The month of April inspires poets, sometimes with contradictory results. Poet TS Eliot describes April as "the cruelest month." Shakespeare strikes an upbeat note, writing "April hath put a spirit of youth in everything." Let April speak for itself. Listen to the birds. In Southeastern Alaska, the exuberant voice of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet - - - In a Washington State marsh, a Common Yellowthroat - - - In South Texas, this Long-billed Thrasher - - - In a dense Midwestern shrub, a Brown Thrasher holds forth. And in the East, a White-throated Sparrow sings sweetly.
BirdNote®
The Bird Songs of April
Written by Bob Sundstrom
This is BirdNote.
The month of April inspires poets, sometimes with contradictory results.
T.S. Eliot describes April as “the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land.” Shakespeare strikes an upbeat note, writing “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.”
Let’s allow April – through the voice of nature – to speak for itself. Step outside and listen to the birds.
In Southeastern Alaska, the exuberant voice of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet rings from a streamside willow. [Ruby-crowned Kinglet song]
In a Washington State marsh, a Common Yellowthroat perches atop a cattail, as it belts out its galloping tune. [Common Yellowthroat song]
In south Texas, [Long–billed Thrasher song] the intricate musical phrasing of a Long–billed Thrasher rambles forth from a thicket. [Long–billed Thrasher song]
In a dense Midwestern shrub, [Brown Thrasher song] a Brown Thrasher holds forth. [Brown Thrasher song] The slender, secretive thrasher prefers singing from the shadows. [Brown Thrasher song]
From a nearby evergreen come the pure, whistled notes of a White-throated Sparrow. This sweet music will ring through many northern forests all across the continent. [White-throated Sparrow song]
For BirdNote, I'm Michael Stein. [Long-billed Thrasher]
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Bird songs provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Ruby-crowned Kinglet recorded by G.A. Keller; Common Yellowthroat, Brown Thrasher 94281, and White-throated Sparrow 66750 W.L. Hershberger; Long-billed Thrasher 130904 by G.Vyn.
Stream ambient by C. Peterson
Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Chris Peterson
© 2012 Tune In to Nature.org April 2017 / 2018 / 2020 Narrator: Michael Stein
ID# april-06-2012-04-12 april-06
Sights & Sounds
