From Chaucer and Shakespeare to folklore and the Bible the turtle dove is a symbol of love. But reports from recorders suggest that it may soon be the symbol of lost love.
Its plight was highlighted in the State of Nature report launched by Sir David Attenborough in May. A campaign involving farmers and conservationists, Operation Turtle Dove, has been launched. Food producers like Allinsons bread and Jordan’s Cereals have jumped on board to help.
But the news last week (see the Telegraph article here) shows that their downward spiral is continuing and this summer is likely to be the worst ever for numbers of adults recorded. Just two per cent of volunteer wildlife recorders added them to their lists.
We don’t know the full picture but we are pretty sure the biggest causes of decline here are a lack of seed availability in the countryside, hunting on their Mediterranean migration route and changes to landscapes in their African wintering grounds.
This (like curlew and hen harrier) is a species in dire need of urgent action. We are racing against time now to save this bird from disappearing from our shores – and if that happens then should hang our heads in shame. This is taking place on our watch and it we lose it, then it would mean that Defra will have failed in its ambition to prevent extinctions from human activity.
The good news is that there is hope and there is a lot of inspiring work happening. Breeding success looks much better this year than last year’s washout season. Our scientists are right now following birds across the countryside gathering as much information on their lifecycle and habits as possible. Calls to the Operation Turtle Dove hotline are increasing as farmers get on board to help and people become more aware of their plight.
So for the rest of this week the people doing this work will be sharing their stories. Please follow this on the Saving Species blog as scientists, farm advisors and others bring us up to speed on the fight to save the turtle dove.
I can’t promise any poetry, but can offer some hope that their gentle purr will remain a part of our summers for years to come.
The Turtle Dove is such an iconic bird, its gentle "turr turr", is captivating when you hear it. Fortunately we still have just a few 2/3 each year at our RSPB reserve in Oxfordshire. As you say Martin seed availability is very important and hopefully in the UK something can be done about this to some extent.
The hunting in the Mediterranean I think is abominable, with much of it is illegal and run by gangs,It affects so many other species as well. However the governments in the countries responsible fail to take the necessary action to put a stop to it. I know the RSPB have been doing their very best to bring pressure through the EU on the relevant countries concerned. Perhaps it is time to really increase this pressure but I know that is not easy.
As far as the changes in Africa are concerned I know the RSPB and Birdlife International are researching this now hopefully solutions can be found there, at least to mitigate the worst of the changes.
Like most things there are no quick and easy answers. Good luck to the RSPB and Birdlife International in all their efforts. The turtle dove is worth it.