Sounds of LATE SUMMER

Eavesdropping on nature is a fun way to fine-tune your hearing. Here are five noteworthy wildlife sounds to keep an ear out for this September

SWALLOWS THEIR HIGH-PITCHED SHRIEKS AND BURBLES ARE AN ICONIC SOUND OF SUMMER, AND THIS MONTH, AS FLOCKS GATHER FOR THE RETURN TRIP TO AFRICA, IS THE PERFECT TIME TO ENJOY THEM. YOU’LL FIND THEM IN OPEN PASTURE OR LARGE REEDBEDS. NOT SURE WHAT TO LISTEN OUT FOR? FIND A LIBRARY OF BIRDSONG AT BRITISH-BIRDSONGS.UK.

BATS AT DUSK, LISTEN FOR DISTINCTIVE SQUEAKS AND CLICKS. BATS ARE OFTEN SEEN EMERGING FROM THEIR ROOSTS IN THE EAVES OF OLD BUILDINGS OR CATCHING INSECTS AMONG TREES. TO IDENTIFY WHICH BAT YOU’VE HEARD, SEE BATS.ORG.UK FOR RECORDINGS OF AND INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 18 NATIVE SPECIES.

SQUIRRELS USING YOUR EARS WILL GIVE A BETTER CHANCE OF SPOTTING BOTH RED AND GREY SQUIRRELS AS THEY FORAGE FOR NUTS TO CACHE FOR WINTER. LISTEN FOR THEIR DISTINCTIVE CHATTERING AND THE RUSTLE OF LEAVES AS THEY JUMP FROM BRANCH TO BRANCH. YOU MAY EVEN HEAR THEM BANGING NUTS ON STONES OR TREES TO OPEN THEM.

DRAGONFLIES THE FLUTTERING WINGS OF A DRAGONFLY SOUND SIMILAR TO THE RUSTLE OF A PAPER BAG (YOUTUBE HAS SOME USEFUL EXAMPLES). LISTEN OUT IN FIELDS, NEAR STILL WATER AND WOODLAND EDGES OR ALONG HEDGEROWS, WHERE THEY LIKE TO HUNT FOR FOOD.

WRENS BRITAIN’S MOST PROLIFIC AND WIDESPREAD BIRD IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST MELODIOUS. TRAIN YOURSELF TO TUNE INTO IT VIA THE RSPB’S BIRD SONG IDENTIFIER (AT RSPB.ORG.UK) AND LISTEN OUT IN THE GARDEN, IN WOODLAND OR ON FARMLAND AND HEATHLAND.

To further develop your listening skills, download a free bird-identification app such as Smart Bird ID. By recording a snatch of birdsong (or taking a picture), you can identify the bird you’re listening to.