Turtle Dove perched in a tree, surrounded by blossom.

Turtle Dove numbers in Western Europe increase by 40%

New figures show the number of birds breeding as a whole in Western Europe has increased by 615,000 breeding pairs since 2021.

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Seven members of the Operation Turtle Dove team standing at the Groundswell regenerative farming festival 2025

Operation Turtle Dove at Groundswell 2025

Our Community Projects Officer, Matt Horsham, reflects on a successful two days at the annual regenerative farming festival.

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From a symbol of farm wildlife decline...

...to a flagship for it's recovery. Find out why Turtle Doves can lead the way in restoring farm wildlife.

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Between the late 1960s and 2021, Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) declined dramatically in the UK and reduced almost everywhere else in their European range.

However, following the introduction of a hunting moratorium in western Europe and a subsequent end to unsustainable hunting, there has been a rapid and encouraging start to population recovery. As expected, this has initially been in the core breeding population in Spain, and we expect this to ripple out in future years to reach the UK in the near future. We now know the key barrier to the sustained recovery of Turtle Doves breeding in the UK is available foraging and breeding habitat 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 by providing more of the right habitat and help get the UK get ‘Turtle Dove Ready’ !

Blog: Turtle Dove Talk

Operation Turtle Dove at Groundswell

July 28, 2025
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More good news on Turtle Dove recovery in Western Europe – a 40% increase on 2021 numbers!

March 26, 2025
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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 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