Spring is the most vital, exciting time for nature. 'Spring is sex; Summer the lazy post-coital wallowing. Autumn is the sepia-tinged death of the relationship; Winter the lonely wander through the wilderness.'
In spring the birds sing. They properly sing, to show off their vocal cords, because a male with a strong resounding voice will make a good mate, he will have good genes to pass on.
One of the most striking spring birdsongs is that of the nightingale. Unfortunately you won't hear one in the town. I once told an RSPB woman that I thought I saw one in the St. Nicholas rest gardens near my house and she flatly told me this was impossible. I think it's because nightingales make their nests in low bushes and this wouldn't be workable in the town with all the cats and foxes.
Almost exactly this time last year we went on a pilgrimage to Pulborough Brooks to find some nightingales. For only a short time in May they sing and their juicy alarm-like piercing song is easy to distinguish. We heard them alright but they are difficult to spot, and rather innocuous looking besides, just a dull browny-grey colour blackbird sized bird. Their evolutionary allowance was spent mostly on their song.
Here is the video I took of what we saw and heard of the nightingales at Pulborough Brooks: (you can also hear a robin, chiff chaff and great tit in the background)
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