A Turtle Dove purring like a cat

The information board at RSPB Otmoor says there’s a Turtle Dove in the trees at the Reserve. Frustratingly I can’t see it anywhere. A fellow bird watcher even tells me which tree it’s usually in. Nothing. Then a Reserve Warden says I’ll be able to hear it because it’ll be purring like a cat. Then I can see it.

It’s an incredibly beautiful and unusual bird.

It’s a delicate dove with a similar neck pattern to the Woodpigeon but a gloriously brown and black back.

Next time I’ll know to listen for a cat rather than look for a bird if I want to see a Turtle.