Sunday 3 May is International Dawn Chorus Day, a day to appreciate one of nature’s most special auditory spectacles. Take an early morning walk in spring and you are likely to be captivated by the sound of the dawn chorus.
We are hosting events across Essex so you can experience the dawn chorus while it is at its peak.
In the breeding season, birds use their singing abilities to defend their territory and attract a mate. The dawn chorus begins in the twilight as the sun begins to emerge. At this notice of a new day ahead, songbirds burst into a symphony of whistles, chirps and trills. In the northern hemisphere, the chorus is performed mainly by male birds in the passerine group.
Several theories have been proposed to explain why birds sing most intensely at dawn, despite the competition:
Using time wisely. Although birds are active at dawn, there is not enough light at this time to forage, so they use this period to sing for a mate until the light returns.
Female fertility. During the breeding season, female birds lay one egg every 24 hours at dawn and are at their most fertile up to two hours following laying. It is vital to her partner that he is present at this time, so the dawn song may act as a paternity assurance, and guards against neighbouring males seeking to steal their mate.
The best acoustics. Sound travels better at this time of day. At dawn, a microclimate occurs that improves the transmission of song, including decreased wind speed and warmer air above woodland canopies.
Defending territories. Males use singing as a tactic to establish dominance and territorial boundaries.
Although most species contribute to the chorus, the symphony builds as time goes on, as different birds join the chorus at different times. Nightingale, robin, song thrush, and blackbird all begin singing an hour or more before sunrise. As light levels increase, they are joined by wren, blackcap, chiffchaff and great tit, before late singers such as chaffinch finally make their entrance. Eventually, the chorus peaks and the cacophony of birds singing unifies to become a single, extraordinary, song.
The dawn chorus starts around 30 minutes to an hour before sunrise, which may be as early as 5am in late spring.
1) West Wood nature reserve, 2) Brookes nature reserve, 3) Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, 4) Weeleyhall Wood nature reserve, 5) Tiptree Heath nature reserve, 6) Scrubs Wood nature reserve, 7) Pound Wood nature reserve, 8) Belfairs Wood
If you aren't an early riser, you can listen to a recording of a local dawn chorus from the comfort of your home. Listen closely to this recording from West Wood nature reserve, and you'll hear wren, blackbird, song thrush, woodpigeon, treecreeper, pheasant, robin, blackcap, great tit, and chiffchaff! Use headphones for the ultimate experience.
Dawn chorus at West Wood (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtRubJ6s7N4&t=75s)
Dawn chorus recording from West Wood nature reserve.
