It’s the first day of spring and although it may seem a little gloomy at the moment we want to brighten things up by giving two of you the chance to win a copy of The Birds They Sang courtesy of Saqi Books.
This lovely book is enchanting. Written by Polish ornithologist and author Stanislaw Lubienski it shines a light on some of history’s most meaningful interactions between birds and humans.
Discover more about Kes, the kestrel in Barry Hines’ novel A Kestrel for a Knave that was made into an award-winning film, be heart-warmed by the moving story of a group of prisoners of war turned bird watchers, and find out why François Mitterrand’s last meal was so controversial. Famous birdmen also feature including James Bond, Jonathan Franzen, and Alfred Hitchcock, as do Lubienski’s musings on his own experiences of birds and bird watching.
It’s a fun read that you can easily dip in and out of, and although some of Lubienski’s tales may be familiar, his prose is so delightful that you will surely see the relationship we have with birds through a new lens.
To enter all you need to do is tell us which bird you most associate with spring. Enter your answer in the comments below, and we’ll pick two winners at random using the wonderful wheel of names.
The competition closes at 11:59 pm on the 27th March 2020 and you can see the full competition Ts&Cs here.
Good luck!
This competition is now closed.
Don’t worry if you weren’t able to enter – check back soon for another chance to win.
88 Responses
Male Black Bird
The blackbird. First thing in a morning but especially when he’s singing his heart out at bedtime ( for the birds )
Blackbird after a thunder storm
The sky lark for me, fascinating bird, first song I hear, I know that winter is over and all will be good
At 82 my greatest pleasures are reading and watching the goldfinches from my sitting room decimating the niger seed feeders.
The Thrush, with its beautiful song
Definitely the cuckoo
The cuckoo, definitely.
Robins. Beautiful sounds from them and every single one has a different look to them. They are beautiful. Thank you
Geachte ,
Spreek geen Engels , maar hou enorm van vogels !
Zou dus heel graag het boek winnen !
Dank U wel !
Groetjes Paula
Sit in the kitchen and watch woodpeckers and nut hatch with the nuts.
Chiff-chaff for me. Lovely bird.
Swallows, they come back every year and are beautiful to watch.
Song Thrush
Wrens! Flirting with each other in the bushes
Cuckoo. Associated in my mind with one of those unexpected days when the breeze suddenly feels warm on the skin.
Cuckoo (of course)
Definitely the swallow for me! So fascinating to watch them and a sign the weather is changing for the better.
The Chiffchaff , he arrives most years on or just after the first day of spring. Then sings his special song to let us know he’s arrived. Blissful spring
For me it has to be the bluetits that nest in our bird box every year. So beautiful ?
CUCKOO !!
Has to be permits/lapwings wheeling about the sky!
Blue tits.
Blackbird
I lie in bed listening to their chorus each morning