operation Turtle Dove is an easy but vital way to support the project and help save this iconic bird from extinction in the UK. Funds raised will go towards delivering on-the-ground advisory work to create vital habitat for turtle doves in the UK and to carry out essential research into what turtle doves need during their whole life cycle from England to Africa so that we can develop essential conservation solutions to save this species.
There are various ways you can keep up to date with Operation Turtle Dove news and learn more about you can help save turtle doves.
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