Go nuts over glorious mud

Full-bodied bird song has begun trickling through woodlands before the first buds of spring have chance to unfurl their green credentials.

- With STUART WINTER

Mistle thrushes are declaring territories with treetop ballads said to warn of approaching storms. The sunrise and sunset crooning of song thrushes never sounds repetitive even though notes are delivered in identical couplets. Great tits, wrens and robins are also joining the arboreal chorus months in advance of springtime's dawn extravaganzas.

Attracting mates and warning off competitors is the driving force for songbirds to give voice, yet one bird manages to dictate the winter soundtrack with calls to suit its mood swings.