Whenever I walk in the park this time of year I am overcome by the number of birds singing. Although I can recognise the Robin, the Blackbird and the Great Tit, it's difficult to sort them out while they are all singing at once.
Maybe you have already done this, but try downloading the Merlin app for your phone. Here is a screenshot of what it found in just 30 seconds as I entered the park off Barley Lane. A particular treat to hear a Song Thrush. The app does make the odd mistake, so I suspect the Northern Mockingbird was not real(!), but the others are solid detections.
What is even better is that the bird that is currently singing is highlighted, so you can learn to recognise them by careful listening. A beautiful reminder of an amazing spring morning,
The app is designed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, so it's got serious scientific backing and your sightings (hearings ?!) contribute to their research.
9th April 2026.
