Silent Valley Nature trail

wren Napoleon Bonaparte advocated six hours sleep for a man, seven for a woman and eight for a fool. Some would also consider rising at five o'clock on a Saturday morning to listen to the dawn chorus indicative of a fool. Never the less I hauled myself out of bed and joined a group of early risers led by expert birder Jo Waughtmo. I was very glad I made the effort; walking along the Silent Valley Nature trail in the early morning sunshine Jo explained how to conduct a woodland bird survey. Identifying bird song is usually more productive in a woodland setting than actual bird sightings. The birds sing mostly in the early morning and late evening, hence the early start. The best way to become proficient identifying birdsong is to start in the garden, preferably early in the year before the migrants start to arrive and complicate matters. Aim to distinguish between the sounds of a few woodland birds that are equally at home in the garden like the noisy wren or the beautiful sounds of the blackbird. In addition to the type of bird the song also indicates behaviour; alarm calls if threatened, reassuring contact calls within family groups, demands for food from a growing brood or perhaps a male letting the world know that it has survived the night as it re-establishes a territorial boundary. Hopefully a flash of feathers bursting through the trees, hopping about in the undergrowth or perched high in the canopy will confirm the bird's identity. Quick sketches are all that's needed by bird watchers to back up their field notes, artists on the other hand should remain a while longer and also record the surroundings. The birds themselves don't stay still for long so reference books or photographs are usually needed to complete a sketch. Leaving the cool woods behind, the sun was already high in the sky and the songs became less evident. The birds quieten down in the afternoon but still remain active; I had no intention of remaining active, fools after all are entitled to a full eight hours sleep.
If you are interested in the sketches you can contact Eamonn by ringing 07962 189132

Eight hours for a fool
Napoleon Bonaparte advocated six hours sleep for a man, seven for a woman and eight for a fool. Some would also consider rising at five o'clock on a Saturday morning to listen to the dawn chorus indicative of a fool. Never the less I hauled myself out of bed and joined a group of early risers led by expert birder Jo Waughtmo. I was very glad I made the effort; walking along the Silent Valley Nature trail in the early morning sunshine Jo explained how to conduct a woodland bird survey. Identifying bird song is usually more productive in a woodland setting than actual bird sightings. The birds sing mostly in the early morning and late evening, hence the early start. The best way to become proficient identifying birdsong is to start in the garden, preferably early in the year before the migrants start to arrive and complicate matters. Aim to distinguish between the sounds of a few woodland birds that are equally at home in the garden like the noisy wren or the beautiful sounds of the blackbird. In addition to the type of bird the song also indicates behaviour; alarm calls if threatened, reassuring contact calls within family groups, demands for food from a growing brood or perhaps a male letting the world know that it has survived the night as it re-establishes a territorial boundary. Hopefully a flash of feathers bursting through the trees, hopping about in the undergrowth or perched high in the canopy will confirm the bird's identity. Quick sketches are all that's needed by bird watchers to back up their field notes, artists on the other hand should remain a while longer and also record the surroundings. The birds themselves don't stay still for long so reference books or photographs are usually needed to complete a sketch. Leaving the cool woods behind, the sun was already high in the sky and the songs became less evident. The birds quieten down in the afternoon but still remain active; I had no intention of remaining active, fools after all are entitled to a full eight hours sleep. If you are interested in the sketches you can contact Eamonn by ringing 07962 189132

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