Turtle dove BAP report

Turtle dove in flight
Following strong representations from the RSPB, the turtle dove was accepted as a target species for the Higher Level scheme in England

What are we trying to achieve?

The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. The targets for this plan were revised in 2006 and are as follows:

  • For UK and England, ensure the BBS index is no longer showing a negative trend by 2010 and is at least at 100% of the 2003 level by 2015
  • In Wales, establish a viable breeding population of >10 singing males by 2020

What is the RSPB doing to help?

The RSPB will help this species through advocacy work, seeking to inform agricultural policy and practice through the application of research and monitoring information.

We have used the results of a research study by the Game Conservancy Trust and Natural England and considered the needs of the turtle dove when helping to design agri-environment schemes. Following strong representations from the RSPB, the turtle dove was accepted as a target species for the Higher Level scheme in England. We also have a turtle dove project in Monmouthshire, to try to help safeguard the perilously small population that now remains in Wales.

Summary of progress

Population indices for farmland birds are based on long-term monitoring schemes; the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) funded Common Birds Census (CBC), for which 2000 was the final year; and its successor, the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Between 1994 and 2005, turtle dove numbers declined in the UK by a statistically significant 45% according to the BBS. The long-term trend, assessed by the CBC/BBS, is a decline of 80% between 1970 and 2003. This means that we are a long way from achieving the BAP targets.

Breeding success is low, with fewer than half of the eggs laid resulting in fledged young. The research study suggests that loss of weed seeds, the main food of adults and chicks, in summer may have had an adverse effect on this species.

The indirect effects of pesticides and hunting on migration have also been implicated in the decline. Of all migratory species, the turtle dove is considered to be the most affected, at a population level, by illegal spring hunting in southwest France. The RSPB supported the French BirdLife partner, LPO, in a case brought against their government at the European Court of Justice. It affirmed that extending hunting seasons into the migration period is illegal, but also confirmed that Member States may be able to allow hunting (of any quarry species) during the close season under certain circumstances.

Has our work been effective?

Given the relatively poor understanding of the reasons behind the decline in turtle dove numbers, especially with respect to factors on migration and on the wintering grounds, it is difficult to know how best to increase numbers.

This species may benefit from some of the generic prescriptions included in some of the agri-environment schemes, but these are unlikely to be available on a wide enough scale to allow plan targets to be met.

What do we plan to do next?

We will

  • Assess how turtle doves respond to agri-environment prescriptions, including a detailed analysis of the success of Higher Level Scheme options
  • Continue to press government departments to ensure that farmland birds are effectively targeted through agri-environment schemes
  • Continue efforts at UK and EU level to ensure that rural development funding and, in particular, agri-environment funding is increased, not decreased
  • Encourage broad-leaved weed growth on fallow land within RSPB reserves holding turtle doves
  • Use the Volunteer & Farmer Alliance to identify farms with turtle doves and encourage farmers to apply for entry to relevant agri-environment schemes and deploy appropriate prescriptive management
  • Monitor implementation of the new EU action plan for the turtle dove in Europe, in particular the problem of illegal spring shooting in France

What are the constraints to fully achieving the targets?

  • Lack of detailed knowledge of the reasons for the population decline
  • Illegal hunting on spring migration is continuing in some localities 

What can I do?

Help us stop illegal hunting on Malta

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Last modified: 05 September 2007