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.
It has been working to create these feeding areas, maintain dense scrub and hedgerows as nesting sites, provide ponds for drinking and washing, and supply seed food – all of which have been shown to benefit Turtle Doves in focused trials. Now these conservation tools – as a tested formula for success - are being carefully rolled out by expert staff to improve the fortunes of these summer visitors right across the southern and eastern of England.
Work to create the perfect nesting and feeding conditions is a collaborative effort, with the RSPB’s dedicated Turtle Dove advisors supporting farmers and landowners, volunteers and communities in their efforts to help Turtle Doves in stronghold areas.