APPENDIX V 



CALENDAR OF SINGING BIRDS FOR EACH 

 MONTH 



Within each month the birds are arranged in alphabetical order. 



A study of the songs of birds may well be begun in the winter months, 

 as only a few birds are then singing and those few can be seen with 

 comparative ease. 



In January there is very little song in severe weather. In February 

 there are some additions to the list, and by March the Thrushes, 

 Chaffinches and Hedge Sparrows sing with much more energy. During 

 April most of our summer migrants are added to the list, but May is 

 the month when there is the greatest volume of song. In June a few 

 species cease singing, and most sing less. During July many more 

 species become silent, and there are not many singing in August, though 

 by that time the Robin has begun again. The Willow Warbler is 

 then irregular and rather faint. There is not much variety in song 

 during the rest of the year, though the Robin sings regularly and the 

 Starling's whistle is fairly constant. The Wren, too, sings throughout 

 the winter, and in mild weather the Song Thrush is heard frequently 

 in the South but not so much in the North. The Hedge Sparrow 

 sings through the winter at irregular intervals in the South but in the 

 North does not begin till January, and Larks can only be heard in 

 mild weather. 



The notes of the following half-dozen birds cannot be described 

 exactly as songs, but it has been considered advisable to give their 

 dates. 



Cuckoo. April to the beginning of July, but heard less frequently 

 in June. 



Corncrake. End of April to August 1, but not heard much after 

 June. 



Nightjar. May to July. Swift. May to August. 



Turtle Dove. May to August. Wryneck. End of March to June. 



JANUARY 



Corn Bunting. End Sky Lark 



Dipper. Occasionally Song Thrush 



Hedge Sparrow Starling 



Missel Thrush Wood Lark, Mild weather 



Robin Wren 



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