


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
More good news on Turtle Dove recovery in Western Europe – a 40% increase on 2021 numbers!
March 26, 2025Continue reading

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 can I help Turtle Doves at home?
Decisions you make in the garden or the supermarket can help Turtle Doves in a variety of ways:

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: