Middleton's Dawn Chorus

The morning was cool but dry, as I started my introduction dawn was breaking and within a couple of minutes a Cuckoo started calling, not too far distant, and went on non-stop for about 5 minutes. Whether it was questioning our sanity in rising so early, or commenting on my diatribe I am not sure!

From the feeders boardwalk  we heard the early risers, Robin, Song Thrush and Blackbird, almost drowning out everything else, except of course the Grey Heron’s (complaining about the noise no doubt).

The bridleway to the main reserve turned out to be much drier than I had expected, and as we walked down Dunnock, Chiffchaff and Blackcap joined the chorus, which was reaching its crescendo. I never fail to be amazed at the number of birds singing.

On the viewing platform we had Sedge Warbler, and moving into the woodland walk we heard Wren, belting out its song - above the noise of the squabbling Rooks, and the occasional calls of male Pheasant.

Between the Woodland and the canal bridge a Whitethroat did its stuff, and after a short while listening (and watching) I led the group, with impeccable timing, to the entrance to the wetlands.

I say impeccable timing, and It couldn’t have been planned better, because as we came over the canal bridge to the reserve fence we were greeted by the amazing vista of the rising Sun just appearing over the earth banking of the Water Ski Club and casting its first rays of the day across the reserve.

Truly breathtaking! It stopped us in our tracks, and If any of us were thinking it would have been better to have stayed in bed those doubts were well and truly dispelled!

We stood there for several minutes taking in the view and listening to the sounds of the Black-headed Gulls before we continued round to the river walk, picking up Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler and Reed Bunting as we went, and just after passing the Willow screen Mr Cuckoo did a fly by for us, seen by everyone!

By now the light was really strengthening and the main crescendo of the dawn chorus had subsided. We progressed at an easy pace along the river bank path and watched sedge warblers exploding out of the reeds and parachuting down, singing as they went. As we reached the new reedbed pool we saw a Hare making its way along the bank, and a Great-spotted Woodpecker flew over our heads.

 As we reached the signpost to turn back towards the canal I looked at my watch to find it was 6:40! Time to head back for what was now going to be a late breakfast!

 We made a little more haste now, but we managed to see two more Hares, and heard Garden Warbler, Chaffinch and Green Woodpecker on the return trip.

 Just after leaving the Woodland trail path we stopped briefly at the dead tree to survey what looked to be a woodpecker hole, when I noticed two Treecreepers, and as I watched one of them disappeared into a nest under the bark on the left hand side of the tree.

 It was now a brisk march back to the car park, no time to survey the feeders, but we finished the morning with a couple of goldfinches tinkling their song on the telephone wires.

 We were 25 minutes late for breakfast, but I don’t think anyone minded!

 My only disappointment was that we didn’t hear a singing Cetti’s Warbler, but you can’t have everything!

Posted by Peter Rollin who hosted the walk on behalf of the RSPB team.