The Blackbird is one of our finest songsters

May in particular, but also June, are the best times of the year to enjoy the wonderful audio spectacle of bird song. The songs of species that are present all year round are added to by those of African migrants. On the whole, it is the male birds that sing, and there are two main reasons why the singing occurs.

One reason is that the bird is showing off, trying to attract a mate, and so is effectively advertising himself, and suggesting that he would be a good 'catch'!! The other reason for the song is to announce a presence, and claim a territory, therefore warding off other male birds.                                                                        

There are plenty of species to listen out for  -  here are just a few of the 'must hear' songs:

Skylark  -  these wonderful birds sing from on high, for several minutes without stopping. No other British bird sings in this way. Hengistbury Head is the best location in the Borough to hear this super song. Skylarks have always attracted the attentions of poets  -  read some examples here.

Blackcap  -  this bird's song often surprises people when they first hear it. It is very rich and musical, and has an almost tropical feel to it. the bird itself is about the size of a sparrow, and, as the name suggests, has a black cap. It can be heard on several sites in Bournemouth, usually in or near wooded areas.

Wren  -  the Wren is the smallest bird in Britain after the Goldcrest, but it more than makes up for that with its booming song. It is an incredible burst of music from something so small  -  the song lasts about five or six seconds, and can't be mistaken for anything else once you are familiar with it. Read a poem about the Wren's exuberant song.

Song Thrush  -  with a name like that, you would expect this bird to have a good song, and it does not disappoint. it seems to have an endless repertoire of phrases that it sings, and its voice is loud and clear. The easy way to identify this song is to listen out for the repetition  -  although each phrase varies from the previous one, each phrase is usually repeated two, three or more times. This fact has been recorded in poetry, by none other than Robert Browning.

Cuckoo   -  it is a very simple song, but the song of the Cuckoo is one of the most evocative. It is a true sound of spring's arrival; indeed, many wildflowers have 'cuckoo' in the name, because they flower around the time that the Cuckoo arrives from Africa. However, the Cuckoo's song is not as easier to hear as it perhaps once was. Try somewhere with a river, as one of the bird nests the Cuckoo uses as a host for its eggs is that of the Reed Warbler. Try the Stour Valley, Hengistbury Head or Millhams Mead  - or perhaps you know of other locations. There is a short poem about the Cuckoo's song, and the fact that it does not stay in Britain for long.