How does winter weather affect birdsong?

Still, dry mornings are the best to hear the chorus in all its glory. On a calm, still morning their song will travel further.

Even during a quiet, steady drizzle, most species will sing much as usual.

However, Daniel Johnson, from the British Trust for Ornithology, said: “Birds tend to avoid singing in bad weather conditions. This includes windy, rainy or cloudy conditions as during these times they’re usually low down conserving energy.”

So if you notice the birds have fallen silent, it can indicate that bad weather is on the way.

Conversely a study carried out by researchers in the USA showed that exposure to high temperatures can also reduce song production, external.

For most species once they’ve mated and their fledglings have left they sing less and focus on surviving the cold months.

Scientists believe that the sound of birds singing makes humans feel safe. The soaring melodies are a reassuring sign that all is well in the environment meaning the absence of birdsong can feel unsettling – even if we don’t consciously realise why.