The Turtle Dove

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, 05 May 2024
The Turtle Dove
Turtle Doves © Neale Ambrose

Guest blog by Shivani Thevar 

Turtle Dove Conservation Advisor for Sussex, Hampshire and West Kent from RSPB

The Turtle Dove is a charismatic migratory bird found in south-east and eastern England. It spends its winter in sub-Saharan Africa and migrates through Western Europe to breed in the UK in the summer. They generally arrive in the last week of April and leave in late August. 

The distinctive purring song is given by males from high exposed perches and is a nostalgic sound of summers past. Turtle Doves are smaller than other UK pigeons. Its closest relative, the common Collared Dove, has a grey wing pattern and single black stripe on the neck. Turtle Doves have a striking tortoiseshell pattern on their back and wings, with a black-and-white striped neck patch. 

Turtle Doves are often portrayed in literature as a symbol of love, kindness and fidelity due to the belief that they partner for life. Shakespeare wrote about them to depict devotion and of course, we can’t forget the popular mention in the Twelve Days of Christmas. 

Turtle Doves require three main elements in the UK: suitable nesting sites, good food availability and accessible water – all close together. Thick scrub and hedgerows provide safe nesting sites, and the small seeds of arable plants provide the food. A good supply of water is vital so that the adults can produce a secretion called crop milk, which is high in protein and fat and regurgitated to the chicks. 

Turtle Doves remain an uncommon bird and can be difficult to find. However, they are seen most years at Woods Mill and Ebernoe Common nature reserves, and can be found on any areas of farmed land with the three habitat requirements. If you are lucky enough to find a Turtle Dove, well done! Make sure that you don’t disturb it and make sure you record it on the BirdTrack app.

Find out more at operationturtledove.org

Shivani Thevar, Turtle Dove Conservation Advisor for Sussex, Hampshire and West Kent from RSPB
Shivani Thevar, Turtle Dove Conservation Advisor for Sussex, Hampshire and West Kent from RSPB
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Comments

  • Michael Moor:

    We saw at Knepp last weekend.
    Exciting

    09 May 2024 10:57:00

  • Dorothy Norman:

    Single Turtle Dove returned to my garden on Kent/Sussex border. Heard purring 6May.

    09 May 2024 12:14:00

  • Ros Hawthorn:

    Thank you Shivani!

    10 May 2024 09:52:00

  • Alan Walker:

    A singular bird and forerunner of a multitude.

    11 May 2024 15:57:00

  • J Ford -Robertson:

    In depicting a hedgehog, dear thing, I hope you will in March warn Nature Lovers to inspect themselves particularly in April when they have walked through lush wet grass – for ticks, even
    Ones small as a full stop attached to skin or clothing. They can transmit Lyme disease whose cases have risen markedly:in UK : I am painfully aware of mine still , years on.

    30 Jun 2024 22:40:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Thank you. Yes, we do issue regular warning about ticks. It's very important to be tick-aware, we agree.

  • Brian Stow:

    I was at Knepp on Monday 2nd monitoring the Storks and got a very nice picture of a pair of TDs and I’m trying to identify the sexes

    04 Jun 2025 07:13:00

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