Irish Examiner view: World's bird numbers are in sharp decline

Swallow flying low over a sandy beach.

Last Sunday— the first in May as it always is — we celebrated International Dawn Chorus Day which is now marked in 80 countries since its launch in Birmingham, England, more than 40 years ago.

This event encourages nature lovers to rise at 4am on the same day each year and listen and record the sounds of birds as they welcome the rising sun. In an increasingly complex world, it is a simple, life-affirming refrain we can all share.