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Winter is often characterized by chilly mornings, a dusting of snow, and the presence of the robin, a bird that truly shines when the temperature drops. The robin ranks among the UK’s most cherished garden birds and, along with species like the wren, continues to sing long after many other birds have fallen silent for the season. Unlike others primarily concerned with finding food and keeping warm, both wrens and robins maintain their song throughout the year as a way to defend their territories and warn rivals to keep away. Blackbirds and thrushes are also known to vocalize regardless of the cold.
As winter sets in, many birds migrate south to milder climates, while others arrive in the UK searching for food during the colder months. Those that remain face the challenge of competing for limited resources while enduring the colder temperatures. The robin exhibits an interesting change in its singing pattern across the seasons; its winter song is softer and less vigorous, but as spring and summer approach, the song becomes livelier and more intense. This shift aligns with the robin preparing to attract a mate, a period when most birds resume their singing.
The dawn chorus, where multiple birds join in song, starts to become noticeable from late January, gradually involving more species as the weather warms. Birds are most vocal around sunrise, with the peak singing often occurring about 30 minutes before and after the sun comes up. Typically, blackbirds and robins lead the chorus, followed by wrens, thrushes, and warblers as daylight increases. Those interested can check local sunrise and sunset times through weather services to catch this early morning spectacle.
Weather conditions greatly influence bird song. Calm and dry mornings are ideal for hearing the chorus at its fullest, as still air allows the songs to carry farther. Even a light, steady drizzle does not usually stop birds from singing. However, Daniel Johnson from the British Trust for Ornithology notes that birds tend to stay quiet in poor weather such as wind, rain, or overcast skies, often remaining low to conserve energy. Silence among birds can sometimes signal impending bad weather. Additionally, research from the United States has shown that exposure to high temperatures can decrease birds’ singing frequency. After mating and once their young have left the nest, most species reduce their singing and concentrate on surviving the winter months. It is also thought that birdsong provides psychological comfort to humans, creating a sense of safety and well-being in the environment—so much so that the absence of birdsong can feel unsettling, even if we are not fully aware of why
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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