Giving the gift of hope: How an army of farmers and volunteers are helping to save rare Turtle Doves - RSPB
A record year of collaborative effort across southern and eastern England is helping to turn around the fortunes of Turtle Doves, a globally threatened migratory dove
Operation Turtle Dove aims to boost numbers through the improvement of breeding habitat and food availability here in the UK, harnessing the power of hundreds of farmers, landowners and volunteers through science-led conservation
This year, the project is celebrating a record year of effort, with the number of farmers, landowners and volunteers involved rising to the highest ever since the project began in 2012
Hundreds of UK farmers, landowners and volunteers are helping to give the gift of hope for Turtle Doves, working with Operation Turtle Dove to provide better nesting and feeding habitat for the rare birds across southern and eastern England.
This year, the project is celebrating a record year of effort since the project began in 2012, with over 260 farm holdings – covering over 68,500 hectares - and a further 107 land managers helping to create the perfect conditions for these iconic birds alongside dedicated volunteers.
A science-led conservation project aimed at improving the future of the UK’s Turtle Doves, Operation Turtle Dove is working to turn around the fortunes of this much-loved migratory dove that spends the winter in West Africa before migrating back to our shores for spring and summer to breed.
Operation Turtle Dove is a partnership, between the RSPB, Natural England, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and Fair to Nature, which has led to the creation of 620 foraging and supplementary feeding sites for these special birds this year alone, a figure almost double the number provided in 2022.
Posted On: 05/12/2023
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