Birds, at night?

[boink]

Hi, i was just wondering, why ever night between 1 and 2/3 do birds start singing? ive never noticed it before, they also seem to go away again after this time, so any thoughts would be great

[grizzly bear]

I have heard blackbirds singing at 3am all this year even in the winter. I used to think it was just because it got lighter in the summer mornings earlier but I would be interested to know why too.

[bensmum]

Do you have any artificial lighting nearby ?(street lights etc). Robins particularly will sing at all times if there is light around. I don't have any such lighting near me so I don't hear birds at night here but I have heard them in other parts.

[Cetti]

It is usually artificial light that triggers singing during the hours of darkness, but not always, as I heard a Blackbird singing in an area that was devoid of any such light only last week.

This time of year however, you will hear juvenile males practising their singing before they come into the spotlight for the first time in the spring. Usually they warble a few notes, then stop as if deeply embarrassed at their own efforts before attempting a few more notes. It can sound hilarious especially if they are hiding deep inside a hedge, but for them it's deadly serious.