UK turtle dove survey warns of low numbers, but hope is on the horizon

UK turtle dove survey warns of low numbers, but hope is on the horizon - RSPB

Newly fledged turtle dove perched on a post — Turtle Dove *Streptopelia turtur*, newly fledged juvenile perched on post, Titchwell RSPB Nature Reserve, Norfolk, July (Les Bunyan (rspb-images.com))

The first ever national turtle dove survey has estimated that just 2,100 pairs of turtle dove now breed in the UK

This migratory bird is primarily at risk due to loss of habitat and unsustainable levels of hunting

Although sobering results, solutions are now in place to tackle the two biggest threats facing our turtle dove populations

The turtle dove is the fastest-declining UK species, with numbers falling by 98% since the 1970s. Last year, almost 1,000 volunteers, farmers, study groups, county bird clubs and other organisations mobilised to record turtle dove across their UK range. Provisional results published today show that there are now just an estimated 2,100 pairs left, down from an estimated 125,000 pairs in 1970.

Turtle doves are unique as the only long-distance migratory dove species in Europe. They are known for their distinctive “purring” call and the intricate scalloped pattern on their wing feathers. They are synonymous with Christmas, despite not being in the UK at that time, due to their inclusion in the famous song Twelve Days of Christmas.

Research shows that the decline of turtle doves is being driven by two main factors: the loss of suitable habitat on the breeding grounds and unsustainable levels of hunting when they migrate through south-west Europe on spend the winter in Africa. Although the results are sobering, there is hope for this summer resident. Identifying factors driving the decline have helped pinpoint the solutions. This includes working with farmers, landowners and volunteers who play a key role in supporting turtle doves in the UK.