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Turtle Doves Released in Bid to Save Endangered Species
Developing
In Short: Urgent efforts are being made to restore the turtle dove population in the UK, with more than two dozen birds released in South Downs National Park.
The turtle dove, a species known for its distinctive song and once common in the UK, is now on the brink of extinction. According to the RSPB, it is the fastest declining bird species in the country, with numbers plummeting due to habitat loss and climate change. To combat this decline, conservationists have initiated a release program in South Downs National Park, with 30 birds set free this spring.
Park ranger Paul Bushell, speaking to the BBC, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, 'We all know the turtle dove from the festive carol, but the truth is they are now far too rare for such a Christmas gift.' The release is part of a broader strategy to create a new stronghold for the species in the South Downs, where small numbers of turtle doves still persist.
Alongside the release, the national park authority has taken additional steps to support the birds. Suitable plants for feeding, such as 'weedy' wildflowers like fumitory and vetch, have been planted, and seven ponds have been restored near nesting sites to provide drinking and bathing areas. Ranger Bushell reported that the released birds 'seem really happy,' indicating a positive start to the conservation efforts.
The turtle dove is Europe's only migratory dove species, and its decline is a cause for concern. The species is currently listed as critically endangered in the UK, with its population on the Birds of Conservation Concern's red list. Conservationists hope that these measures will help reverse the trend and ensure the survival of the turtle dove in the UK. Further releases are planned for next year, with 100 more birds set to be released in the coming months.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.
Sources
- BBClink