Birds and birdsong have long inspired writers and poets, from John Keats and Maya Angelou to Kate Bush and Dolly Parton.

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The artist’s imagination is fuelled by a singing bird as both muse and metaphor, but to be inspired you first must look and listen  – something I’ve often neglected to do. But as all our worlds got smaller this year, like others I took to walking around my local area not for purpose but for pleasure, and discovered a world of nature in suburban gardens, roadside trees and even a nearby flour mill.

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I remember walking along a tree-lined avenue on a sweltering spring day to the almost overwhelming sound of blue tits chattering and flitting about the treetops thick with foliage. And one September morning was brightened by the appearance of a pleasingly round robin hopping about my feet without a hint of shyness.

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Such simple moments have been important to my wellbeing in tough times and it’s done the same for my friend and fellow bird enthusiast, Pete Williams. Pete was one of Manchester Museum’s Visitor Team who retired this year, and who I already miss more than I can say. And he articulates far better than me why these moments are so special:

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“My favourite bird from being a young boy has always been a kingfisher. I said to myself that when I retired, I would go looking for one however long it took. On the second trip to Sale Water Park, a miracle happened – this beautiful bird put on a one-and-a-half hour show just for me. It was like being ten again.” – Peter Williams

In dark times, nature can be both a soothing balm for troubles and a reminder that there is a world out there far bigger than us – and this is perfectly illustrated by the story of academic, poet and ornithologist, John Buxton. During the Second World War, Buxton was held in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Bavarian mountains. Looking for something to occupy his mind, he and some fellow inmates began to watch two redstarts nesting at the camp. Their detailed daily observations were later published by Buxton in his work, The Redstart.

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I’m not aiming to produce any studies from my fleeting observations, but simply to warm my soul this winter with a bit of suburban nature-watching. And if your environment is more urban in nature, there’s still plenty to see with top tips available on this website from urban birder and nature writer David Lindo. The site is dedicated to the joys of nature-watching in the city and provides a place for people to share their stories of wildlife encounters.

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If you’re not able to get out and about this winter, Manchester Museum brings the birdsong to you in the form of the wonderful work, Wild Chorus, by Harry Ovington, which you can find out more about and listen to on our mobile site, mmfromhome.com.

Finally, I would like to turn to one of the many great writers inspired by birdsong and so end this post on a note of optimism for the year ahead.

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"Hope" is the thing with feathers – (314)

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By Emily Dickinson

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“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

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Take care of yourself this winter.

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Louise Thomas

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Title image: A photograph of a Robin taken by Louise while out walking

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Additional image: A photograph of a kingfisher taken by former Manchester Museum Visitor Team member Peter Williams