Lift your spirits with nightingale song
Thursday 29th April 2010
Now is the time to celebrate the song of the nightingale, with The Wildlife Trusts.
In May, special early morning and evening guided walks are held by The Wildlife Trusts to help visitors capture the beauty of its song. Nightingales arrive in April and sing until late May and early June. They leave between July and September and can be heard singing throughout the day, as well as at night.
Paul Wilkinson, head of Living Landscape at The Wildlife Trusts, said: “This secretive bird’s song is of such high quality few other species can match. Close your eyes and be spellbound by the nightingale’s call. Hearing it give its all is good for the soul!
“However, due to loss of the nightingale’s preferred habitat, this summer visitor now seems to be largely restricted to the south and east of England. It was once quite widespread throughout the UK. There is still a good chance of catching this songbird’s remarkable performances until early June in counties including Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Essex, Suffolk and Lincolnshire.”
Where and when to hear nightingales:
Rutland Water – Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
Singing nightingales can be heard in Hambleton wood on the south side of the Hambleton peninsular at Rutland water: http://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/
Nightingale Morning Chorus - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Sunday 2 May at 6am
Monday 3 May at 8pm
Hear nightingales - and other songsters - at their most important site in the East Midlands at Whisby Nature Park, Lincoln. Meet at the Warden’s Office. Booking is essential through Natural World Visitor Centre on 01522 688868. Cost £2. There are numerous waymarked routes throughout the nature park: the paths around Coot Lake are the best places to encounter the elusive but eloquent nightingale.
Listen to nightingales on Bookham Common – Surrey Wildlife Trust
Tuesday 11 May 7pm – 10pm
Join Colin Smith for a stroll to hear nightingales, a walk on the common seeking cuckoos and herons. Return at dusk to see nightingales. Owls and roe deer may also be seen or heard. Please wear suitable footwear if wet. Meet at 100 Pound Bridge car park, Bookham Common. At the end of Bookham Road from Downside and Cobham. Grid ref: TQ 121 567. Adults £4, members & concessions £3, children free. Organised by SWT Kingston Local Group 0208 337 9631.
An evening with nightingales - Sussex Wildlife Trust
Thursday 6 May from 7.30pm–10pm
Tuesday 11 May from 7.30pm–10pm
Thursday 20 May from 7.30pm-10pm
Tuesday 25 May from 7.30pm-10pm
Find out why this wonderful bird has inspired poets and musicians throughout the ages. An introductory indoor session at Woods Mill, Henfield, West Sussex is followed by a walk on the reserve to listen out for this secretive summer visitor. Disabled toilets. Sorry no dogs. Members/concessions £8 / Non-members: £10. Booking essential please call 01273 497561
Story by RSWT