It may not feel like it as the "Beast from the East" howls over the UK this week, but we're fast approaching the beginning of Spring. Daffodils are emerging, snowdrops have bloomed and soon the familiar call of the season, the dawn chorus, will begin.
As breeding season approaches, song birds take the opportunity at the coldest part of the day – when it's too dark to go out searching for food – to flex their vocal muscles in a bid to attract a mate and defend their hard-earned territories. In fact, a bird's song travels around 20 times further at dawn than it does at midday on average due to the stillness of the air. Female birds are most impressed by a strong song from their male counterparts at dawn, as it shows they have plenty of energy left after the night's fast. Belting out a loud call is a sure fire sign that a male bird is a strong forager whose won a food-rich home for himself – a perfect mate!
In your Spring edition of Nature's Home, you'll find a guide to enjoying the dawn chorus, and 6 of our the most iconic singers in the cacophony. Here's a rundown of the top species to listen out for, and how to recognise their call.
1. Chaffinch
(Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com))
This widespread UK bird is usually heard before seen, with a great variety to its loud song. The phrase starts off wittering and ends with a church-bell like plume.
To hear the chaffinch's decorative song, click on the audio link in its species profile, here.
2. Woodpigeon
One of the most distinctive and recognisable songs in UK birding, the woodpigeon's song has five notes and sounds like a '"ru-hoo ru ru-hoo". I have a couple of woodpigeon's who like to sit on my conservatory roof and coo out year-round!
To listen to their distinctive call, click on the audio link in the woodpidgeon's species profile, here.
3. Wren
(Photo credit: Paul Chesterfield (rspb-images.com))
These compact little fellows pack a surprising punch when it comes to their voice. Their song, a multisyllabic rattle which they often repeat up to 11 times per minute, is surprisingly loud for such a small bird.
To hear their song, click on the audio link in the wren species profile, here.
4. Song thrush
(Photo credit: Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com))
True to its name, the song thrush is a key player in the UK's spring symphony. Their song is flute-like, and they usually repeat phrases a few times over before finding a new one.
To listen, click on the audio link in the song thrush species profile, here.
This habit of repetitive little song-cycles, is the main way to distinguish their tune from their relatives, the blackbird. Speaking of....
5. Blackbird
Amongst the earliest critters to join the chorus, the blackbird's song is one of the most melodious you're likely to hear in a UK garden. Younger male blackbirds start their spring-song as early as late January, as they try to win and defend the best territories. What I like most about the blackbird call is it's varied tone, which represents a crisp and sunny Sunday afternoon in the garden to me!
To listen, click on the audio link in the blackbird species profile, here.
6. Robin
(Photo credit: Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com))
What countdown would be complete without the nation's favourite bird? Robins, our most voracious singers, sing for most of the year. While their rare winter chirps form part of the soundtrack to Christmas, it is actually the start of their spring song kicking off. Both male and female robins sing and their spring song, which is more upbeat and vibrant than their melancholic autumn song, reaches its heights soon.
To listen to their song, click on the audio link in the robin species profile, here.
Fancy brushing up on your ID skills overall before spring really kicks off? The RSPB have plenty of tips for you on the best ways to identify birds, whether you're an emerging birder or a seasoned pro looking for a refresh.
To read more on these springtime singers, and for other ways to get out and enjoy the start of spring, check out your Wild About section (p.14-22) of Spring's Nature's Home, or look for guided morning walks at your local RSPB reserve, here.
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