Populatie monitoring project
2025 tot 2029
'Colour ringing' on Walcheren
Why color rings?​
The population on Walcheren was last estimated at ca. 35 breeding pairs. However, turtle doves are not easy to count, and this has only become more difficult as the population has gotten smaller. Previous research using GPS transmitters strongly suggests that the population is overestimated. The "Gebiedenaanpak Noordwest Walcheren" (Northwest Walcheren Area Approach) aims to monitor the population as accurately as possible.
By providing Walcheren turtle doves with a yellow ring bearing a large two-letter code, they become individually identifiable at a distance. This makes it possible for anyone to read and identify them.
​Get involved: ‘citizen science’
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This project isn’t just for researchers—we need your help!
We would love as many residents, visitors, farmers, birdwatchers, photographers, and business owners to take part as possible. Every ‘re-sighting’ helps us collect the necessary data—even if it's the same turtle dove in the same location every time.
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​Spotted a colour ringed turtle dove?
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Note which leg has the yellow ring and the two-letter code written on it.
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Report it by emailing jenni.vreugdenhil@gmail.com (cr-birding.org/node/7171).
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If you report a sighting you will receive information about ‘your’ turtle dove: where and when it was ringed, its sex, and where else it has been spotted.
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Seen or heard a turtle dove?
Report it via waarneming.nl – they also offer handy apps for this purpose.
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Spread the word!
Help out by sharing this color-ringing project with family, friends, or holiday guests.​​​​​​​​​​​
WE NEED
YOUR HELP!
Want to do more to help turtle doves?
Visit our 'What you can do' page for more information! ​​​​
Would you like to learn more about this population monitoring project?
​​LUISTEREN NAAR ZOMERTORTELS