Turtle Doves - can you hear them yet?
Spring means one thing for anyone involved in Turtle Dove conservation – Turtle Doves are returning! In this blog we look forward to the birds returning and all the fantastic work that is going into creating perfect breeding season habitats for these special visitors.
Meet the team
Meet some of our amazing advisors, working with farmers and other land managers to help provide suitable Turtle Dove habitats in southern and eastern England.
Talking Turtle Doves – we answer some frequently asked questions
Operation Turtle Dove is working with hundreds of people – farmers, land managers, communities and a whole host of volunteers – to create the right habitat conditions to allow Turtle Doves to thrive once more. We’ve set out some frequently asked questions and their answers to help shed some light on Turtle Doves, how they’re faring and how we are helping them.
Get creative!
Turtle Doves are beautiful birds and they feed on the seeds of very some pretty plants. We’ve combined the two in a colouring sheet that you can now download.
Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) have declined dramatically in the UK and reduced almost everywhere else in their European range.
However, we now know the key problems faced by Turtle Doves and 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.
Blog: Turtle Dove Talk
read more
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:
- Countryside Stewardship grants for arable farmland, woodland and semi-natural habitats
- Receive free support and advice from your local Turtle Dove Conservation Adviser about how you can provide habitat for turtle doves on your farm from
- Learn more about supplementary feeding for turtle doves on your land.
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:
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
