Blogs

The reserve looks a lot different now then when I last posted a blog , as the winter weather finally arrived in force. We had over 6 inches of snow at the weekend and there is still a lot of laying snow that has frozen, making the paths very icy and slippery. We have put up signs advising against walking...

Our WildSquare survey for January and February has just started. By completing this survey, you're not only finding out about nature for yourself, but you're also stepping up for nature. To find out more about the RSPB's Stepping up for Nature campaign click on the blue link. This season...

These are you last couple of days to complete the Preparing for Winter survey. If you haven't already told us your results make sure you do it now. Our January / February survey is called 'birds and their song'. This time of year is perfect for getting to know the birds in your local area...

Voting has ended now and the blackbird was the run away winner, which is exactly what was found on the PURE sounds website where bird sounds can be downloaded from the RSPB birdsong library at The Lounge, have a look here and read about the most popular downloads here . Strangely it seems that the...

There are of course so many birds whose song is so evocative of beautiful places. I should include the skylark, the curlew and the black backed gull amongst these. Some birds just provoke amusement. Eider ducks sound like a flock of Frankie Howards

My favourite bird's song is that of the song thrush. It is a shame that this bird has become so rare. I also love the blackbird, the black cap, the robin and the dunnock when it's courting in spring. I do wish the wood pigeons would shut up though. Kind regards John Moore

Andy Chapman is coming over from York to run his 'Birding for Beginners' walks this weekend. They will be themed this time to learn to identify birdsong and calls. It's a perfect opportunity to get lots of tips about how to remember them and the group is planned to be a small size so you...

So here are the updated stats so far: - 23 April 2011 Sunrise: 5:49am Dawn chorus started: 5:00am (49 mins) - recorded 2 May 2011 Sunrise: 5:30am Dawn Chorus started: 4:30am (60 mins) - recorded 18 May 2011 Sunrise: 5:02am Dawn Chorus started: 4:10am (52 mins) 21 May 2011 Sunrise: 4:58am...

Where do you live now, Littlefairycat, in a city, provincial town or in the country?

STOP PRESS! I think I made a mistake! Checking back on the original recording data file, I see that the recorded date is 23rd April, not 27th as reported above. Sunrise on 23rd April was 5:50 am, which is 20 minutes not 12 minutes as originally reported. Still a difference but not so significant. ...

Thanks for your long reply, IanH. I suspected the answer would not be as simple as proportional mathematics! I am steeling myself to get up before the birds again on Monday morning (family here this weekend), to record and note timings again. Meanwhile I noted on my bedside clock that they started...

I'm new to this arena, but have made some observations recently and wonder whether anyone can help me? I recorded the dawn chorus on Monday morning (2nd May); it started almost exactly at 4:30am (I live in the middle of the country). Funnily enough this was an attempt to get a better recording...

In the room in our house that backs onto the trees in our garden, where echoes glorious birdsong...

This Sunday is International Dawn Chorus Day , an annual celebration of the beauty of birdsong. To mark the occasion we’re running lots of special guided dawn chorus events at our reserves up and down the country. To get the full effect you’ll need to set your alarm alarmingly early, but...

It's my first day in for a few days and just taking a quick check around the reserve I notice the first buds are peeping through on the willow outside the Gatehouse.It doesn't feel like Spring on a cold, wet day, but for nature, new life is well underway. I heard at least two noisy nuthatches...

A Robin sitting on a branch, getting ready to sing!

For the past few weeks my sleep has been ruined by a noisy bird outside our window. We live in the centre of town but have communal gardens with trees outside our windows where the culprit sits. It started off waking me up at 5 or 6 am but the past two nights it has been 2.30am and 2am! I have tried...

A few weeks back, I suggested you listen (and look out) for birds starting to sing . My tip for this weekend is to look out for other signs of spring . With snowdrops poking their heads up and daffodil leaves breaking free of the soil, there's no doubt that spring is very nearly here. Hooray! ...

After the windy, dull weather of the last week,everyone seems to have a smile on thier face today . Following a hard overnight frost the sun came up and we have clear blue skies and it even feels warm! The birds are singing away, I can hear a robin, coal tit and great tit chattering away outside the...

Hi everyone, That's a yaffling green woodpecker, beeping teals and bubbling curlews to be exact. It might have been a dreadfully rainy and wet day at Saltholme, but spring is still in the air. Some of the snowdrops are out in the wildlife garden. I'll try to get a photograph of them tomorrow...

This is a digital impression of the loaning to the hide and wetlands in early summer. This air is full of birdsong - Sedge and Willow Warblers, Blackcap and Whitethroat to mention just a few.

I heard what i thought was birdsong but thought it too wintery , when i looked outside i saw one beautiful blackbird singing from a chimmeny, this brightened up my day and showed me that the weather is warming up and nature is coming out to play soon

A morning walk at Fort Augustus brought us to an old cemetery, close to the hills. The only sound was birdsong. A woodpecker drumming and a cuckoo calling, joined by song thrushes, robins, blackbirds and warblers. Unforgettable, absolutely priceless!

I step onto Croxley Common Moor and all else disappears. The rustle of leaves, the soft swishing of grasses, the gurgling of the River Gade. Herons, woodpeckers, warblers. If you're lucky, a kingfisher. Peace. Serenity. Birdsong. My place.