Five key sounds in Kew Gardens in May

One of our commonest warblers, Blackaps have a rich, flutey song and have been known as the ‘northern nightingale’.

The various calls of the Wren can be heard in almost every kind of habitat, and the song is a staple of woodland and gardens in spring.

Familiar to fans of Bagpuss as ‘Professor Yaffle’, the loud laughing call can be heard in open woodland and large parks.

The ‘reverse coo’ of the Stock Dove is the clue to finding these underappreciated birds among our mature trees.

Nuthatches make all kinds of noises. The ‘dweep dweep’ call helps us find these dynamic treehuggers.