May 1, 2017 - UK Bird Sounds (Android, only one sound per bird, free). ⢠Websites ... 7. Blue tit. Resident: Habitat:
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Beginners Guide to Bird Song
Ruby Merriman
Introductions… • RSPB Assistant Warden, North Kent Marshes • Previous Saltscape Conservation trainee with CWT • Co-founder of Tweeter Bird Sounds- app for Windows devices • Not an ‘expert’!
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Workshop Structure • Introduction to bird song • Why learn bird song ID? • Tips: Context, Mnemonics, Resources • The Easy 8 • Quiz • Quick tea break • Walk around park
What is a song? Basic definition: “the musical calls of a bird or birds”
Scientifically: “a sound made for purposes of territory defence and attracting a mate”
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Why do birds sing? Two main functions: - Territory defence - Attracting mates
Types of Song Type 1: Song conforms to a set pattern/ rhythm Type 2: Song is free, varied, and may consist of many different phrases and rhythms
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Why Learn?
Why Learn? 1. More sightings (important skill for breeding bird surveys)
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Why Learn? 1. More sightings 2. Distinguishing feature (e.g. chiffchaff & willow warbler)
Why Learn? 1. More sightings 2. Distinguishing feature 3. Enjoyment
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Tips
Context • Time of year & region
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Context • Time of year • Habitat
Context • Time of year • Habitat • Behaviour - Height - Solitary or social - Movement
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Mnemonics Lapwing- slide whistle
Nightingale- machine gun
Med gull- camp ‘oooohh’ or getting finger trapped in door
Yellowhammer- a little bit of bread and no cheese
Mnemonics Reed vs Sedge warbler MC Reed
Robin Wren Dunnock
vs
MC Speed
Puts little effort into producing an excellent song. Puts every ounce of effort into producing a hurried, exciting song. Tries its best but does not achieve.
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Winter Sounds • Robin • Dunnock • Goldfinch • Long-tailed tit • Starling • House sparrow • Woodpeckers • Calls of residents
Resources • Birds are the best tutors! • Other people • Apps- use out in the field Tweeter Bird Sounds (Windows 8 phones & all Windows 10 devices, free) Xeno-canto (Android & Apple, limited but free) Collins Bird Guide (Apple, £18) UK Bird Sounds (Android, only one sound per bird, free) • Websites www.xeno-canto.org – database of bird sounds worldwide https://www.birdid.no/bird/training.php - Visual and sound bird ID training https://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id - BTO bird ID videos http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/information/tutorials/ - covers some common bird sounds • Books Bird watching with your eyes closed, Simon Barnes
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The Easy 8
1. Chiffchaff
Sings its name
Migrant: Habitat: scrub, woodland, parks Behaviour: Tops of trees, moves amongst leaves in search of insects
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2. Great tit
‘Teacher’ song/ squeaky bike pump
Resident: Habitat: scrub, woodland, parks & gardens Behaviour: Tend to sing in scrub, rarely in the open
3. Wren
Battlefield- violent trill in the middle
Resident: Habitat: scrub, shrub layer of woodland, overgrown grassland, reed Behaviour: cocked up tail, low down, loud, mouse-like
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4. Chaffinch
Cricket bowler run-up Distinctive flourish at the end- ‘ta-da!’
Resident: Habitat: Woodland, scrub, parks & gardens Behaviour: sing from exposed perches, change perch regularly, above our level
Half way quiz! 1. 2.
3. 4.
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5. Greenfinch
Drawn out wheeze
Resident: Habitat: woodland, farmland, parks, gardens Behaviour: Often at feeders, sociable when feeding, tops of small trees when singing
6. Long-tailed tit
High pitched morse code Harsh trill ‘tsurp’
Resident: Habitat: Woodland, parks & gardens Behaviour: Very restless, sociable, often tops of trees dangling from branches, but will come down to our level
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7. Blue tit
Tells a joke then giggles- cheeky chap! ‘Tsee-tsee-chu-chu-chu-chu-chu’
Resident: Habitat: parks, gardens, woodland, scrub Behaviour: tips of branches picking off buds and insects, regular visitor to feeders and nestboxes
8. Robin
Rippling robin Short bursts of effortless song
Resident Habitat: Woodland, scrub, parks and gardens Behaviour: very territorial, will show itself when singing, various levels, sings all year round, not shy!
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Quiz 1.
5.
2.
6.
3.
7.
4.
8.
Next challenge…
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Any questions?
Save Lodge Hill
https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning/lodge-hill/
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Links to full recordings Chiffchaff: Great tit: Wren: Chaffinch: Long-tailed tit:
http://www.xeno-canto.org/179645 http://www.xeno-canto.org/179752 http://www.xeno-canto.org/186260 http://www.xeno-canto.org/181756 http://www.xeno-canto.org/169482 http://www.xeno-canto.org/170711 Blue tit: http://www.xeno-canto.org/28208 Greenfinch: http://www.xeno-canto.org/124955 Robin: http://www.xeno-canto.org/282043 Reed warbler: http://www.xeno-canto.org/180190 Sedge warbler: http://www.xeno-canto.org/317821
Species list from walk • • • • • • • • • • •
Chiffchaff Great tit Wren Chaffinch Blue tit Long-tailed tit Robin Blackbird Blackcap Nuthatch Mistle thrush
• • • • • • • •
Great-spotted woodpecker Reed warbler Reed bunting Goldcrest Grey wagtail Treecreeper Goldfinch Nearly lesser-spotted woodpecker!
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