I was fortunate to be invited to speak to students on the Natural Building course at Schumacher College, Dartington today. We had a very interesting and rewarding session on birds and buildings, looking at bird song and habitats, their nesting habits, how birds use man made structures and how new buildings can be designed with birds and other wildlife in mind. I was reminded how fortunate I am to be able to help other people connect with nature and the world around them through birds. People always appreciate the opportunity to be quiet and still and be helped in beginning to unravel the bewildering mesh of sounds they hear around them in spring woodland. Just being given the 'permission to listen' is a valuable thing in itself, and something these course participants (below) were grateful for. Many thanks to Robert Somerville, the course leader, for inviting me to contribute to a very rewarding morning.
