Usually at this time of year Julie Steele would be organising the village’s annual dawn chorus walk which always involves an early morning meeting at the shop, a walk into Hambledon Hurst and then onto the common to appreciate the wonderful variety of birdsong and to note down the different birds contributing to the music.

Unfortunately, of course, this year the walk has had to be cancelled but we have a plan so that we don’t miss out entirely!

This Saturday, May 2nd, instead of meeting at the shop, we are suggesting that we all just wander out into our gardens at 5.30am (!) and spend an hour wrapped up warmly listening to the dawn chorus. If you would like to join in then please do and jot down the names of the different birds you hear during the hour, then email your list to Ruth Canham at [email protected] and we will post the results on the village website.

For anyone not feeling very confident in telling their birds apart, the RSPB has a very helpful birdsong App where you can listen to the songs of all British birds to help with identification.