Early to bed, early to rise it’s Dawn Chorus Day tomorrow

blackcap (credit: ahisgett)

I have to admit that sometimes I get International Day overload. Every day is some sort of International Day of celebration or awareness. For my own sanity I tend to ignore most of them. There is one though I always look forward to and that is the International Dawn Chorus Day.

This years day takes place tomorrow morning. As the best bird song is heard early morning just after sun rise it means an early rise to hear the birds. Sadly there’s no organised events close to where I live so I’m spending the weekend in Devon with some friends and we’ll be up at 4.00am tomorrow morning and heading to the local woods.

Find a local Dawn Chorus event.

It really is a great event to take part in and across the country Wildlife Trusts will be running a series of events for you to join. Use their event finders with the Dawn Chorus filter to find one that’s closest to you. I’d also check with your local Wildlife Trust to see if they have anything organised – I’m pretty sure the events database does not include all the Dawn Chorus events going on. When I worked for one of the Wildlife Trusts – admittedly a few years ago – there were a lot more events than are currently being advertised and I don’t believe that event numbers would have dropped by such a large amount. So if you don’t see an event go and check on your local Wildlife Trust web site for more local bird walks.

You could also try and look for local events on the International Dawn Chorus Day web site – this is a useful resource if you are outside the UK and looking for an event to join in.

Many song birds have arrived back early.

I have a feeling that this years Dawn Chorus Day will be a bumper one. A lot of the song birds have come back a little earlier than normal – they certainly have in Wales – and there seem to be a lot more of them than last year. Speaking to my friends they pretty much agree that this is also the situation in Devon. The woods really will be full of life so get out and enjoy this special time of year as birds sing to find their mates and to establish their territories. Even if it’s just an early morning walk in the park or walk along a canal you will be able to enjoy the birdsong before the morning traffic and noise starts.

Paul Wilkinson, head of Living Landscape for The Wildlife Trusts, said “It’s not often we are able to actually hear the startling variety of wildlife that surrounds us, and the trials it faces. The dawn chorus takes place as birds are singing to attract a mate, or to defend territory, with each day bringing a new struggle for survival.

“On International Dawn Chorus Day we can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, but also take time to reflect on the role we can all play in protecting it. This might be through turning our own gardens into wildlife havens, helping to create A Living Landscape or by becoming a member of a local Wildlife Trust.”

British dawn chorus are the best.

Bill Oddie, Vice President of The Wildlife Trusts, explains ”During my life I have experienced the dawn chorus all over the world. Africa, India, Australia, North and South America, various parts of Europe and so on. The sounds have been wondrous and various, and the atmosphere has often been magical, but you know what? If I want to experience the best dawn chorus of them all, all I have to do is stay right here, in Britain. Of course, International Dawn Chorus Day isn’t some kind of avian song contest, but let’s face it, British birds are unbeatable!”

I have to agree with Bill Oddie on this, there really is no better bird chorus than that heard on an early morning spring day in Britain. It’s something I’ll miss but obviously I’m looking forward to exploring the rain forest birds once I emigrate. This is my last British Dawn Chorus Day and i hope it’s going to be a real good one. The weather is looking good and the number and diversity of birds already here is looking good so i have no doubts that tomorrow morning is going to be a really special time.