WHAT more spring-like scene could there be than a hungry thrush springing around for worms in a circle of crocuses just sprung up from the ground?

Ok, so it's still February, but at this time of year one needs to feel the warmer times are just around the corner.

This heartwarming shot was taken by the Oxford Mail Camera Club's own Anthony Morris of Farmoor.

The bird in question is a song thrush – one of Britain's commonest birds, but still one that has seen its population plummet by 50 per cent since 1970.

The cause, as with most species declines in this country in the past century, is loss of habitat, and particularly the hedgerows and wet ditches on farmland where it loves to feed.

Increasing intensification of farming practices throughout the 20th century have seen hedges torn up and wet ditches dried out and filled in to create more space to grow crops.

The thrush and his fans, then, might be among those feeling cautiously optimistic about Environment Secretary Michael Gove's promise at the Oxford Farming Conference last month that he will replace EU farming subsidies with grants for environmentally-friendly projects, including restoring wildlife habitat. That would be something to sing about.