One Day a Thousand Songs

On 6 May last year, just before the first light of day, a robin sang the opening notes of the dawn chorus in John Miller’s Wiltshire garden at precisely 4.35am.

For the rest of that day, until a tawny owl passed over at 9.23pm, each bird is briefly brought to life with John’s observations and fascinating backstories: their nests, their eggs, their battles, their triumphs.

Sound recordist Alex Byng and photographer David White were with John throughout this red-letter day – which anyone can replicate in their own garden, using the Merlin bird ID app to help identify bird songs and confirm sightings.

Includes practical succinct advice on creating an insect-friendly garden, the bedrock of successful wildlife conservation.