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News

NFFN calls on farmers in England to count turtle doves

England
biodiversity
wildlife

As part of ongoing efforts to restore the fortunes of the turtle dove in England, nature-friendly farmers are being asked to record any sightings or sounds of this iconic farmland bird this summer.

The soft purring of the turtle dove is one of nature’s classic summer sounds. Now, we’re urging nature-friendly farmers to listen out for this sound and watch for a sighting of this elusive but beautiful bird.

It’s all part of ongoing efforts to measure the turtle dove's recovery from the significant declines it has suffered in recent decades, much of which has been caused by the intensification of agriculture, which has destroyed its farmland habitats, food and water sources.

Turtle doves are about the size of a blackbird, making them smaller than more common species such as the woodpigeon or the collared dove. Their most distinctive visual feature is the tortoiseshell pattern on the backs of their wings, though people may be more likely to hear their gentle sound than see them. The RSPB provides a helpful online identification guide.

Turtle doves are found mainly across the South East of England, in Kent, Sussex, East Anglia and as far north as Lincolnshire. They prefer to nest deep in impenetrable, dense and thorny hedgerows and feed on the seeds of native arable plants.  

We are asking farmers to look out for sightings or sounds of turtle doves between their arrival in England around April and their migration to Africa in September for the winter.

If you see or hear a turtle dove, please send details of your farm, location, the date and time, as well as how many birds you saw or heard, before 1 October 2025 to our South East England Sustainable Farming Officer Stuart Harris at stuart.harris@nffn.org.uk

Read here if you'd like to learn more about these wonderful birds and how NFFN farmers are helping to save them. You can also find out more at the Operation Turtle Dove website.