Birdsong

In the heart of Moorleah, my home was serenaded by birdsong.  Every day the lilting notes imbued the land.  A fluting tone would often pierce my morning, and I’d find myself pausing to listen. 

When life’s currents swept me into town, I didn’t know how I could live there.  Then one day, during a house inspection, I found myself alone in the backyard and closed my eyes.  The familiar chorus of birds rose up in a soft embrace of sound, and in that moment, I knew I was coming home.    

The phenomenon of feeling safe and uplifted by hearing birds is intrinsic to our wellbeing.  From an evolutionary perspective and backed by contemporary neuroscience, these natural sounds have been our refuge since prehistoric times.  Back then, birdsong signaled a peaceful, predator-free environment, while sudden silence or alarm calls would alert our ancestors to potential dangers.  Our disposition hasn’t changed much.  There is a special area of our brain still finely tuned to respond to the specific frequency range of bird calls. 

Many studies indicate that listening to birdsong can reduce stress, enhance mood, and even improve cognitive function.  Incorporating birdsong into our daily lives, whether through spending time in nature or using recordings, can be a simple yet effective way to enhance our mental and emotional health.

‘For singing till his heaven fills,

Tis love of earth that he instils,

And ever winging up and up,

Our valley is his golden cup,

And he the wine which overflows

To lift us with him as he goes’

From The Lark Ascending

by George Meredith

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