Last Sunday we were walking in the Arnside area of the South Lakes. We were walking up an incline towards Arnside Knott in the mid afternoon, it was raining quite hard and getting a little misty. Suddenly we noticed that there was no birdsong. Not a peep. It was a bit spooky really! Anyone know why this might have happened? It went on for about half an hour and as we got lower down the hill the birds started again. Did they not like the cloudy, misty stuff?
???
Maybe you wandered a bit high for songbirds? Most of them like trees and bushes, so if you were on moorland or open mountainside there wouldn't have been so many species to sing.
That's interesting going there at half term...must have a listen too.
Interesting thought Robert, but it was woodland all the way, I wondered about that too, but we were surrounded by trees and everything birds normally like!
I understand that the capacity of a bird to sing is related to how much energy it has left in the morning. singing strongly in the morning is a signal that the bird is healthy and fit to have lots to eat. On a cold night especially higher up the birds might have to feed more before they can sing again could it be that? or maybe the mornings song was over and you were left with one or two terratorial birds in large terratories becuase theres less food? so didnt hear much. Or you were in plantation that doesnt support many birds?
just a few thoughts
x sunloving
What type of woodland was it, deciduous or conifer?
At this time of year, the birds are getting over their moult and settling into their territories for the winter. Not much bird song around except for the Robin.
:D
My garden and local woods are a cacophony in spring and through summer for those who have more than one brood. There are plenty active in the garden now, feeding and playing, but they're not establishing territories, attracting mates or calling to babies which means they have nothing to sing about - except squawks when the sparrow hawk is about.
Just back from a week in Grange-0ver-Sands....visited Arnside knott and there was plenty of birdsong there now.
Must have been just the time of year.
Oh and we came across a lovely new allotment site while walking to Hampsfell, near the Grange golf club.