TAKE YOUR TIME TO… Tune into the teatime troubadours

STEP INTO YOUR BACK GARDEN ONE AFTERNOON IN MARCH AND YOU MIGHT BE REWARDED WITH A SWEET SERENADE. THIS IS THE HOUR WHEN MALE BLACKBIRDS WARM UP THEIR VOCAL CORDS, OFTEN CONTINUING THEIR MELLOW SONG INTO THE TWILIGHT. LISTEN OUT FOR ROBINS, TOO: THEY ARE SOME OF THE FEW BRITISH BIRDS TO SING ALL YEAR LONG AND THEIR SPRINGTIME MELODY IS SAID TO BE MORE UPBEAT THAN ITS AUTUMNAL EQUIVALENT. RSPB.ORG.UK