WHERE TO LISTEN TO NIGHTINGALES

Woodlands in east Kent: Blean Woods near Canterbury and Ham Street Woods near Ashford are particularly rewarding.

Northward Hill, Kent: an RSPB reserve with several pairs, as well as the UK’S largest heronry.

Fingringhoe Wick in Essex: with around 25 singing males, this Essex Wildlife Trust reserve is one of the best places to listen to nightingales in England.

Pulborough Brooks: this West Sussex RSPB reserve is a reliable site for hedgerow-nesting nightingales; they have a reputation for being easy to see.

Knepp Castle estate, West Sussex: one of the few sites to record increasing numbers in recent years. The Chiddingfold Forest complex in Surrey: the best spots vary from year to year depending on habitat management.

Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk: despite numerous muntjac, Minsmere still has around 10 singing males; it once had many more.

Highnam Woods RSPB, Gloucestershire: the most reliable westerly breeding nightingales in England. Almost any Mediterranean or Balkan country: both France and Spain have at least one million pairs, with Italy not far behind.