Conservationists have released 30 endangered turtle doves in Hampshire’s South Downs National Park as part of an urgent effort to reverse the species’ dramatic decline in the UK.
Known for their distinctive purring call and appearance in the Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, turtle doves are now Britain’s fastest-declining bird species, according to the RSPB.
The 30 birds were released in the Selborne area of Hampshire this spring to help strengthen the local turtle dove population and support the species’ recovery.
South Downs National Park officials described the conservation project as an “urgent effort”. A further 100 turtle doves are being prepared for release next year.
Park ranger Paul Bushell said: “We all know turtle doves make a festive appearance, but the truth is they are now far too rare to be such a Christmas present.”
He added that turtle doves are among Europe’s fastest-declining bird species, with UK numbers falling by 98% between the late 1960s and 2023.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk