Our annual Folk Weekend tunes in to the ornithological world. Song traditions of the British Isles are inspired by the relationships that singers have with their environment and the seasons, and many are infused with the sounds and images of birds. From blackbirds to ravens, they are used symbolically to reflect human experience. But, in turn, birds themselves are the inspiration for many musicians, from larks ascending to crying doves. Akin to unsung folk songs, many bird populations are at risk, with severe declines in numbers, from curlews to turtle doves and swifts to swans. Influential performers from across the contemporary folk scene including Eliza Carthy, Martin Simpson, Chris Wood, Miranda Rutter & Rob Harbron and The Wilderness Yet celebrate and shine a spotlight on all things avian: from new songwriting to musical dialogues with birds.