First, a Carrion Crow calls, but I would probably define this as singing in the biological sense as this bird was part of a pair which appeared to be defending their territory from a neighbouring pair.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZJTaIKQ-hAkea8fnVOWQpsy0JsTae7QaphRPeyt4OjL8Hzvc4Jbdj0oNwGOF_GVCO4eFrcDxnTsKBLuXMVOOswUFG7cQ025wvWCYcmu1D5CR9SQjlTLq6_LcnB6B80YjSqjxmw/s400/hampsteadheath25feb2012.jpg)
Next, a Chaffinch in full song; just one week ago many individuals (most likely 1st-year males) were singing plastic songs, not yet fully crystallised into full song.
Many Nuthatches were singing on the Heath but here is the typical call from a foraging bird, possibly used for contact; this and most other Nuthatches were paired and on territory.
Wrens sing all through the winter though the bird in this recording is uttering a shorter version of the typical song, lacking the terminal trill.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41GaNEGxAdFo9qpYdVwA_actdTFJ9_ikLfftGh7oJNePiucK3lluZyMOgaiISnFpUxoFO8wIUS7cheSD6HY_RRJfLno-kvXD0R_Gwek7RYBiNP_rIGIO8OjH2Ju8c6rzHnQ3aMQ/s400/compositeMixdetailsHH250112_part1_blog.jpg)
Nearby a particularly vocal Magpie was uttering some loud, harsh calls. I initially hoped it may have been in response to a Tawny Owl but it turned out that a Grey Squirrel was very close to the nest site, currently in construction.
Next, a Great Tit sings it simple song of two sets of double notes at 6.4 and 3.8 kHz. A different bird can be heard responding in the background, exhibiting matched counter singing with the same song type at a slightly lower pitch. Another Great Tit recording then follows with a completely different song type.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqZ6k2MfQrUoubovekyumRuXwINvvJO_iuk28Eac4hsT3MlXTPrHvfsXpTIgdqKqDzfNYmA7BUAiZkpoUOV3rhCi40SrOr6_5noJ9rNJMVwYbjbd10Tc34I_M8gIzLpS-64JZ_g/s400/compositeMixdetailsHH250112_part2_blog.jpg)
Finally, another winter singer, the European Robin closes this recording with a wistful delivery of melancholic notes.
Through all of this is the constant noise pollution from distant traffic, overhead planes, and “come on clever doggy, such a good doggy, chasing the squirrels”.