For about 2 years now I have been learning to identify birds by their songs. Before I started taking a real interest in this, I could pick out a few - robin, blackbird, etc, but I wasn't really taking a huge effort to learn the more obscure calls you hear - even in the back garden.
So, why learn bird calls? Well, not only is it a fun and great way of expanding your wildlife knowledge, but it is also very helpful at identifying birds which you might not otherwise know are around. For example, I have never seen a Jay in my neighborhood - but I know they are around because I hear their diagnostic scream from time to time.
It's also excellent at helping conservationists out, particularly when surveying - bitterns, water rails and more are often only heard rather than seen.
Although it might seem really daunting at first, learning the basics can be quite easy. This time of year is perfect to start learning because the birds are just starting to call, but the warblers and migrants haven't turned up yet to confuse you. First off, get yourself a bird song identification CD, and listen to the common ones - such as blue tit, great tit, coal tit, robin, blackbird, greenfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch etc. Then - put it into practice. Go for a walk in the early morning or at dusk and listen. Scribble down on a notepad all the ones you CAN identify. Don't worry if its none or only one or two!
It's a start. Now, go home and carry on brushing up until you can identify all the birds you can hear singing in your back garden.
One of the great ways I've found of remembering some calls is by phrases people have made up over time to describe what the bird's call sounds like. Although they don't actually sound like the birds are saying the exact words, the syllables are usually the same, making it easier to remember. For example, a lot of birders or wildlife enthusiasts will know yellowhammers are said to sing "A little bit of bread and no
cheeeeese", but have you heard of how to distinguish wood pigeon and collared dove? Remember, wood pigeons say "steal two cows, Taffy", and collared doves chant "uni-ted, uni-ted, uni-ted". See the bird bouncing over your head as it says "chis-ik, chis-ik"? That's probably a pied wagtail! As well as this, you can think of things you've heard before that a bird's call reminds you of. For example, my mum once told me she thinks red grouse sound like an old engine spluttering into use, and now I always think of that. And great tits - well, they sound like bicycles that need oiling!
Below are some illustrations I made of some of the ways I remember bird's calls!
Now, get out there and enjoy the bird song, and have a go yourself!
By Amy S