A new report published by BirdLife Malta highlights the alarming continued decline of the European Turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur, following the release of the latest EU Article 12 reporting data (2019–2024).
The newly published data, which represents the best available scientific evidence, shows that 13 out of 15 countries within the central-eastern migratory flyway to which Malta belongs, are reporting population declines, with an overall reduction exceeding 23%. This confirms that the species, already classified as Vulnerable, continues to deteriorate across its migratory range.
Despite this, Malta reopened spring hunting of the Turtle-dove every year from 2022 onwards, after a moratorium between 2017 and 2021.
The report finds that previous extrapolations reported by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) to the Ornis Committee whereby it concluded that the Turtle-dove populations migrating over Malta were stable or increasing, were based on outdated data and a flawed methodology. It also highlights a failure
to apply the precautionary principle, a key requirement under EU environmental law, particularly for species in an unfavourable conservation status.
“The latest Article 12 data leaves no room for doubt. The Turtle-dove continues to decline across the flyway, and this is the most up-to-date and robust scientific evidence available. Decisions affecting this species must be based on this reality. This report vindicates what BirdLife Malta has been long stating at Ornis Committee, in the Law Courts and in communication with Government,” said Mark Sultana, CEO of BirdLife Malta.
The report further concludes that the legal and scientific conditions required to justify a spring hunting derogation are not met. It determines that the continued application of spring hunting of Turtle-dove in Malta cannot be justified.
BirdLife Malta is therefore calling for: – An immediate halt to spring hunting of Turtle-dove – The reinstatement of a moratorium for at least six years – Full alignment with EU conservation measures and recommendations so as not to aggravate open infringement proceedings on the same matter.
BirdLife Malta urges the Maltese authorities to take urgent action to protect the species and support its recovery, in line with both scientific evidence and EU legal obligations.
Read our press release in Maltese here.
