VERY late during a blustery afternoon on February 8, I heard my first song thrush of the year, perched at the summit of a lofty oak. He was not yet in full voice, just warming up so early in the year but it was so good to hear him.

Nature Notes: So what will February's weather bring?

Then late on the following dull drizzly afternoon in nearby woodland I was thrilled to listen to song thrush, mistle thrush, blackbird and chaffinch, all limbering up for the forthcoming dawn and evening choruses. The populations of all those species have declined dramatically in the past decade so it was somewhat reassuring to know that some are still around.

Redwings (pictured) from Scandinavia are far less abundant this winter compared with the last three or four years. Berries on a variety of bushes remained largely untouched until early February although I only saw a very few flocks of these winter visitors. Perhaps the weather in their northern habitats has not been so severe this year?

Nature Notes: Let's hear it for our woodpeckers

Meanwhile I have not seen the ravens again and wonder if any readers have spotted them over south west London? However, their smaller cousins, the local crows, are busy indulging in pre-nesting activities and are almost as vociferous as the parakeets, both species creating quite a cacophony between them in complete contrast to the beautiful melodies of the thrushes and blackbird.