Be Wowed by the Magic of the World’s Oldest Wake-up call with The Wildlife Trusts
All over the world people will be rising early on International Dawn Chorus Day, Sunday 6th May to hear one of the most stunning and moving performances of the natural calendar.
Here in the UK, night owls' can enjoy the Dawn Chorus from as early as 4am. For simple appreciation, all you have to do is open your bedroom window, breathe in the spring air and listen... but why not join an appreciative audience for a gala performance in the wild by joining in one of the many events organised by local Wildlife Trusts and other participating organisations? A listing of International Dawn Chorus Day events in the UK and around the world can be found at www.idcd.info
International Dawn Chorus Day will also be featured in the first ever podfrom 1st May), go to www.wildlifetrusts.org.
International Dawn Chorus Day is an annual celebration of the beauty of birdsong; it all started in 1984 with a single event, organised by The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, held at the Moseley Bog reserve in Birmingham. Since then it has grown into a truly international event with thousands of bird lovers quietly gathering at hundreds of events to hear birds greeting the sunrise around the world.
When the first gleam of light pierces the darkness a solo bird will begin to sing, awakening others to the dawn and soon the air will be filled with the beautiful sound of birdsong. It's a feat only nature could achieve and to truly appreciate this magnificent spectacle it's well-worth setting your alarm early.
As summer approaches dawn chorus reaches a crescendo - male songbirds sing their hearts out to attract potential partners and to protect their territories; the chorus only ends when there is enough light for the birds to fly off to forage for food.
Neil Wyatt, director, the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham & Black Country, says: "Each morning the sun rises around a world facing ever more challenges. Everywhere people face problems of pollution, climate change and habitat destruction. Yet each morning the birds awake and sing their songs with new enthusiasm. International Dawn Chorus Day is an opportunity to set aside the environmental challenges for a few minutes. Instead, join with your friends and colleagues around the world to celebrate nature's daily miracle - the Dawn Chorus.
"Of course there is also a serious message behind International Dawn Chorus Day. In the last three decades our songbirds have been in decline due to loss of habitat and intensive farming. The skylark has fallen in number by 52%, the corn bunting by 84% and the tree sparrow has declined by a staggering 87%. The Wildlife Trusts are working to reverse this decline. And you can show your support by making this the biggest birdwatch in history!"
For further information please contact:
Howard Park
Press and Publications Officer
Tel: 01636 670082
Fax: 0870 0360101
Email: hpark@wildlifetrusts.org
Editors' notes:
- Why is this time of year particularly good for hearing the dawn chorus?
Birds can, and do, sing and make calls at all times of year. However, on bright, mild days towards the end of winter, the intensity and number of birds singing increases. This is triggered by changing day length at the beginning of spring and the start of the breeding season for most bird species. The majority of birds singing are actually males. Bird song has evolved as a mechanism to maintain territories and attract females. The singer is broadcasting his condition and sexuality.
- The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country
Our aim is to ensure the diversity and richness of wildlife in the urban area, and to help people understand, protect and celebrate their environment. We have nature conservation, community and education projects. Research, survey and monitoring inform our lobbying and campaigning for wildlife and the environment. We are committed to protect and promote Biodiversity, promote sustainable development and celebrate the urban environment.
- The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) www.wildlifetrusts.org
There are 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. With 670,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK's habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. 108,000 of our members belong to our junior branch, Wildlife Watch. We manage 2,200 nature reserves covering more than 80,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living.
Current big issues:
- A Living Landscape
This report maps the way forward in countering climate change and restoring the UK's battered ecosystems, for both wildlife and people; from inner cities to rural communities. To download the report, click here A Living Landscape
- Breathing Places http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/
The UK's leading wildlife and environment conservation organisations, The Wildlife Trusts and BTCV, have joined forces to work in partnership with the BBC to develop the Communities campaign for Breathing Places.
- Marine
The Wildlife Trusts have been campaigning for many years for comprehensive legislation to achieve better protection for marine wildlife and effective management of our seas. For more information, click here Marine
- Wild About GardensWild About Gardens aims to bring the worlds of gardening and nature conservation closer together. The project's website, www.wildaboutgardens.org, hosts an online discussion forum for visitors to share tips, ideas and their experiences of wildlife in the garden on a county or UK-level.
