Birdsong

Assuming you have normal hearing, imagine a world without the sound of birds singing and calling.

Even in our most industrialised and urbanised locations it is still possible to hear birds, but we should never take for granted that this will always be so. Even within my lifetime there has been a noticeable diminution in the volume and duration of birdsong, this even extends to areas of forest and other seemingly wild landscapes, and the downward trend continues unabated.

In general birds sing less when there is less competition for resources or mates and the loss of abundance of most species is dulling, the once deafening, dawn chorus. Can we stem the inexorable decline? We have the capacity, but do we have the will to reverse some of the most damaging aspects of human impact on the natural environment?

If you are in doubt, go outside and listen to the birds. Could you knowingly continue to act in the same way, even though you know it will almost completely destroy the Earth’s biodiversity.

When Rachael Carson wrote ‘Silent Spring’ it was a wake-up call to the world. Too many of our politicians, industrialists and oligarchs are deaf. It’s up to you and me to make them hear.

Vote wisely, spend strategically.

Go outside and listen to birdsong!

Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis sings on Astmoor Saltmarsh, Runcorn 9th April 2025 © Jeff Clarke