Let Nature Sing: RSPB to release birdsong single into UK charts

I love a 5am start; a whole new day stretching ahead of me, all shiny and full of possibilities.

The dog regards this as an uncivilised time to leave his basket, so usually it’s just me, my cup of tea and the free-ranging foxes that enjoy the sunrise. What the rest of the slumbering world miss at this time is a concert of riotous, joyful, beautiful music - the kind that makes you glad to be alive.

Image Credit: homecare119 on Pixabay

Every morning the musical stars of the avian world gather and give a performance that matches anything you might hear at the Royal Festival Hall. However, our bird population is under threat of falling silent.

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), since 1966, 44 million wild birds have been lost from the UK.

In response to this crisis in nature, the RSPB has released a specially-created track of birdsong titled ‘Let Nature Sing’ featuring the musical stars of the feathered world.

The Cuckoo, the Turtle Dove and the Nightingale provide backing to the solo sounds of the Blackbirds and Robin. Percussion from the Woodpecker and a bit of bass from the Bittern complete the instrumental line-up up; with over twenty other birds joining to form the heavenly choir.

The charity is calling on the public to download, stream and share the single to help get birdsong into the charts for the first time, spreading the word that nature is in crisis.

The Nightingale population is 10% of what it was 50 years ago, while only 2% of Turtle Doves remain. More than half of all Skylarks have gone whilst the Swift and Curlew and countless more once common birds have become critically endangered.

Turtle Dove/ Image Credit: Tony on Flickr

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Climate change, population growth, transport, intensive farming, and a demand for cheap mass-produced goods, all contribute to the decline of British wildlife. There has been an increase in insecticides and chemical fertilisers to wipe out many of the insects our native birds feed on and this means that the birds also often ingest the chemicals and die.

The way we now design our gardens also has a huge impact on the survival of British birds. In recent years, natural lawns and hedges have been replaced with artificial turf, decking, and gravel – which means there’s less land for birds to nest in, and they have less access to food. However, with a bit of care an urban garden can easily be made bird friendly.The single hopes to encourage the public to want birds to visit their garden.

Eurasian Curlew/ Image Credit: Phil McLean/FLPA from British Birds

These wonderful singers were brought together by the RSPB’s resident birdsong expert Adrian Thomas who recorded them across the UK from 2016- 2019. He was then joined by acclaimed folk singer Sam Lee and music director Bill Barclay to compose these amazing voices into one - creating this audio snapshot of British nature at its best.

Although the track is not designed to raise funds, and the download price is the minimum permitted under chart rules; any proceeds raised will go towards helping the charity’s 200 nature reserves around the UK. Here, a home for the birds featured on the single has been created and protected for future generations to enjoy.

The single goes on general release on 26th April. Find out more at the RSPB website and enjoy the opportunity to hear the birdsong even if you are not an early riser!

The track is available to preorder now from iTunes and Google Play.

Lead Image: jill111 on Pixabay

Let Nature Sing: RSPB to release birdsong single into UK charts

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