We meet at dawn

Ellie Sherlock investigates the early morning magic of the dawn chorus and meets some of its characters.

If winter is the time for hitting snooze, thick duvets and comfort food, then spring is all early mornings and bright green smoothies.

And whilst many of us may still be clinging to the pillows, our songbirds are certainly making the most of the new season.

The twinkling early morning medley of the dawn chorus, which rises earlier even than the sun, is actually a war cry carried far across the still air, rising in a dramatic crescendo in May. This is the males, defending their territory and demonstrating their fitness. This is the song of survival. It starts with a robin.

It is usually the chirpy, high-pitched whistles and warbles of the robin that signal the start of the chorus, and, in more built-up areas artificial lighting, from a nearby streetlight may even trigger singing to begin in the middle of the night.

Blackbirds quickly join robins, adding their richer, flutey tones to the harmony. Other birds too begin to take to the stage – listen for the repeated musical phrases of the song thrush, the bright trill of the tiny wren, and the descending scale of notes expertly created by the chaffinch.

As the chorus builds, the characteristic "tea-cher, tea-cher" call of the great tit can be heard, joined also by the elongated verses of the blackcap, hesitant at first, then building in confidence towards the end, a song so sweet it is often mistaken for that of a nightingale.

The chiffchaff, a bird so named for its song (and which should probably be re-named to "chiff-choff-chaff" to more accurately describe the sound) sings its staccato notes in random order to the rising sun.

Some of the last to join the chorus include the dunnock, greenfinch, and goldfinch. All of these calls have speed in common, as though rushed by a mutual sense of urgency to be a part of the show. Whilst the goldfinch’s song is described as tinkling, the greenfinch lets out a nasal, lively trill, and the dunnock squeaks a high-pitched ditty.

Did you know there is also a dusk chorus?

Generally considered a more subdued affair, the dusk chorus features birds such as tree sparrows and blue tits, which seem to prefer to sing in the evening.

By now, about half an hour after sunrise, the chorus gradually fades and empty bellies begin to grumble for breakfast.

This spring I challenge you to wake early and head out to the garden or your local park half an hour before sunrise.

Choose a fine, clear day between late April and early June, pack a blanket, perhaps some binoculars, and a flask of hot coffee, and let the birds serenade you from your slumber.

YOUR LAPWING TEAM...

MEGAN KELSALL Partnerships Officer

STEVE GARLAND

Former Chair of Trustees

JENNY JOHNSON

Head of Marketing and Income Generation

ALAN WRIGHT

Head of Campaigns and Communications

JENNY BENNION

Peatlands Communications Officer

LOUISE BENTLEY

Swift expert and member of LWT speaker team

LUCY COXHEAD

Membership Recruitment Officer

ANDREW MATHER

Myplace Project Officer

ELLIE SHERLOCK Campaigns and Communications Officer

MATTHEW SWIFT Marketing Officer

MOLLY TOAL

Lunt Meadows Communications and Engagement Officer

KIRSTY TYLER

Nature & Wellbeing Communications Officer

ALICE WOOD

Marketing Support Officer