My true love sent to me two turtle doves (are you singing it in your head yet?).
I prefer my birdlife in the wild, but these are two turtle doves that I would accept in my hands with great pleasure!
Cally Higginbotham, a fabulous chocolatier from Chesterfield, visited Malta, where she discovered that it is legal to shoot turtle doves in season. Earlier this year, the Times of Malta reported that last Autumn 4,302 turtle doves were shot. That’s almost 36 birds for every square mile of this diminutive Mediterranean island.
She also learned that the turtle dove is in even greater peril. The European population has declined by over 60% since 1970. We’ve seen even greater declines in the UK, with populations less than a tenth of what they were, and the decline appears to be quickening. Recent government figures showed that they had declined by a staggering 60% in just 5 years up to 2010. The turtle dove is at real risk of extinction in the UK.
Cally was so moved by the plight of the turtle dove, she came up with an ingenious way to help. She is now selling turtle dove chocolates and greetings cards, with up to £1 per item going to Operation Turtle Dove.
Operation Turtle Dove is a partnership project between the RSPB, Conservation Grade, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and Natural England, dedicated to saving this dainty dove.
The true impact of hunting during migration to and from our shores is yet to be established. But we do know that the breeding success of this iconic bird has declined significantly, with pairs producing fewer broods and fewer chicks per brood. This is thought to be linked to reduced food availability, as turtle doves once relied on farmland weeds that are now much less common. Research is ongoing to fully establish the causes of the declines, but we need to act now before its too late.
Operation Turtle Dove is working with farmers in turtle dove strongholds to create habitats to help the turtle dove, including options available under ELS. Together with farmers, we can learn how to give the turtle dove the best chance of breeding, and be in the best condition to embark on its migration to Africa. These farmers are true turtle dove heroes. As is Cally.
So by buying some of Cally’s festive chocolates you can treat your taste buds, and help us to work with farmers to save the UK’s only migratory dove.
Get yours today at www.chocally.co.uk - £2.25 for two yummy doves (with 75p donated to Operation Turtle Dove). The turtle dove greetings card is £3 (with £1 donated to Operation Turtle Dove).