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

  • 2026 Calendar

    Exciting news! A friend of mine encouraged me to get a calendar printed, so I did just that! Featuring my favourite images from recent projects, and printed on high quality recycled silk paper, I’m really pleased with how they came out. I only have a few available, so be quick if you’d like one! Available…

  • Grey Seals

    Went to the Norfolk coast to try and photograph the seals this afternoon, seen as the weather person said it would brighten up. Unfortunately it didn’t and it was grey skies all the way. Still, I managed to get a shot of this little beauty, and as always it was amazing to watch and hear…

  • Bee Kind

    Usual Sunday morning chores interrupted today when I noticed a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee sitting on the kitchen windowsill, she must have got stuck indoors the previous evening. She dived into the offered teaspoon of honey, allowing me a photo opportunity. Many people regard bees rather warily, but they are fascinating and important creatures. Bumblebee’s are…

  • First signs of Spring

    All has been rather quiet of late down on the Fen, no meaningful images in the last few weeks, which is somewhat disappointing. Yet there are the first subtle signs of spring all around. On my way there this morning a Skylark rises into the air on trembling wings, belting out his intricate song. On…

  • Painting the sky with birds

    The rush of air in wings, a thousand birds swirling through the sky in perfect synchrony. At this time of year you can witness one of natures most spectacular events as thousands of Starlings flock together to roost in safety. Across the country great clouds of birds gather at dusk, dancing through the sky together…

  • A Very Hungry Caterpillar

    Firstly, apologies again for the blog silence. A number of things have been holding me back recently, not least a bad shoulder injury. (Think: a dog, on lead, and a rabbit, with ‘Carry on dog walking’ style falling over due to the lead wrapped round my legs, all followed by a three hour visit to…

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