I’m Like A Bird

One of the highlights of my morning dog walks in recent weeks has been the splendour of birdsong.

Although to me, it sounds less like a dawn chorus these days, and has almost been amplified to sound like a rousing rendition of their greatest hits. And that's because, as the RSPB reliably informs me, birds get noisier at this time of year to attract a mate.

This morning was a prime example when my dog Sophie and I were stopped in our tracks by a woodpecker.

I couldn't believe it at first.

This woodpecker didn't sound as if he was pecking at the tree he was perched on.

No.

He sounded like a power tool, revving up and getting ready to chop it down.

Birdsong

A growing captivation with my feathered friends has also reminded me of Donna Ashworth’s poem Birdsong, which she read at Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival last week.

"At some point throughout it all, you will begin to watch the birds, my friends. And nothing else will ever look quite the same again," Donna told us.

Oh, how right she is.

Growing Older

Perhaps it is an age thing - something else Donna alludes to when her poem mentions age being the key which almost unlocks birds' "mighty majesty".

Indeed, I put my hands up and proudly admit I've just joined a birdsong identification course with a local wildlife trust. I also know other friends have downloaded birdsong apps on their phones, so they can distinguish between the top ten tweets playing in their gardens.

And as we all know, age can do funny things to us.

I had to laugh when nursing a pint of lager shandy over a curry with friends on Friday night. We suddenly realised the topics of conversation we'd animatedly dwelled on the most, were the merits of garden centres, allotments and caravans!

And Wiser

But maybe we just become a little wiser as we get older, because there's more to birdsong than we realise. It's not only beautiful, it has a calming effect too.

And with this week being Mental Health Awareness Week, it reminded me of something I learnt recently.

Our predecessors were wise and knew birdsong was a good sign. It meant all was well. If they could hear birds singing, there was nothing to fear because there were no predators around. It made them feel safe.

So perhaps that's why those sweet chirping sparrows (aren't they the noisiest birds ever?!) make you smile when you walk by. They're giving your flight or fight responses a soothing little hug on the way past.

And it's not only about the birdsong. There are so many other bird stories I can share too.

Awakening

Robins, those red breasted little fellows some of us believe bring comfort from lost loved ones, even have a starring role in my book.

Then whilst trying to tune into my more spiritual side a few years ago, and asking for a sign I was on the right path, I was gobsmacked when we drove past the most majestic white peacock perched on a garden gate - a bird that is thought to represent divine spiritual awakening and transformation.

Typically, it disappeared when I convinced my husband to go back so I could prove what I'd seen.

He tried to convince me it was a white tarpaulin flapping around, but I knew what I'd seen. I also knew I wasn't drunk or hung over or wildly delusional with tiredness at the time.

So there you have it. At 54 years old I declare myself as a true bird lover.

And apologies to my brother who was a bit of a nerdy bird spotter when we were younger. He used to make me study his I Spy books on birds, but thanks to him, I now know my Chaffinch from my Bullfinch but just need to work a bit harder to try and identify what they sound like.

Picture Perfect

This beautiful picture of a kingfisher I've shared above was drawn by a lovely lady I know called Kelly.

She recently returned to her creativity in her 40s and wants to highlight UK wildlife, as she fears we're losing our local countryside to housebuilding.

"As I got older I realised I don't see as many birds now," Kelly told me. "When I was young I saw a kingfisher at the local lakes. I sat for ages watching it nesting at the edge and was in awe when I saw it dive into the water for fish. It's the only time I've seen this and it was so special."

Indeed, as Donna reminds us about birds, once we've opened our eyes to their splendour, nothing will look the same again.