Scientists to investigate human benefits of birdsong

A new three year research project that will look into the impact of birdsong on our brain and behaviour is being launched today by the University of Surrey in partnership with the National Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust.

The project will explore the psychological impact of being exposed to the sound of birdsong, including its effects on our mood, attention and levels of creativity. 

The research aims to increase understanding of the benefits of spending time in nature and will use studies in the field, laboratory and online to gather data from a broad slice of the population in rural and urban locations.  

Researchers will also investigate whether there is any difference between listening to recorded birdsong compared to hearing birds in their natural environment.

It will also rank whether there is any difference in listening to different types of birds sing.

Eleanor Ratcliffe, who will be carrying out the research at University of Surrey, said: “A great deal of anecdotal evidence suggests that we respond positively to birdsong. However, currently there is a lack of scientific research on the psychological effects of listening to birds.

“A mixture of online questionnaires, laboratory work and field studies at National Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust sites will help us to build up a clearer picture of how and why birdsong can be of psychological benefit.”

The research project is being funded by the Economic and Social Research Council with further funding from the National Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust. 

Peter Brash, National Trust ecologist, said: “As a lifelong birder I've always had birdsong as a natural soundtrack to my life and believe it's good for the mind and soul. 

“Birdsong gets us closer to nature and links people to places and memories in a way that few other sounds can. 

“It's a simple pleasure that most of us can enjoy, even if we live in towns and cities.”

Andrew Jamieson, Countryside Services Manager at Surrey Wildlife Trust, said: "We know that Surrey Wildlife Trust members and visitors to our nature reserves get so much from experiencing wildlife at first hand. 

“Hearing bird song is a big part of that - just the sound of a skylark on a spring day can really lift the spirits.