December is not typically a season of birdsong in the UK. Most birds are focused on survival — finding food during short winter days rather than preparing for the breeding season ahead. Yet during spells of unseasonably mild weather, some species break this silence, practising their songs as if spring were already within reach.
In recent weeks, I have heard several birds singing — quieter and less assertive than in spring, but noticeable nonetheless. Robins, which defend winter territories, are the most familiar voices, their thin, plaintive notes brightening grey days. Wrens, too, now often sing in mild winters, a habit I do not recall from childhood. In Somerset, recent Decembers have also brought the ringing phrases of the song thrush, while along the coast, overwintering skylarks have offered brief bursts of song. Blackbirds, by contrast, largely remain silent.
My December record was set on an unexpectedly warm afternoon in late 2015, when seven species were singing, including dunnock, goldcrest, chiffchaff and the explosively loud Cetti’s warbler. It was a moment that felt both joyful and unsettling, raising an uneasy question: were these birds anticipating spring — or signalling the subtle disruptions of a changing climate?
Nature often responds first to environmental shifts, long before humans fully grasp their meaning.
That attentiveness to long-term consequences finds a parallel in an unlikely place: the Guardian’s history. In 1936, John Scott, son of the newspaper’s legendary editor C.P. Scott, relinquished his personal stake and transferred ownership to the newly formed Scott Trust. The decision ensured the paper’s financial and editorial independence in perpetuity.
As a result, the Guardian cannot be bought by private equity, conglomerates, or wealthy individuals seeking influence. Its independence allows it to question power, report without fear, and speak plainly when silence might be more comfortable.
Like birds singing out of season, independent journalism serves as an early signal — a reminder that paying attention, especially in quiet moments, matters more than ever. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
Picture Credit: Mike Lane/Alamy