The first Sunday of May is International Dawn Chorus day, a worldwide celebration of the spring symphony of birdsong. Dawn Chorus day is celebrated in early May as this is when the songsters are really giving it their best and the chorus is at its maximum.

What is the Dawn Chorus?

The dawn chorus is a symphony of bird song that happens each spring and peaks in early May. Birds looking for love and fiercely defending their patch welcome the start of the day with their song. The chorus starts in march and can continue into the early summer but to experience at its best, early May is the time to set the alarm. This is the time of the year when most birds will be singing and spring migrant birds will have joined our resident species in song.

Why do birds sing in the morning?

Birds sing to defend their territory and to attract a mate. They sing will throughout the day, however, there are many reasons why our feathered friends sing in the morning. One is that the morning air is still and quiet so their songs will travel further. It has been shown that birdsong can travel 20 times further at dawn! A morning song will also tell other rival birds that they have survived the night and are still defending their patch. Before the sun rises, there isn’t enough light for them to forage and look for food so will instead put their efforts into singing.

I get to the entrance of the woods just before 5:00am. It’s dark and chilly but there is a sense of excitement and adventure in the air as the first birds start singing. The sweet tunes of robins are joined by the tuneful whistles of the blackbird and the repeating calls of the song thrush combine with loud bursts from the wren. Before long, the woodland is alive with the sound of birdsong. I find a mossy tree stump and sit down to enjoy the show.

By 6:30, the sun was up and the volume of the chorus was fading. As I headed back to the flat, excited to get back into bed, I felt like I had experienced something truly special and was feeling very glad I had made the effort.

Here’s some tips on how you can get the most out of your dawn chorus experience:

• You can enjoy it anywhere but woods or areas with mature trees are best. Don’t fancy leaving the house? You could even just stick your head out the window!
   
• Set the alarm – You want to be in position by around 5:00am
   
• Check the weather – A still, dry morning will be best
   
• Wrap up warm!
   
• Pack some snacks and a warm flask of tea or coffee
   
• Sit back and enjoy the show!

If you get out and enjoy the dawn chorus this weekend, let us know!  

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