Back to bird school

One-off autumn workshop, plus events booking for 2024.

It may not feel autumnal right now, but birds are on the move.

After a summer’s absence, a Grey Wagtail is bouncing around our local rooftops. The hedges nearby have Redstarts and Spotted Flycatchers, feeding up for their long journeys south. The first Wigeon and Snipe of the season are back on the marsh.

It’s a special time to be outside. So although the birdsong-proper is at a low ebb, we are holding a one-off, half-day workshop at Herstmonceux Castle, on Saturday 23 September.

We’ll be tuning our ears to the squeaks and whistles of late September, and exploring how our ears can lead us to special encounters with birds, even in autumn and winter.

Do join us if you can.

The first events for 2024 (also Herstmonceux - it’s nice there) are also now available to book. The programme at Stanmer Park (Brighton) will be published later in the year.

Latest birdsong guides

Species featured in recent weeks over on Shriek of the Week include:

Skylark (higher state of consciousness)
Bearded Tit (ping-call wizard)
Green Sandpiper (marginal panic)

It’s a bird every month, until January. Paying subscribers receive narrated versions, for new birds and the full archive, and an invitation to join our monthly Early Bird Club live call on the first Saturday of the month.

You can give it a try for £5 a month, or £25 for a whole year of access and Early Bird calls.

🔭 Recommended watch

I was feeling a little hopeless last week. At these times I can be tempted to doomscroll my way into further distress, but somehow I remembered to watch this short film instead.

It’s about a forest regeneration project in New Zealand, and it’s just as delightful the second time around. I reckon it works particularly well after deactivating your Twitter account.

🛤 Coming soon

• Community event on climate, nature and the cost of living. For those of you in and around Hailsham, we are holding a community event showcasing local projects and connecting people up. Wednesday 18 October, 7.30pm, Hailsham Methodist Church. Contact me for further details.

• Up With The Birds 2024. Where Birdsong Academy all started - free-to-all Zoom get-togethers sharing live birdsong and conversation in the UK and beyond. Dates to be published later this year.

• Birdsong Essentials course 2024 - the immersive ten-week course runs again from February (4th year!) and is available to book now. More details on the Birdsong Academy website.

Right, I’m off to see a wasp spider. If you have requests, feedback or queries, please leave a comment here or send me an email.

Enjoy September’s birds.
~ Charlie

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Media credits:
Skylark image by Neil Smith via Flickr, reproduced under CC licence CC-BY-SA 2.0