Whilst on our daily walk today, we caught this little song battle for territory between a Blue Tit and a Greenfinch, sitting on top of a little bush. The Blue Tit has the two highs and the two low notes at first, and then three highs as it got more combative. The Greenfinch has a more “babbling” song, with the periodical “screeching” sounds. In the end, the Blue Tit was driven out and had to fly away! Private recording April 10th, 2023, ©Richard Emerson.

Wonderful example of the Dawn Chorus of birds at sunrise. From the Royal Natal National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Source: British Library, Creative Commons 4.0.

Notice the descending cascade of notes! Recorded April 7th, 2023. ©Richard Emerson

Notice the "screeching" part of the song! Recorded April 7th, 2023 ©Richard Emerson

Recorded on April 2nd, 2023. With some additional birds joining in at times! Source: Private Recording ©Richard Emerson

Recorded April 3rd, 2023. Source: Private Recording ©Richard Emerson

Recording April 3rd, 2023. Three sharp high notes, repeatedly.

Adult male blackbird and many other birds giving song in garden surroundings. Source: Department of Conservation (NZ).

Birds singing from silver beech trees in Abel Tasman National Park. Source: Department of Conservation (NZ).

"Birds and All Nature" was a monthly publication of the Nature Study Publishing Company of Chicago. It includes short poems and articles describing birds, animals and other natural subjects with accompanying color plates. The magazine was published from 1897-1907 under the various titles, "Birds," "Birds and all Nature," "Nature and Art" and "Birds and Nature." These short pieces are perfect for a first recording or for anyone with a love of nature. 

In this volume, Edmund Selous explains the beauty of birds to children. We meet some of the most beautiful birds in the world, and learn about their lives. We also learn what to do when our mothers decide to wear hats with stuffed birds on them!  All 12 chapters: Why Beautiful Birds are Killed Birds of Paradise The Great Bird of Paradise The Red Bird of Paradise The Lesser, Black, Blue, and Golden Birds of Paradise About all Birds of Paradise, and some Explanations About Humming-Birds,...

In this volume, Edmund Selous explains the beauty of birds to children. We meet some of the most beautiful birds in the world, and learn about their lives. We also learn what to do when our mothers decide to wear hats with stuffed birds on them!  All 12 chapters: Why Beautiful Birds are Killed Birds of Paradise The Great Bird of Paradise The Red Bird of Paradise The Lesser, Black, Blue, and Golden Birds of Paradise About all Birds of Paradise, and some Explanations About Humming-Birds,...

In this volume, Edmund Selous explains the beauty of birds to children. We meet some of the most beautiful birds in the world, and learn about their lives. We also learn what to do when our mothers decide to wear hats with stuffed birds on them!  All 12 chapters: Why Beautiful Birds are Killed Birds of Paradise The Great Bird of Paradise The Red Bird of Paradise The Lesser, Black, Blue, and Golden Birds of Paradise About all Birds of Paradise, and some Explanations About Humming-Birds,...

In this volume, Edmund Selous explains the beauty of birds to children. We meet some of the most beautiful birds in the world, and learn about their lives. We also learn what to do when our mothers decide to wear hats with stuffed birds on them!  All 12 chapters: Why Beautiful Birds are Killed Birds of Paradise The Great Bird of Paradise The Red Bird of Paradise The Lesser, Black, Blue, and Golden Birds of Paradise About all Birds of Paradise, and some Explanations About Humming-Birds, and...