Limited knowledge about the Turtle Dove, combined with their population decline, has led to the compilation of an International Species Action Plan by Birdlife International and its partners (completed May 2018). This plan identifies issues and knowledge gaps across the Turtle doves' breeding and wintering range. It also sets out the next steps that countries, including the Netherlands, will need to take in order to halt the decline and ultimately restore the population.

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Research

Since 2018, research into Dutch turtle dove  landscape use, migratory routes and potential measures have been carried out in Zeeland. Details of these projects, including their reports, are available on this website.

 

This research is initiated and coordinated by Jenni, of Vreugdentil Ecologie, but is carried out in partnership with, and is funded by, many organisations, including Sovon, BirdLife NL and Province Zeeland.

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Birdlife Netherlands

'Operatie Zomertortel Nederland' was set up in 2019. This operation has 2 focus points:

• A supplementary feeding strategy, similar to that in the UK. This provides additional seed to turtle doves in the first half of their breeding season, when it is most needed. This is an emergency measure, and short term solution, aimed at halting further decline of the Dutch turtle dove population. Read more

• The creation of seed-rich 'foraging fields'. While no formal research is done on established plots, fields are followed by volunteers in the hopes of establishing whether they provide suitable, seed rich habitat for turtle doves that are used throughout the breeding season. Read more

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Bird workgroups​

Local and regional bird workgroups are wellknown for their involvement with ornithological monitoring and educational activities in the Netherlands. Some of these give special attention to following the turtle doves in their areas.

The bird workgroup NGLO (Natuur- en Landschapsbescherming van Goeree en Overflakkee) has a specific turtle dove project group since 2023. This active group is now busy monitoring, running supplementary sites, and trialling foraging fields on Goeree. Read more​

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