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
Long tail tits they just little ball energy around feeders
I love the song of the black cap. But at 66 if I can still hear the contact calls of the goldcrest and long tailed tits I know I am not going deaf yet!
Chiffchaff – walked around Rutland Water today and could hear them singing all around, the sun was shining and for a short time we managed to not think of the current health situation.
The song of the blackbird which last Spring lasted for months – it never did find a mate. And it started singing this morning!
The sound of a Chiffchaff.
The song the of the blackcaps and the chiffschaffs
The Song thrush singing to tell everyone this patch is his ?
To hear the Blackbird in-full song is one of the sounds I always associate with spring, but to really appreciate Spring has arrived, it’s got to be the call of the Cuckoo birds first call.
The blue tit. A flash of yellow n blue.
The cheeky pair of jackdaws who have decided to join in at the bird table which is becoming gloriously busy once more.
Ospreys arriving
It has to be dunnocks doing their flirty dance in the garden!
Long tail tits. Each year i hope to see one on the nest with the tail curled up over the head. Hasn’t happened yet but ever hopeful.
Early spring would be Robins, then Red wing blackbirds.
The glorious, uplifting, beautiful dawn chorus, a total joy ?
Pairing up robins fighting in the garden!
The Great Tit. Constantly busy, getting everything ready for a busy year.
I love the early evening when the blackbird sings around his territory
I’m on the listen out for the first Chiffchaff.
The Thrush, sings endessly on a spring and summer evening.
The blackbird. My absolute favourite bird. The joyful singing. Love seeing them worm pulling on the lawn. Always bring me lovely memories of my Dad feeding them worms whilst being near him on his allotment.
curlews
The jenny wren
All the birds that start singing with the dawn light.
The blackbird at dawn. That song is jusg the sound of spring to me.
The dunnock, such a lively underrated little bird