Listen out for some tweets you’ll love to follow
A North East university is calling for a flock of ‘citizen scientists’ to help track the variety and distribution of garden birds.
The project – called Nature’s Audio – is being run by Durham University’s Department of Biosciences, and researchers are encouraging people to listen to and record garden birdsong in their local area and upload them to a dedicated website.
The aim is to produce the first nationwide sample of birdsong, to provide an insight into where and when birds are singing this spring.
The team also hope that by taking part, people will connect with nature and even boost their personal wellbeing.
Prof Stephen Willis, who is leading the project, said: “Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the wonderful soundtrack nature provides for us.
“Nature’s Audio is encouraging people to listen to, and engage with this amazing playlist, and to help us to track spring birds, so that we can better understand their variety and distribution.
“No complicated equipment is needed – just your ears and a smartphone to record the songs and upload them to our website.”
The project is open to anyone to take part, and those without access to a garden can listen out for birdsong in their local park or when out and about.
People are invited to record the birdsong they hear using their smartphone and upload them to be included in the study.
The website also includes sound clips and information to help people learn how to identify different birds through their song.
Recordings can be uploaded at www.naturesaudio.org