AS SKYLARKS SANG OVER THE TRENCHES: ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM THE WESTERN FRONT: 1914-18

Even during the all-too-frequent horror of the First World War, many soldiers remained alert to the birds that shared with them the din and clamour of the battlefield. Skylarks, nightingales, blackbirds, icterine warblers, whitethroat, kestrels, swifts, swallows, little owls and numerous other species were both watched and heard, often with fascination and wonder. The presence of birds often brought a sense of comfort amid scenes of devastation. Some ornithologically-minded soldiers even managed to keep records of the species they encountered and were able to submit bird-related news reports and articles to newspapers and magazine. At war's end, the various contributions were collated, most notably by Hugh Gladstone, a Scotsman, but also by many other observers. The wide-ranging wealth of material makes for fascinating reading.