Without action to protect this treasured bird,it will disappear from the UK altogether within the next decade, writes Catherine BearderThe turtle dove has long been a symbol of Christmas and the fond bonds that bring us together at this time of year. But now the 12 Days of Christmas risks fitting 11, or as the iconic species comes increasingly under threat. The bird’s distinctive,purring call was once a common feature of the British countryside. Now it has become increasingly scarce as the birds are confined to ever-shrinking patches of East Anglia and the south-east. The latest figures show that we have lost a shocking nine in 10 turtle doves in the UK since 1970.
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Source: theguardian.com