Actor and keen birdwatcher Samuel West returns to Tweet of the Day for this his second week, rummaging through some of his favourite episodes from the back catalogue. In this episode Samuel recalls an early morning family visit to Oare Marshes in Kent where hearing nightingales and turtle dove reminded them of the decline in these species since the 1970's. You can hear Samuel's selection from greenfinch to turtle dove all this week on Radio 4, from Monday through to Friday at 05.58. And you can hear more from Samuel in the Tweet of the Week omnibus podcast, which can be found on the Radio 4 website, or can be found on the BBC iplayer Radio App by searching search for Tweet of the Week. Producer : Maggie Ayre.

Samuel West acts out his Tweet of the Day, 2 of 2

Discover birds through their songs and calls. Each Tweet of the Day begins with a call or song, followed by a story of fascinating ornithology inspired by the sound.

Science

Satush Kumar was born in Rajasthan, India, where the Peacock, the Mayura, is a sacred bird and also associated with the monsoon. In India, it is believed that after the long, hot summer peacocks come out and display their bright and vibrant feathers in an extravagant dance to please Indra, the god of rain, before calling to let the rains begin, bringing relief to plants, animals, soils and humans.  Producer : Andrew Dawes
Image : Copyright Resurgence Magazine

Satish Kumar and the Peacock

Peace & environment activist, Satish Kumar has lived in Devon for many years. In his garden he loves hearing the sweet melodious calls from a blackbird singing on a stone wall.   Producer : Andrew Dawes
Picture : Copyright Gregg Dalgllish / Resurgence Magazin

Satish Kumar on the Blackbird

For Welsh poet and playwright Gillian Clarke she has had two close encounters with a grey heron, including the one in her garden reminding her of a Bishop wearing vestments. You can hear more from Gillian in the Tweet of the Week Omnibus available on BBC Sounds Producer : Andrew Dawes

Gillian Clarke and the Grey Heron

Welsh poet and playwright Gillian Clarke first saw a red kite in the Welsh mountains as a child, a bird which now has expanded east and now Gillian regularly sees them sky-dancing over Reading while she travels to London on the train. Producer : Andrew Dawes

Gillian Clarke on the Red Kite

For wildlife sound recordist Geoff Sample the strange sound of Dupont's lark is something of an enigma, as despite recording half a dozen birds he has never actually seen one. Producer : Andrew Dawes

Samuel West acts out his Tweet of the Day, 2 of 2

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