Nature Salon: Birdsong

Birdsong is getting louder and richer, buds are bursting into bloom, bumblebees are beginning to buzz, which can only mean one thing – spring has sprung. Come and see naturalist Chris Sperring and conservationist and author, Mary Colwell, to find out more about this magical time of year.

Who is leaving us to breed elsewhere, who is arriving for the summer months? How are the resident species reacting to warmer weather and lighter days? And is climate change affecting spring?

Afterwards, you can opt for a spring wander through Brandon Hill Park to see spring in action.

Chris Sperring is a professional wildlife conservationist working for Hawk and Owl Trust. He also presents and broadcasts on TV and radio, lectures on a wide range of subjects, is a wildlife photographer, and writes articles for magazines and newspapers. In his spare time he studies and conserves even more wildlife, writes music as a guitarist for the environment/wildlife rock band Raptor, and always enjoys a good debate!

Mary Colwell is an author, producer and campaigner for nature. She is the author of 4 books, including most recently The Gathering Place (Bloomsbury). In 2022 she was awarded the prestigious RSP Medal for her contribution to nature and conservation and she successfully spearheaded the campaign to introduce a GCSE in Natural History into the school curriculum.