Wildlife Wakes the World

International Dawn Chorus Day 2003

4th April, 2003

Against the silence of the night the solo sound of a song thrush rings out before the beautiful song of the blackbird forms a duet. The powerful wrens, cheerful chaffinches, delicate sparrows and whistling starlings then weave in melodies, sweet enough to rouse the sun.

The Wildlife Trusts’ International Dawn Chorus Day, Sunday 4 May, is an annual celebration of the world’s oldest wake-up call – the dawn chorus. International Dawn Chorus Day was originally conceived by The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and Black Country, one of the 47 Trusts in The Wildlife Trusts' partnership.

Throughout the UK, people with gardens that attract birds are encouraged to wake up early, just after 4am, and hear the dawn chorus from their bedroom window. For those who want to experience the dawn chorus in the wild, The Wildlife Trusts have organised early morning bird walks and dawn chorus breakfasts at a selection of its 2,500 reserves.

This ‘early bird’ wake-up call is a celebration of the beauty of bird song. In the last three decades our songbirds have been in decline due to loss of habitat and intensive farming. The skylark has rapidly fallen in number by 52%, the corn bunting by 84% and the tree sparrow has declined by a staggering 87%.

But why do we have a dawn chorus? A little bird tells us that the male birds sing to protect their territory and to warn off other males. However, after hours of darkness the birds are hungry and as soon as it is light enough to look for food, the dawn chorus comes to a close. So you’ll need to be up with the lark to hear it!

Tune in to the sing-song this International Dawn Chorus Day. For more information on events in your area, please contact The Wildlife Trusts on Tel: 0870 036 7711

Story by Press office

More Information

Dawn Chorus Day Events - also find out about other local Trust events by visiting our Places to visit, Things to do pages

To find out more about our Dawn Chorus birds visit our species database and look under birds.

BBOWT (Beds, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust)
Sunday 4 May at 4:30am
Join the early birds! A walk on the Warburg reserve, near Henley on Thames, to hear the woodland dawn chorus, followed by a cup of tea or coffee in the visitor centre. Booking is essential.
Contact BBOWT on Tel: 01865 775476

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Sunday 4 May at 4am
Early bird walk at Lower Woods. Adult £3, children £2, which includes guided walk and hot drinks. Details of meeting point will be provided on booking. This is a family-friendly event.
Contact Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust on Tel: 01452 383333

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Sunday 4 May at 4.15am
Dawn chorus walk. Meet at Forest View car park at Farley Mount Country park (Map ref. SU 416 292). Leader Julian Moseley. Bring a torch.
Contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on Tel: 02380 613636

Sheffield Wildlife Trust
Sunday 4 May 5am-7am
Dawn chorus event at Sheffield Wildlife Trust's Wyming Brook and Fox Hagg Nature Reserves.
Contact Sheffield Wildlife Trust on Tel: 0114 2634335

Devon Wildlife Trust
Saturday 10 May 5am
Join staff at Halwill Junction, a hidden and quiet nature reserve, for a magical start to the day. Bacon/veggie butty breakfast available for a small charge. Please be ready at the entrance to the reserve at 5am (grid ref SS 443 002). Detailed directions available, booking advisable.
Contact Devon Wildlife Trust on Tel: 01392 279244

Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Sunday 10 May 5.45am
Dawn chorus walk at Ercall Nature Reserve, Wellington. Meet John Tucker at the reserve entrance at 5.45am Directions: Take the Wellington turn off the A5 and go in the direction of Little Wenlock. Follow the signs to the Buckatree Hotel and the reserve entrance is just before (and opposite) the hotel. Grid reference: SJ640 096.
Contact the Shropshire Wildlife Trust on Tel: 01743 284280

Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
Sunday 11 May 6am-8am
Spring birds on Dawn Chorus Day. Come and hear the early morning birds at Portrack Marsh and Maze Park. Meet at The Talpore Pub, near the Tees Barrage, Stockton on Tees. Please book.
Contact Tees Valley Wildlife Trust on 01642 759900.

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