The breeding season is now over for many birds. Some of those surviving this period of extreme activity will have been successful in their efforts to produce more birds of their kind.

Individual species have followed their own special patterns. Some migrated from far away countries to find their corner, while others remained close to where they were born.

They used their own methods of marking territorial limits, sang their own songs, and followed their own special courtship displays to attract partners.

Their nests were built in appropriate situations and furnished with individual touches.

The young were fed with suitable foods and eventually launched into the world at the appropriate times, facing a variety of threats, to join the race for the survival of their species.

The incredible variety of methods used by breeding birds has always caused interest.

Oxford was the focus of many attempts in the second half of the 19th century to gain greater understanding. David Lack’s pioneering book The Life of the Robin was published in 1943 and was based on a four-year study.

This brought new and startling facts to light and was immediately a best seller.

Lack’s work that followed at the Edward Grey Institute in Oxford promoted several similar surveys including famous studies of great tits at Wytham Woods, and swifts at the tower of the Oxford University Museum.

These are still continuing today to provide ever more awareness of their lifestyles.

David Snow was fortunate enough to have David Lack as his tutor and DPhil supervisor in Oxford when he wrote a classic account of blackbirds. His book, A Study of Blackbirds, was based on the small group of blackbirds that lived at the Botanic Garden from 1953 to 1956. It was well received and remained in print for many years.

My garden birds have given great delight in recent weeks. We will miss their songs, but expect them now to have a period when they will be less bold and conspicuous.