Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Dawn Chorus

 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…… 

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