ID GUIDE:

EARLY SPRING BIRDSONG

One of the most evocative sounds in nature, the dawn chorus returns this month as avian songsters, full of purpose and ambition, sing at the beginning of each day to stake their claims on territories and mates.

MISTLE THRUSH

Short, wistful, almost melancholic phrases of song from December onwards. Often sings at dusk and during rain, which gives rise to the old nickname of ‘stormcrow’.

WOODLARK

Head to southern heathlands on a late winter’s day to hear this little-known songster. Males produce a beguiling cascade of notes, varying the rate and tone with each phrase.

GREAT TIT

By February, the great tit’s clean piping notes are refreshing our woodlands. The most easily recognised is the “tee-cher, tee-cher, tee-cher” two-note call.

DUNNOCK

High-pitched, rapid and undulating and seeming to end with a preposition, the song of the dunnock has been likened to a squeaky bicycle wheel, but it’s tuneful and easy to identify.

ROBIN

Having sung all winter – albeit without great urgency – the robin’s long, tuneful and wistful song grows in strength as the first embers of spring begin to glow.

ROOK

Not a typical songbird but the caws of a rook colony are an evocative soundtrack of the lowland countryside at this time of year.