International Dawn Chorus Day!

I've really been getting to know the variety of birds that are migrating into the UK at the moment. I only started to get into birdwatching and photography during Lockdown in 2020......who would have thought we was only allowed out for one walk a day at point, madness! I'm not going to lie, I loved the lockdown, it gave us an opportunity to do or try things that we wouldn't normally get to do when we are in the throws of day to day routines! I digress, thats where my new found habit started, and it's grown from then on. I went along to the Dawn Chorus Event that was on at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve, about an hour and twenty minute drive, that meant a 2am wake up call!! I was not disappointed, there is something so eerie yet so spectacular about being out during Dawn, listening the endless chatters and songs of so many different birds. Now, I'm no expert, so I was eager to put my listening skills to the test....I'm often told that I don't listen, so this was my opportunity to prove otherwise haha. On my arrival, a dark, dewy morning, with wisps of rain falling through the air sitting against my coat and hair, was the sing of the blackbird, Robin and wren, with the backdrop of grunting black headed gulls. We set off heading past the reeds, down the causeway........ I can distinguish between a Reed and a Sedge Warbler, apparently very tricky to do, also a sneaky Reed Bunting in there. Heading into the mystical marshland woods now, with a majestic Tawny Owl taking resident, yet it was not to be seen on this morning. I've learned the song of Song Thrush, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Cetti's Warbler . ....my goal for the day was to see some Cetti's Warbler and I was not disappointed, I managed to spot 3, yet trying to get a photo was another challenge, flitting in and out of the reeds, trees and damp leaves.....I'll try again another day. Many other usual suspects were spotted today, Marsh tit, Great tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and some Sand Martins, only around 2,000! It's been a very special day, I'm always excited to learn, and now I know more birdsong, I'm sure I can identify more birds when I'm out gallivanting. I'm hoping to take a look around another RSPB reserve tomorrow......Burton Mere Wood! I hope you've enjoyed reading my first blog, new to the whole thing, any comments, send them over and I look forward to reading them. TTFN, The Faceless Birder

The Birdwatchers Field Book