From the magazine

The complexities of the dawn chorus

The habits of common or garden birds and their intricate songs prove even more fascinating than the puffins and guillemots of Adam Nicolson’s previous book

Horatio Clare
The blackbird’s song, crafted through an aesthetic editorial process, is far more complex than we can hear. Getty Images
EXPLORE THE ISSUE 03 May 2025
issue 03 May 2025

‘Tawny owls,’ I tell friends and family, ‘can’t see in the dark any better than we can. So they memorise the whole wood! But they may be able to see sound,’ I burble. ‘And the Latin name for a blue tit is Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus: Heavenly hidden blue one!’

In Bird School, Adam Nicolson rejoices in the detailed stories of some of the birds on his farm in Sussex.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in