WAKEY, WAKEY!!!
All animals have a basic need to communicate with others of their species. Some communicate using colours, others make simple basic sounds. Some even talk to each other via the medium of interpretive dance. You've got to love a waggling bee.
We humans have developed a huge vocabulary of speech with more subtle nuances than you can shake a gesticulating stick insect at. Add our body language and facial expressions to our vocalisations and we can make ourselves understood (or even try to hide our true emotions) whenever we feel like it.
Many birds also use noises to send messages to each other. Being much simpler animals than us, they're driven by the most basic of instincts. Essentially their motivations all come down to just staying alive and making the healthiest baby birds that they can. And the sounds they make can be even more complex than those of humans. For many of the woodland species found around these parts, their chosen way to connect with each other is through song.
The lyrics aren't much to write home about but the melodies are beyond the imagination of man – and sometimes even beyond human hearing, especially if the human in question (i.e. me) has had their hearing compromised by working in a deafening steelworks environment and by attending too many even louder Ramones concerts. One of these was a financial necessity. The other was a privilege, every time. I'll leave you to work out which is which.
It's mostly the males of the species that sing loudly. Some females also sing, but their songs are much quieter and less detailed. The males are the ones that we'll notice and they sing for several reasons. Much of the time it's a simple message; “ Good morning, everyone. I've survived the night. I'm here”. They're also saying, “This is my patch. Keep your distance”. But when the weather turns warmer and the light is a gentle hue, they add another level of intensity to their singing with a different, more urgent message. This one begins, “Hey ladies...”
Of course, the ladies understand this. The females always understand more than the males think. They listen to all the male birds singing in and around their area and gravitate towards the ones with the 'best' song. This could be the loudest or the most complex or a combination of the two, depending on species. It varies from bird to bird just as a group of people will all have personal preferences when choosing a mate. I'm not going to even speculate on the laws of human attraction but in birds it comes down to who they think will provide the best genes to continue the species. A good song is usually indicative of a strong and healthy bird. It's Survival of the Fittest in action.
We can enjoy this free show too. You don't even need to know what birds are singing to appreciate the beauty of their song, but if you want to learn who's singing then you might like to try the RSPB's Bird Song Identifier or something similar.
The best time to hear birds singing is when they wake up. This means that if you want to experience them at their best then you have to be up and about before they do, and that will take a little effort as songbirds start to stir about half an hour before sunrise. The sun is peeking over the horizon at around a quarter to six at the moment so you'll need to set your alarm. It will be worth it though, as you'll be awake in time to hear the fabled Dawn Chorus.
International Dawn Chorus Day falls on the first Sunday in May each year, which is when many species' singing season is at its peak. This year that's Sunday 7th May. Here at RSPB Old Moor we'll be holding one of our regular early morning guided walks on the day itself. We usually have one on the first Sunday of every month. Click here for more information and details of how to book. If you're not local to us, lots of other RSPB sites around the country are hosting their own Dawn Chorus walks too – more details can be found here.
Many of us at some time or other have attended a music festival and this year the RSPB is promoting their Dawn Chorus events by advertising them as a sort of 'Festival of Birdsong'. That's a great analogy as the birds tend to follow each other onto the 'stage' by performing in order as they wake up. Birds with large eyes detect the light of impending dawn the earliest, so the bright-eyed Robins usually kick things off, followed by Blackbirds. Wrens are also early risers with their incredibly loud, trilling song so they're next up, and so the roll-call continues with each bird declaring its continued existence, strength and sexual availability in turn.
We have some great acts all the way down the line-up. Most of the birds listed on the RSPB's advert can be heard in our Dearne Valley. We're fortunate to have Garden, Wetland and Woodland stages for them to sing in.
So get up, get out and listen up, either at one of the guided walks or just somewhere open near home. You'll be amazed at the variety of performances you'll witness. Just don't expect to hear The Ramones.
Volunteer Shaun welcomes visitors to RSPB Old Moor. He also writes a weekly blog about life at the reserve titled, "View From the Shed". He usually wears a big hat.