Tell us your tune

Tell us your tune

Andy Rouse/2020VISION

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is asking people to share the phrases and mnemonics that they use to remember bird song

In late April and early May, bird song hits its peak as the male birds sing to claim their territories and attract the attention of females. But it can be tricky to distinguish one bird from another.

A few species, like the cuckoo and the chiffchaff, helpfully sing their own names. Others have well-known phrases. Great tits repeated call ‘teacher-teacher’ and yellowhammers sing ‘a-little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese’. But what about all the others?

Matthew Capper, Head of Public Engagement & Communications, said: “I remember the wren’s song as ‘shrill with a trill’ and a friend of mine is convinced that the blackcap is imitating the Laurel and Hardy theme tune.

“We’re sure people have their own ways of reminding themselves which species is singing and we’d love to know what they are. Maybe inspired by what it sounds like the bird is saying or perhaps there’s a local Lincolnshire saying.”

Let the Wildlife Trust know via Twitter @LincsWildlife or on their Facebook page @LincolnshireWildlifeTrust