Voice heralds the onset of warmer days
THERE is a telegraph pole that overlooks our back garden and its flat, wooden top is a stage to an act that would have the chairs spinning on The Voice.
Yes, it’s almost spring and our pole will be the perfect spot for one of nature’s most tuneful singers – the blackbird.
Throughout the coming months the pole and other assorted high-points will host different blackbirds celebrating the warmer weather with varied and flute-like songs from the first light of every morning.
They will even sing at night if they are confused by street lights, which always makes me a little sad.
You cannot mistake a blackbird song, even though they are varied.
One thing is certain, that song is always loud and very proud and really makes you feel good to be alive.
Blackbirds start to sing during the breeding season in late February and all the way through to July. Over winter you can actually hear them ‘singing to themselves’ in bushes and trees. Stop for just a couple of seconds and consider how lovely that is.
Of course, both male and females are one of our favourite garden birds. They are cheeky enough to shout out if you haven’t put some raisins on the bird table. We even had one that hopped into the kitchen to demand food some summers ago.
Male blackbirds are black with a yellow bill and a yellow ring around the eyes. Females are dark brown with streaks on the chest and throat. If you are lucky enough to see young blackbirds, they are also brown with gingery streaks, which can sometimes mean they are confused with the thrush, which is the same family – but only from a distance.
If you have a lawn you will see blackbirds digging their bills into the ground for food and stopping, head cocked to one side, as they listen out for those noisy earthworms down below.
In our local Bird Atlas, which records populations in the region, blackbirds are doing well. While many birds saw falls in numbers in the 60s and 70s, the numbers of blackbirds tended to be stable.
Our own native blackbirds appear happy to live with humanity and to take advantage of our kindness.
The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 local nature reserves. It has 29,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers. To become a member go to the website at lancswt.org. uk or call 01772 324129. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust, call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlife trust.org.uk.