Musical Moments

Birdsong is undervalued. I'm always surprised to find that there aren't more people out in the woods and open spaces experiencing this free concert every year. Outside M&S in Sheffield City Center is a busking trumpet player. A trumpet is quite a loud instrument, but this man has alongside him two large speakers. Beside them is an even larger amplifier to drive the speakers. To power the amplifier he has a generator chugging away. What on earth does he think he's doing? Is present day music making only judged by the quantity of equipment you need to produce it? In comparison the skylark on Blacka Moor sings freely and beautifully with only his own musical sense and the clear air to project it. And no contributions demanded bar simple respect and admiration . Among the trees the warblers are everywhere.

Willow warblers have been singing for a week or more but now the superior tone quality and improvisation of the blackcap is starting to assert itself.

The cuckoo's call is hardly a song but welcome all the same. He's letting any females know he's available. The one flying over Lenny Hill at 7 a.m. had struck the right note because a female was flying just a few yards behind anxious to test his credentials. We turned aside to admire the blossom.