My alarm clock went off at 4.00am – it was ok – I wasn’t asleep. I hadn’t really slept at all – I was too excited, waiting to get up…I got up quickly, pulled on clothes, made toast and hot chocolate in a flask, then scurried out of the house with my daughter Hannah.
We had a short drive – a bit early for cycling so we used
the electric car – and drove to Evington’s Arboretum.
It was still dark, as we walked in under the canopy of
trees, I had to flick the torch on, so that we didn’t stumble…
We found a fallen tree trunk to sit on and listened…it was
May 1st – Dawn Chorus Day – and we were there to watch the sunrise
and listen to the birds – they didn’t disappoint.
The Robins are the first to sing – always pre-dawn because
they want to prove they are the toughest and can get through a cold night but
be ready to sing for a mate before dawn. Then it is the Blackbirds, Wrens and
Pigeons turn, followed by Song Thrush, Greenfinch and Warblers, last to join
the party, as the sun rises, are the Blue Tits, Long Tailed Tits and Dunnocks as
they are a bit nervous so wait for the sun.
And there it was rising above the horizon, heralding a new
day and what a way to begin it – sitting on a tree trunk in an arboretum,
drinking hot chocolate and listening to the birds singing……
