A Londoner by birth and residence, John Heath-Stubbs spent his formative years in rural Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. At an early age he learnt to identify birds by their song - hence the title poem - this led to a life-long interest in natural history and science in general not excluding science fiction. A technically brilliant poet, his work can also be playfully irreverent whether about Nelson's statue or the Millenium Dome or nostalgic for the post-war atmosphere of forgotten Soho pubs.