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Conservationists Race to Save England’s Last Turtle Doves

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Author Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology

When conservationists noticed the sharp decline in England’s turtle dove population, they knew urgent action was needed. Once a familiar sight in the countryside, these gentle birds now teeter on the edge of extinction. Their rescue has become a race against time—and a symbol of what can be achieved when people come together for wildlife.

The Disappearing Dove

Turtle Dove
Turtle Dove. Image by Andy Morffew from Itchen Abbas, Hampshire, UK, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Turtle doves have lost 98% of their population in the UK since the 1970s. These migratory birds, known for their soft purring calls, once thrived across the English countryside. But habitat loss, changes in farming practices, and hunting along their migration routes have pushed them into crisis. Today, fewer than 12,000 pairs remain.

A Safe Place to Call Home

The RSPB and Operation Turtle Dove are working with farmers and landowners to create habitats where the birds can breed and feed safely. This includes planting wildflower meadows and providing seed-rich areas for foraging. Conservationists are also restoring hedgerows and scrub where turtle doves can nest undisturbed.

Tracking Their Journey

European Turtle Dove. image via Openverse.

Understanding the turtle doves’ long migration to Africa is crucial to saving them. Tiny GPS tags are now being used to track their journey. This data helps conservationists identify key stopover sites and areas where the birds face threats, such as illegal hunting. Protecting these locations abroad is just as important as conserving their breeding grounds at home.

From Decline to Recovery

Some areas are already seeing signs of hope. In carefully managed sites in Sussex and Norfolk, turtle doves have started to return. These successes are still fragile but show what targeted action can achieve. Each nesting pair brings renewed optimism that the species can be saved.

Farming With Nature

Much of the turtle dove’s recovery depends on collaboration with the farming community. Agri-environment schemes are helping farmers support wildlife while maintaining their livelihoods. By adopting turtle dove-friendly practices, they’re not only aiding conservation but also enriching the biodiversity of their land.

A Future Still Possible

Turtle dove on branch
Turtle dove perched on a branch. Image by CreativeNature via Depositphotos.

The road to recovery is long, but the work is paying off. The race to save England’s turtle doves is a powerful reminder of the impact of human compassion and cooperation. If efforts continue—and expand—these beloved birds may once again be a common summer sight, their gentle calls echoing through the countryside.

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