It seems every day at this time of year, I remark on how beautiful birdsong is. It is powerfully peaceful while boosting mood and focus and I find the intersection of its psychological effects on us fascinating.

At an evolutionary level, birdsong taps into an instinctual feeling of security and is therefore physically relaxing. It is an audio advertisement of life-sustaining resources and signals a lack of danger that would quieten birds. At the same time, it's random, non-repetitive nature and crescendo at dawn is mentally stimulating, piquing our attention and making us more alert.

Although cultural associations and listener memories add further layers of complexity to its effects, birdsong soundscapes have been successfully used in schools, hospitals, banks, airports, even toilets. Proven to create a more uplifting, calming and overall positive mindset, it seems more important than ever that we take active steps to ensure birdsong doesn't fade away.

I took this image during the final COVID lockdown and it feels symbolic of that time with the barbed wire, blood red sunrise and perched above it, a robin singing of hope and the power of nature.