Latest news with #InternationalDawnChorusDay
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits mesmerised by outlandish bird in gardens after 'deadly rivalries' exposed
Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for the pink hoopoe - a bird with pink plumage, chequerboard wings and a fancy crest that can be spotted in the UK as the mercury rises Nature lovers have every right to feel tickled pink this spring. Candyfloss sunsets and dazzling cherry blossom extravaganzas have left the countryside glowing as if viewed through rose-tinted binoculars. Yet if anything is going to leave birdwatchers blushing with pride, it will be discovering a scarce visitor that outshines Barbie when looking pretty in pink. The hoopoe is one of the most recognisable birds on the planet with its outlandish raspberry yoghurt plumage accentuated by chequerboard wings and fancy crest. Such is its illustriousness, the hoopoe has appeared on more postage stamps than any other bird and the ancient Egyptians used its distinctive profile as a hieroglyph. Many a holidaymaker to the Mediterranean has been mesmerised by sight of a hoopoe strutting around hotel gardens or flapping across an olive grove on butterfly-like wings. Each year, a few score overshoot Iberian nesting grounds and arrive in the UK, often turning up in picture postcard villages to the delight of birders and non-birdwatchers, alike. A myth that has developed over the years is that the best places to find hoopoes are vicarage lawns, the manicured swards perfect to probe for grubs with their long, decurved bills. Midsomer Murder script writers homed in on such bucolic scenes with the Case of the Blue-crested Hoopoe that sparked deadly rivalries among members the Midsomer-in-the-Marsh Ornithological Society. No such need for murder 'most fowl' this spring with its deluge of hoopoe sightings the length and breadth of the British Isles. High pressure and southerly winds over the Bay Biscay in late March fanned a mass arrival likely to number more than 200 birds, including counts of at least nine individuals on the Isles of Scilly. Such an influx has heightened hopes that hoopoes will repeat their 2023 breeding success when three young were raised at a secret location in Leicestershire. With only 30 reported instances of nesting since the 1830s, the sight of more hoopoe fledglings will leave us all feeling in the pink … Can you identify these songbirds in your garden? Don't despair if International Dawn Chorus Day slipped by last week (May 4) without having a chance to immerse yourself in nature's great symphony. This annual celebration held on the first Sunday in May should be regarded as merely the introduction to a joyous season when birdwatchers rest their binoculars to become enthralled listeners. Over coming weeks, the countryside will throb to the songs of thrushes, chats and finches declaring territories under the rising sun. Baritone blackbirds and top tenor nightingales will stand out as virtuoso performers. Yet ask any birdsong purist and it is the orchestral manoeuvres of warblers in the semi darkness that bring the dawn chorus experience to a sensory crescendo. Spring walks through a tapestry of wetlands, woods and scrub can be accompanied by the songs of up to ten species of warbler, belying their dowdy plumages with golden voices. Some, like closely-related reed and sedge warblers, create identification challenges as they chatter away incessantly hour after hour as if on diets of fizzy sweets. Listen carefully and the repeated 'churrs' of the reed warbler help separate it from its jazzier cousin. In damp thickets, the explosive song of the Cetti's warbler is unmistakable and is said to have inspired Mozart to write the opening bars of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Chiffchaff and willow warbler, along with common and lesser whitethroats, are species pairs found around woodland fringes that create visual identification puzzles, although their songs are strikingly different. The chiffchaff sings its name, while the willow warbler has a sweet, descending cadence. Scrub-loving common whitethroats produce a dry, scratchy warble compared to the plain rattle of its smaller relative. Grasshopper warblers have taken rattling to a new level by producing an insect-like trill that reminds you of a fishing reel. For me, the supreme choristers are two of the plainest members of the warbler clan. The blackcap has a thrush-like quality to its voice while the garden warbler's song is full of mimicked notes purloined during its travels between Europe and Africa.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to do one important thing this month to ensure great joy
It is the time of year for bird watchers to put down their binoculars and start listening, as the countryside starts to ring with birdsong Don't despair if International Dawn Chorus Day slipped by this morning without having a chance to immerse yourself in nature's great symphony. This annual celebration held on the first Sunday in May should be regarded as merely the introduction to a joyous season when birdwatchers rest their binoculars to become enthralled listeners. Over coming weeks, the countryside will throb to the songs of thrushes, chats and finches declaring territories under the rising sun. Baritone blackbirds and top tenor nightingales will stand out as virtuoso performers. Yet ask any birdsong purist and it is the orchestral manoeuvres of warblers in the semi darkness that bring the dawn chorus experience to a sensory crescendo. Spring walks through a tapestry of wetlands, woods and scrub can be accompanied by the songs of up to ten species of warbler, belying their dowdy plumages with golden voices. Some, like closely-related reed and sedge warblers, create identification challenges as they chatter away incessantly hour after hour as if on diets of fizzy sweets. Listen carefully and the repeated 'churrs' of the reed warbler help separate it from its jazzier cousin. In damp thickets, the explosive song of the Cetti's warbler is unmistakable and is said to have inspired Mozart to write the opening bars of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Chiffchaff and willow warbler, along with common and lesser whitethroats, are species pairs found around woodland fringes that create visual identification puzzles, although their songs are strikingly different. The chiffchaff sings its name, while the willow warbler has a sweet, descending cadence. Scrub-loving common whitethroats produce a dry, scratchy warble compared to the plain rattle of its smaller relative. Grasshopper warblers have taken rattling to a new level by producing an insect-like trill that reminds you of a fishing reel. For me, the supreme choristers are two of the plainest members of the warbler clan. The blackcap has a thrush-like quality to its voice while the garden warbler's song is full of mimicked notes purloined during its travels between Europe and Africa. Blackbirds may sometimes sing in the dead of night but to be truly enchanted by their silvery voices then listen out as the sun rises. Of all the songbirds exulting International Dawn Chorus Day today, those baritone solos delivered by blackbirds from lofty perches backlit by the first morning rays will ring supreme. Individual males can have repertoires of more than 30 verses, each three or four seconds long and filled with melodious notes to declare his territory and sound reveille over suburbia. Bach, Beethoven and the Beatles all adopted the blackbird as a musical muse and, today, many regard its refrains a dependable alarm clock for an uplifting way to start the day. How to help blackbirds today Each year, the song becomes a little more subdued as blackbird populations in town and country recede. This year's RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch noted a 46% drop in mid-winter sightings since the nationwide survey began in 1979, a statistic mirrored by the 19% decline in breeding numbers over the past seven decades. Increasingly, I see gardens being concreted over for car parking spaces or turned into plasticised dead zones rather than tended lovingly for plants and wildlife. This must be having an impact on blackbird numbers. Another existential threat beckons from a new quarter – the arrival of a mosquito-borne virus that can be fatal to blackbirds. Usutu virus originates from South Africa but was detected in London in 2020 when blackbird numbers in the capital were already in decline The British Trust for Ornithology recently identified a national blackbird divide, noting how those in the north are faring better than their London counterparts. BTO scientists are asking nature lovers to help them explore the spread of Usutu virus by signing up for the Blackbirds in Gardens survey. This will help researchers understand how blackbirds use garden types differently as well as highlighting disease transmission risks. The study will also provide data on how successfully young blackbirds are raised at different levels in rural and urban gardens. For more details see
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
On International Dawn Chorus Day, how does the weather affect birdsong?
The dawn chorus is one of nature's greatest concerts. There's something calming and magical about waking up to the sound of birdsong - a timeless signal that the day has begun. Sunday 4 May is International Dawn Chorus Day and it's celebrated by people around the world who rise early to appreciate this natural can the weather have an impact what we hear? Why do we love birdsong? Scientists believe that the sound of birds singing makes humans feel safe. The soaring melodies are a reassuring sign that all is well in the environment. When birds fall silent, it can indicate that bad weather is on the way, or that a predator is nearby, meaning the absence of birdsong can feel unsettling - even if we don't consciously realise why. What impact does the weather have? Still, dry mornings are the best to hear the chorus in all its glory. Even during a quiet, steady drizzle, most species will sing much as usualBut according to Daniel Johnson, from the British Trust for Ornithology:"Birds tend to avoid singing in bad weather conditions. This includes windy, rainy or cloudy conditions as during these times they're usually low down conserving energy"A study, external carried out by researchers in the USA also showed that exposure to high temperatures can reduce song production. When is the best time to hear the down chorus? The best time to listen is around 30 minutes before and after sunrise, when birds are most active. On Sunday 4 May 2025, sunrise in the UK ranges from around 05:22 BST in Edinburgh to 05:39 in Cardiff and Belfast, so the ideal time to hear the chorus is roughly between 04:50 and 05:50. You can find out the sunrise and sunset times for where you live on the BBC Weather website or and robins are usually the first to sing, followed by wrens, thrushes, and warblers as the light increases. Why do birds singDawn Chorus: The Sounds of Spring Three easy ways to enjoy the dawn chorus Whether you're heading outdoors or staying cosy at home, there are lots of simple ways to enjoy the dawn chorus this year:1. Open your windowYou don't have to go far, just crack open a window and let the birdsong in. Even in towns and cities, you'll be surprised at what you can hear.2. Take a walkIf you can, head out to your local park, woodland or green space for a peaceful early stroll. The quiet of dawn lets you hear each bird clearly.3. Tune in onlineThe Wildlife Trust and other nature groups often stream the dawn chorus live, so you can enjoy it wherever you are. Just search Dawn Chorus Live Stream on the morning of the event. And don't forget to share your you capture a special early morning view, upload it to BBC Weather Watchers —we love seeing your photos and might even feature them on our site or TV bulletins. And of course don't forget to check the weather where you are. For the most up to date information, check the hour-by-hour forecast where you live on the BBC Weather website or app.
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Celebrate the 2025 Dawn Chorus this weekend
Set your alarm, open a window, and experience the world as it wakes this Sunday, 4 May. From midnight to 7am, RTÉ will be hosting one of the most enchanting and educational broadcasts of the year: RTÉ's live Dawn Chorus. Perfect for nature lovers, early risers, and curious minds, International Dawn Chorus Day will be celebrated through seven hours of uninterrupted birdsong, insights, and music on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ lyric fm. At the heart of this beloved broadcast is Mooney Goes Wild, RTÉ's long-running nature series that has, for three decades, deepened our national appreciation of the natural world. What began as a creative radio experiment has evolved into Ireland's most ambitious and unique celebration of the natural world—a shared experience that links listeners across the country (and the globe) through the voices of birds at daybreak. Led by presenter Derek Mooney, this year's broadcast will once again centre on BirdWatch Ireland's Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve in Cobh, Co Cork, where presenters Jim Wilson and Niall Hatch will describe the dawn's unfolding in real time. Mooney will host from RTÉ's Dublin studios, guiding us through this auditory journey as birds begin to stir and sing with the rising sun. Meanwhile, long-time contributors Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Eric Dempsey, and Terry Flanagan will beam in from locations across Ireland, capturing local choruses and offering expert commentary on the voices of nature as they emerge. As the first birds warm up around 4am, RTÉ lyric fm adds a musical dimension to the morning's soundscape: Aedín Gormley (Aedín in the Afternoon) delves into the music library to reflect on how composers and songwriters have been inspired by birds and bird song. Lorcan Murray (Lorcan Murray's Classic Drive) brings bird-themed compositions, reflecting his deep appreciation of the links between music and the natural world. Áine Gallagher contributes a meditative set inspired by his Ambient Orbit series, fusing birdsong and ambient textures for a period of sonic calm.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Somerset nature reserve to hold guided dawn chorus walks
The RSPB is celebrating International Dawn Chorus Day with guided walks at Ham Wall nature reserve. Walks will be held every Sunday throughout May, from 6am to 8.30am, with the first event on Sunday, May 4 coinciding with the day itself. The event aims to help people enjoy "nature's biggest free symphony" as birds wake up across Somerset. Tickets for the guided walks are priced at £11 for adult RSPB members and £13.50 for non-members, with discounted rates for children. Pre-booking is essential and can be done via The RSPB has teamed up with RNID to ensure those with hearing loss can also enjoy the experience. Crystal Rolfe, director of health at RNID, said: "Many people with untreated hearing loss say that birdsong is one of the sounds they miss out on most. "A quick and easy first-step is to take the free RNID online hearing check." The RSPB and RNID have provided tips for making the most of the dawn chorus, including using bird identification apps and engaging all the senses to experience the early morning. They also recommend exploring the latest hearing aid technology for those concerned about their hearing. Morwenna Alldis from the RSPB described the dawn walks as "a multisensory nature-wow moment for everyone." She added: "Being out in nature early feels special, almost sacred."
