Dawn Chorus

Early birds

The dawn chorus begins an hour or so before sunrise and can continue for an hour afterwards. It can be heard from March through to July and is at its peak in May, after the main arrivals of summer visitors.

Birds such as song thrush, blackbird and robin start to sing earlier in the chorus than smaller, insect eating birds, such as the wren and warblers, like chiffchaffs and blackcaps. The order they join in is thought to be related to the size of the birds' eyes, those with larger eyes can see better in lower light levels so are the first to be heard.

Singing together

Male songbirds sing to proclaim their territories and attract mates. But why do they sing together in the morning? Not all the reasons are understood, but it seems that the birds take advantage of conditions that help good sound quality.

In the spring and summer the air is often still at dawn, a layer of colder air can form beneath, warming upper layers and there is less noise from other sources. Birds may also use the time to sing when they are not able to feed easily. It is more difficult to detect food when it is darker and insects move about less when it is cold.

Where to enjoy it

You can hear the dawn chorus in many different places. Woodland and parkland, where there are more types of songbirds, are good places to visit. But it can also be heard in towns and gardens. Clear, calm mornings are best. Ideally, position yourself away from roads and keep quiet.

Why not get up with the lark one morning to hear it for yourself? You could visit the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Askham Bog reserve near York, Forge Valley near Scarborough or Dalby Forest, where the Forestry Commission organises dawn chorus walks. Don’t forget to wrap up warmly.

Or, if there isn’t too much traffic in your area, you may be able to hear it from your bed!

Rob Chapman
British Trust for Ornithology Regional Representative, Yorkshire (York) Region