Directed by Kathleen Harris, ornithologist Seán Ronayne from Cobh, Co. Cork is on a mission to record the sound of every bird species in Ireland – that’s nearly 200 birds.
It’s endlessly enjoyable to watch someone who is filled with enthusiasm and dedication, and it feels like that gets elevated slightly higher when it involves nature. Combining the passion with a beautiful backdrop is a recipe for a successful documentary, and Kathleen Harris took advantage of that. Harris creates a vehicle to portray how much Seán Ronayne cares about birds and not just the love of their species but their preservation.
That’s undoubtedly one of the strengths of Birdsong, creating a mixture of exploring Ronayne’s pursuit of the ultimate Irish bird audio library but also lets him elaborate on the need for better conservation efforts. As well as highlighting how little untouched land there is left for various species to thrive. It allows the documentary to become not solely about one man but the bigger landscape of life for the species of Ireland. Especially the idea that educating yourself on and viewing some species in nature may be an impossible task when they could go extinct before you get there.
Another unexpected strength is how Harris explores Ronayne’s relationship with his partner. How this passion initially put up roadblocks but led to strengthening their connection. It adds a sweetness to Birdsong, which fits in well with its wholesome atmosphere. One much more expected strength would be the visuals, there’s a lovely serene quality to a lot of the shots in nature. Harris also captures some spectacular moments, leaving the best till last to really drive home the beauty of nature and wonder that birds can bring.
Birdsong is exactly what you’d expect, it’s caring and compassionate, exploring a story of true dedication and enthusiasm. It’s always a positive experience to watch that kind of intense excitement. Harris does well to layer the documentary, to make it personal but also explore the bigger picture of the natural landscape of Ireland. Unsurprisingly there are some fantastic shots on offer and they’re blended very well with the film’s intimate side.
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