Day of action for Turtle Doves highlights the need for nature-friendly farming

On Thursday 4 December we brought Turtle Doves to the heart of Westminster – staging a special day of action in Parliament to shine a spotlight on the plight of these iconic birds and to share a clear message of hope that, with the right support, nature-friendly farming can help turn their fortunes around. 

If you haven’t already, there’s still time to add your voice to our campaign and send a message to the Government’s environment and farming Ministers!  

At this time of year, we sing about ‘two Turtle Doves’ in the classic carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. But in the UK, those festive lyrics have come frighteningly close to becoming a reality: since the 1960s, Turtle Dove numbers have fallen by 99%, making them the UK’s fastest declining bird.  

Changes to farmland have stripped away the wildflower seeds these birds rely on for food, while the loss of hedgerows and scrub have left them struggling to find safe places to raise their chicks.  

And their challenges don’t stop there. Unlike other UK doves, Turtle Doves spend the winter in Africa and migrate thousands of miles to our shores to breed in spring. Until recently, unsustainable levels of hunting along parts of their European flyway pushed their already fragile population even closer to the brink. 

Yet, despite all this, there is genuine cause for hope. 

Thanks to years of work by the RSPB and our partners, hunting in France, Spain and Portugal was suspended for four years from 2021. In that short time, the western European population has soared by more than 30%. 

With more Turtle Doves likely to be winging their way to the UK in future years, it’s more important than ever to get farmland ready for their arrival – and that’s where nature-friendly farming comes in!   

Through Operation Turtle Dove, we’re working with farmers and landowners in England to create the habitats Turtle Doves need to feed, breed and thrive. We’re already seeing some really positive results, but to restore habitats on the scale needed Government support for nature-friendly farming is crucial, as Alice Groom – the RSPB’s Head of Sustainable Land Use – explains:  

“Farmland wildlife is in trouble, and many farmers are already taking action to reverse these worrying trends by creating and protecting vital habitats – from flower-rich meadows to ponds and hedgerows. But they can’t do it alone. The UK Government must invest in ambitious, nature-friendly farming schemes that fund this essential work.” 

To make sure this message is heard loud and clear, our team headed to Parliament on 4 December to host a Breakfast Briefing for MPs. 

A cross-party group of MPs joined us to hear about the pressures facing Turtle Doves and other farmland birds, as well as the inspiring successes already emerging from farms embracing nature-friendly approaches, including the RSPB’s own Hope Farm.  

We also set out how England’s Environmental Land Management schemes can be strengthened to deliver real results for both nature, people and the planet.  

Later that day, we delivered a Christmas card to Defra with the help of a very special guest – Artur Dove. It was a festive reminder of the many members of the public who have been sending in messages of hope and support for Turtle Doves this winter, to highlight the importance of nature-friendly farming. 

Farmer and RSPB member David Cannel is just one of the 1,400 supporters who have sent a message to the Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and Farming Minister Angela Eagle so far:  

“The near total loss of Turtle Doves is heart-breaking. Looking back to my childhood years, 75 years ago, we have lost so much... but with the right support, much could be recovered.” 

Thank you so much to everyone who has sent in messages – they’re already having an impact, with Minister Angela Eagle acknowledging our campaign thanks to the many emails reaching her inbox.   

If you haven’t sent in a message yet, it’s not too late! By adding your voice now, you can help us keep up the pressure on Ministers and show the strength of public support for farming that works with nature, not against it.