This is THE week of the year to hear nightingales

RSPB Jonno
RSPB Jonno Forum Participant Posts: 13
edited May 2019 in Wildlife, Nature & the Great Outdoors #1

Having just flown in from sub Saharan Africa, the nightingale males are full of testosterone and seeking a mate for the breeding season. For the next week to ten days they will sing their hearts out DAY AND NIGHT from heavily shrubbed areas close to fresh water to find a mate. Like much of nature, the population of these birds is in steep decline, but they thrive in some places. RSPB Pulborough Brooks, in West Sussex, is holding its annual Nightingale Festival this weekend (May 4-6). There'll be plenty of help from the reserve's volunteers so that you'll be able to hear and, if you're lucky, see one of these songsters.

Comments

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #2

    I had to look up on the RSPB web site where we might hear them and I see Garston Woods near Sixpenny Handley in Dorset is one of the places listed. We used to stay on the Church Farm caravan site in Sixpenny Handley village, it's in a good spot for visiting Cranborne Chase and some quieter parts of Dorset.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #3

    There's a good place to hear them at the Stour Estuary reserve in Essex. We've seen at least 3 there at this time of year. That's 3 together.  From the car park go over the railway line then turn left and follow the wood around, heading towards Grayson Perry's house. In the woods not long after the railway crossing. A few years ago but seen a few years apart so maybe regular.

    Also seen them on Mercea Island.

    Edit - Not often you get to mention Grayson Perry, Nightingales and RSPB together.😀

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2019 #4

    I’m off to Pullborough Brooks about 24th May and hope I’m not too late.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited May 2019 #5

    They are known to nest at Whisby Nature Reserve near Lincoln, which is not far from the Skybarn Farm CL. A special area has been set out for them there.

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