Dawn Chorus (Sedge Warbler singing at dawn): (c) Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Dawn Chorus
Listen to the dawn chorus
Dawn Chorus recorded in Montgomeryshire; (c) Martin Neil
The early bird might catch the worm, but the early riser is treated to one of nature’s most uplifting spectacles: the dawn chorus, that early morning symphony as birds use their vocal prowess to vie for a mate.
Starting in late winter, the dawn chorus builds with the arrival of spring and reaches a crescendo around May (International Dawn Chorus Day falls on the first Sunday in May) when the summer breeders return.
Depending on whereabouts you live and what sort of landscape surrounds you, you might experience just a few birds such as Blackbird, Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tit singing at once, or you might be lucky enough to have more of the choir in attendance and the noise might be more like a cacophony of sound with Wren, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Song Thrush and Warbler all joining the fray as they jostle for attention.
Life-affirming as the dawn chorus is, the birds aren’t singing for us. This auditory display is all about defending breeding territories and either retaining or attracting mates. Since such loud, complex songs take energy, taking part in this morning ritual sends a strong message that a bird is healthy and resilient – and therefore a fearsome opponent or a desirable partner.
Regardless of the function behind it, the dawn chorus is one of the highlights in nature’s calendar and well worth getting up early for!