Acoustic Mirror, Sunderland
A system of acoustic sound mirrors, like this one at Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, was built along the East Coast to provide early warning of German airships and aircraft. (IoE391535)
A system of acoustic sound mirrors, like this one at Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, was built along the East Coast to provide early warning of German airships and aircraft. (IoE391535)

Robin Romance On the Up Thanks to Historic Sound Structures

Hope you enjoyed our April Fool's, please see our story below.

The love life of the nation’s best-loved bird has been given an unlikely boost by the remains of historic wartime structures along our coastlines.

Built during the First World War, acoustic mirrors provided an early warning system for air attacks and a number are now listed due to their historic significance.

Clever robins have realised, when stood close enough, the curves of these early concrete sound sensors are perfect projectors for their own mating calls. The song-loving birds have been witnessed using the structures to tweet to potential distant dates. This has been attracting mates from further afield and early indications are pointing to a positive impact on local robin populations.

Historic England has been working with local environmental and bird-watching groups to identify and potentially List more of the historic hailers as a result.

Also of interest

First World War: Anti-Aircraft Sites
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