Best Time to See Mourning Doves in Virginia
April, May and March is the best time to see mourning doves in Virginia. Based on 7,879 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves are most active across the year in Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
7,879 verified observations of mourning doves in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
April
1,426 records (18.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 523 | 6.6% |
| February | 637 | 8.1% |
| Marchpeak | 833 | 10.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,426 | 18.1% |
| Maypeak | 936 | 11.9% |
| June | 622 | 7.9% |
| July | 540 | 6.9% |
| August | 564 | 7.2% |
| September | 729 | 9.3% |
| October | 428 | 5.4% |
| November | 276 | 3.5% |
| December | 365 | 4.6% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 7,879 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mourning doves are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mourning doves sit around 39 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Feb | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Marbest time | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Aprbest time | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Jun | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Jul | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mourning doves in Virginia peak in April, when 1,426 of the year's 7,879 verified observations are logged — about 18.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is November and December, when mourning doves are hardest to find — November sees just 276 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mourning doves you are most likely to encounter in Virginia are Mourning Dove — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see mourning doves in Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mourning doves in Virginia?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 7,879 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in Virginia?+
November is the quietest month for mourning doves in Virginia, with only 276 verified records.
Are mourning doves active year-round in Virginia?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Virginia