Imagine if we had to do it. Imagine that first thing every morning we had to stake a claim to our property by pulling on our dressing gowns, marching out onto our front lawns, taking a deep breath and singing a song.


Sussex would awaken to an a cappella cacophony of show tunes, power ballads and rock anthems pouring from porches and patios, backyards and balconies. And if you weren’t out there, patrolling your property with a raspy rendition of ‘Hey Jude’, your neighbours would assume you’d gone and they’d muscle in. If you overslept you’d wake to find Jeanette from two doors down screeching ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ on your doorstep and you’d have to see her off with your version of ‘River Deep, Mountain High’.


Throughout March male birds are aggressively establishing their breeding territories. In the absence of bricks and barbed wire, their songs build the boundaries around their little bits of Sussex. It’s vital they sing every morning. After a day dodging cats, cars, windowpanes and sparrowhawks their defiant songs (think ‘I will survive’ meets ‘My way’) inform their neighbours that they’re still alive and they’re still king of the hill.


Top of the heap.
To our ears this warzone of warbles and whistles is a stirring celebration of the passing of winter and the arrival of spring, which fills our hearts with the promise of the summer to come. Bernstein, Britten, Beethoven and Brian Wilson rolled into one. At the first hint of dawn, in the still, silent air, this free music festival begins. And what a line-up!

Local duo Robin and Blackbird open the show with their laid-back, soulful crooning.

Then that little bird with the big attitude, The Wren, cranks it up with his rockin’, rollin’ rattle.

The symphony builds as the sun rises. We’re joined by a supergroup; CSD&G (Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Dunnock & Great Tit).

For our headliners, international singing sensations The Warblers (ft. Blackcap & Chiff-chaff) will be flying in from Africa to add their voices to this avian opera.

There’s another reason for this performance. Because if you’ve got enough spare time to stand around and sing then you must be good at finding food. So females flock to the lead singer – a familiar phenomenon (let’s face it, Jagger wouldn’t have charmed all those women if he’d been a dentist).

So take a morning stroll in your local woodlands in March and enjoy this free performance.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is an independent registered charity caring for wildlife and habitats throughout Sussex. Founded in 1961, we rely on the support of our members to help protect our rich natural heritage. Please consider supporting our work. As a member you will be invited to join Michael Blencowe on our regular wildlife walks and also enjoy free events, discounts on wildlife courses, Wildlife magazine and our guide book, Discovering Wildlife in Sussex. It’s easy to join online at www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/join or T: 01273 497532.

By Michael Blencowe: Learning & Engagement Officer, Sussex Wildlife Trust.
blackbird singing©Neil FletcherSussex Wildlife Trust
robin singing© © Neil FletcherSussex Wildlife Trust.
wren©Derek MiddletonSussex Wildlife Trust.
chaffinch© © Neil FletcherSussex Wildlife Trus