The Dawn Chorus

I got up this Sunday morning early enough to hear the start of the dawn chorus. The Song Thrush began, backed by the local Blackbirds, then Robins and Wrens. A Blue tit joins in with a simple trill, and a Woodpigeon adds his two penny worth too. Their voices merge into a wall of beautiful sound. The effect from my elevated position was that of a crescendo of bird song drifting up to the sky.

Down on the fen, the Cuckoo was in full voice, in the still, cool morning air his song echoed across the reserve. A flurry of silvery notes come from one of my favourite songsters, the Blackcap, and a scratchy buzz followed by a fluty warble gives away a Sedge Warbler’s position in the reeds.

Sedgewarbler040514DM9219

 Whilst there, I also managed to film a Cuckoo singing, take a look here: Cuckoo Singing

 

(Click images to view larger…)

If you like what you see, please consider sharing![social_share/]
UK & Eire Natural History Bloggers

 

Current favourite books, click for more info:




 

Similar Posts

  • Nearly Waxwings!!

    Finally managed to see these stunning birds in Great Yarmouth today. I’ve been trying to see them every winter for several years now and have always missed them. Last weekend was promising having caught a glimpse of a flock of around ten birds flying over the castle in Norwich, but we didn’t manage to catch…

  • Here be Dragons

    Up at sunrise again this morning, I know it’s early at this time of year, but I urge you to do it at least once. Just be still and listen to the dawn chorus, a crescendo of song in the still, cool air. Each individual bird adding it’s voice, a melody from a Blackbird here,…

  • Turtle Dove

    What an absolute privilege to have these birds visiting the garden. I can’t believe after all these years I’ve finally managed to get some photos of one! I decided this afternoon to try photographing them, but I didn’t hold out much hope as they are nervous birds. I settled down, lying on the lawn covered…

  • Exhibition News

    I am very excited to announce that I will be exhibiting my work in Santiago’s Art Café in Botesdale, Suffolk. It’s actually my first exhibition in many, many years, so I’m really looking forward to it. There’s something about seeing photos printed that is so refreshing in our increasingly digital world, and that was one…

  • They’re back!

    Spring has finally sprung down on the Fen. As if someone has flicked a switch, the reedbed is full of birds singing. A Chiffchaff calls from the hedge, a tumble of notes come from an unseen Willow warbler, and the Reed buntings chirp out their simple song from the still frosty reeds. I suddenly hear…

2 Comments

  1. Lovely. I am very fortunate that in being a bad sleeper I hear the dawn chorus every morning. It starts here at about 4.30am (because of the street light I think) and although it is beautiful it is not as exciting as yours. We had a smashing afternoon today at RSPB Lakenheath. They have a new viewpoint and they have been considerate in putting a disabled parking space quite near it so there is only about 30m to walk. We saw 4 Hobbys (together), a nesting pair of Marsh Harriers, Whitethroat (my first), Bitterns Booming & Cuckoos Cuckooing. See you tomorrow. Hope you’re feeling better?

  2. Lovely description of the Dawn Chorus. I have never actually seen a cuckoo before although we are hearing one quite frequently. In April, come he will, in May sing all day, in June changes tune and in July prepares to fly, then in August go he must!

Leave a Reply