THE DAWN CHORUS
The Dawn Chorus is the collective sound of all the birds that sing at dawn. It usually refers to those sounds made by birds that sing during the breeding season, which for most birds in Ireland is between late March and the beginning of July. The dawn chorus is usually associated with woodland birds but it can be heard everywhere. Each habitat has its own distinctive "chorus members".
The dawn chorus never ceases. It moves, with the early morning light, like a great wave on the face of the Earth. At this moment, somewhere in the world, the birds are waking up and bursting into song. Our ancestors, from time immemorial, awoke to this sound. Bird songs were, for countless millennia, part of everyday life.
Each year, in May, International Dawn Chorus Day seeks to remind us of the beauty of that birdsong.
Dawn Chorus 2017 will take place on Sunday, May 7th 2017 from 00:00 - 06:00 (Irish time).
Each morning in May, as the first glimmer of light begins to break the darkness of European skies, millions of birds begin to sing. Each individual bird does this for two key reasons: to lay claim to a breeding territory and to attract a mate. The birds can’t know this, but to human ears the collective effect is like nothing else in the world.
The wall of sound which the birds produce moves like a great wave across the face of the earth, just as it has done without fail for millions of years, as our planet revolves and the line of dawn shifts westwards.
Birds know no boundaries, and their songs have the power to connect us all in a unique way, right across the continent. As it moves from east to west with the rising sun, the Dawn Chorus represents a genuine shared link between all of Europe’s people, transcending national borders and cultures.
Just a few of the many birds you are likely to hear for the Dawn chorus in Ireland are:
BLACKBIRDS
The Blackbird is very common in Ireland. The male is all black with a bright orange beak and eye ring.
THE ROOK
The Rook, a large black bird which nests in tall trees such as Scots Pines or Beech. Identified from other crows by the power white base to the beak and feathers on the legs like shaggy trousers. They nest in large groups called rookeries. These are very noisy places during the breeding season and add a great background drone to a dawn chorus.
THE ROBIN
The Robin, well known from Christmas cards, the Robin is familiar to all. Also, related to the Blackbird and Song Thrush the Robin is found in more gardens in Ireland that any other bird.
THE WREN
The Wren is one of our smallest birds and features in many old Irish myths and stories. It often sings with its stiff tail held almost vertically in the air.
THE SONG THRUSH
The Song Thrush with the word song in its name it is no wonder that it is one of Ireland's most melodic singers. Like the Blackbird it sings from prominent perches. The song is loud and it will often repeat musical phrases up to five times, unlike the Blackbird, which rarely repeat any part of its song. The song will often last from many minutes at a time with only short breaks between phrases.
The Dunnock Its song is a bit like that of a Wren though not quite as loud. It will sing almost all year round but like most other songbirds is most vocal before and during the breeding season.
THE CHAFFINCH
Chaffinch is one of the most common members of the finch family in Ireland. The male sings from a prominent perch usually at the side or top of a large bush or tree. Once you learn its song, which only lasts a couple of seconds before being repeated, you will easily locate one. It does not usually sing after the breeding season.
THE PHEASANT
Pheasant In a dawn chorus competition it would not win a prize for its singing ability. Its "song" is a very loud single rasping note, sometimes repeated a few times if disturbed when the whir of its wings can also be heard. Once you hear this call is it unmistakable.
THE SKYLARK
Skylark is one of our most celebrated songbirds. Its vibrant song has inspired traditional aires, poetry and songs.
THE WOODPIGEON
Woodpigeon With its short legs and fat looking body the Woodpigeon is one of the largest birds of Irish woodlands. It is the baritone of the dawn chorus. Its cooing song is phrased like "Take two John (brief pause) take two". It is often more vocal in the evening than in the morning.