TV Viewpoint: Birdsong

A must-see documentary that soars to new heights

A FEW weeks ago this country and much of the northern hemisphere was collectively enthralled when we were compelled to look skyward as brilliant green flames danced in the heavens. It was a sight to behold and one that left those lucky enough to witness it spellbound.

But if we look closer to home, really look, and listen, it becomes apparent that the nature on our very doorstep can be just as mesmerising as those northern lights.

Ornithologist Seán Ronayne certainly thinks so. He is on a mission to record each one of the almost 200 species of birds in Ireland, from the common garden corvids we see every day to the fulmar of Tory Island. A crew filmed him over the course of a year in his pursuit, which culminated in the lovely, captivating documentary Birdsong, which aired recently on RTE One and is available to stream on the Player, which I really urge you to do.

On one hand I found it profoundly calming, a measured, gorgeously produced meditation on a gentle man and his passion. On the other though, a sense of urgency emerged, to protect these species so important to the ecosystem of which a worrying number are on amber and red lists of peril.

At one point Seán visits Donegal to record the last pair of ring ouzels in the country. It’s at a joy to hear the recording and to watch as he realises he’s got it, as well as being terribly sad. As he put it, it is literally “hearing extinction.” It put me in mind of seeing a star’s light from millions upon millions of miles away, so far that when the light finally reaches Earth the star is long gone.

At another point, he and his partner Alba visit Skellig Michael on an extraordinarily clear summer’s day. Again, Sean’s poetic way with words perfectly captures the majesty of the island, rising from the sea “like a cathedral.” Certainly it was like a religious experience for the couple and I can only imagine the crew too, as they camped overnight close to the ancient beehive huts to capture the sounds of nocturnal birds.

The camera work by wildlife cinematographer Ross Bartley is in itself intensely beautiful, capturing wonderful moments in nature, not least the spectacular, awe inspiring closing scene. Directed by Kathleen Harris, the film is just a stunning piece of work.

What I would have liked to have learned more about is how Seán came to his current path. His childhood is touched upon by his loving parents, who recall his early preoccupation with nature and particular birds and his recent autism diagnosis is for him a welcome revelation, explaining his focused behaviour and sensitivity to noise and arming him with tools to help him in the social aspects of life.

But how he got to this point in his career is left vague, which I found a pity, as I would not be surprised if many young people’s interests in our bird population are piqued as a result of his quiet but persuasive enthusiasm. We do see him perform engaging and lively lectures for communities across the country, which gives some clue as to how he makes his living.

However that is a small, insignificant quibble in the grand scheme of the documentary, which ends with the most magnificent footage of a starling murmuration in Westmeath. It is almost overwhelming in its otherworldliness – the veritable silence that accompanies it is eerie, and sublime.

In this writer’s opinion, it rivals the aurora borealis in its splendour; it’s a sheer magic and wonder of our world. I didn’t get to witness the lights when they were visible over this country last month, but I did see them in Svalbard, the most northern inhabited place on the planet.

It is there that it is kept the Seed Vault, which is a secure back up for the world’s crop diversity. As the planet declines thanks to the climate crisis, its very existence is a stark reminder of what is at stake. Our birds are at risk as well for the same reason and this documentary serves as a timely reminder that a commune with nature is not only healing, but potentially life saving.

First published in The Tuam Herald on 05 06 24