30 Turtle Doves Released to Save UK's Fastest Declining Bird

The turtle dove made famous by "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is coming back to England, one carefully released bird at a time.

Conservationists released 30 turtle doves this spring in the South Downs National Park, launching an urgent rescue mission for Britain's fastest declining bird species. Since the late 1960s, turtle dove numbers have plummeted by 98%, pushing the species to the brink of extinction in the UK.

The birds were released in the Selborne area of Hampshire, where park rangers prepared the landscape for their return. Seven ponds were restored for drinking and bathing, and wildflowers like fumitory and vetch were planted to provide the doves' favorite foods.

"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," said park ranger Paul Bushell. The species now sits on the Birds of Conservation Concern's red list, marking it at high risk of disappearing from the UK entirely.

Early signs suggest the bold experiment is working. One released female has already returned to her enclosure to lay eggs, behavior that thrilled the conservation team.

"They really are a spectacularly beautiful bird and the males produce the most enchanting churring sound during the breeding season," Bushell said. He described watching the birds return to their natural habitat as "an incredible and moving experience."

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about saving one species. The South Downs project could create a new stronghold for turtle doves, helping stabilize what remains of the European population of this migratory species.

The ambitious plan calls for releasing 100 more doves next year, building on lessons learned from this spring's release. Small numbers of wild turtle doves still live in the national park, and conservationists hope the newcomers will strengthen those fragile populations.

The released birds will soon begin their remarkable 3,000 mile journey to sub-Saharan Africa for winter. If all goes well, they'll return to the South Downs in spring 2027, bringing the next generation with them.

After decades of decline, the sound of churring turtle doves may once again become a common summer melody across the English countryside.