Real tweets and twitterers are subject of online study

NATURE-lovers have long gloried in the joys of birdsong, but now scientists plan to find out if it can really lift our spirits.

University of Surrey, the National Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust plan a three-year study to see how birdsong alters people’s mood, attention spans and creative thinking.

It will also compare the effect of listening to birdsong in nature and hearing recordings.

Researcher Eleanor Ratcliffe said: “A great deal of anecdotal evidence suggests that we respond positively to birdsong.

“However, there is a lack of scientific research on the psychological effects.

“A mixture of online questionnaires, laboratory work and field studies will help us to build up a clearer picture.”

National Trust ecologist Peter Brash added: “As a lifelong birder, I’ve always had birdsong as a natural soundtrack to my life and believe it’s good for the mind and soul.”