Early Birds Enjoy Dawn Chorus
17 May 2010
Local residents joined University staff on Sunday 16 May for a dawn chorus on Sturgess Fields.
Despite the early start time of 4.30am, nearly thirty people came along to witness the splendour of birdsong during a spring sunrise.
The dawn chorus occurs every spring morning as male birds sing to attract a mate and to defend their territory. This is the best time of year for experiencing a dawn chorus, and the event was organised to coincide with International Dawn Chorus Day, held annually in May.
Dr Graham Rowe, of the University's Biological Sciences Department, led the group and helped people to identify 25 different species of birds. Having such a learned guide helped to ensure everyone got the most from the experience.
After two hours of enjoying the dawn chorus the group was treated to breakfast at the Derby West End Bowls Club on Markeaton Street. There was a really warm community atmosphere in the club as everyone tucked in to some welcome rounds of toast.
Dr Rowe said: "It was a lovely morning and there was a great turnout. It was particularly encouraging to see such a huge age range, from 6 to 60!
"We were all treated to a magnificent chorus as the sun rose, and there was a great variety of species that we were able to identify. I think everyone enjoyed the morning, and the breakfast was great!"
The dawn chorus was one of many events planned by the University as part of its Sturgess Fields Project, which aims to share the site with local people and to help to preserve it.
Peter Walker, Community Relations Officer, said: "I am always surprised when people start to appear out of the dark at such a time in the morning in such good humour - and equally surprised to see just how many people are about at that time of the morning returning home from their celebrations across Derby!
"John Vale from the West End Bowls Club made us all so welcome, and soon got the toast generating machine working to good effect! The morning was very cold so we were all pleased to step inside for warmth, sustenance and more friendship".
The birds played their role too, with the group identifying an impressive number of species, including robins, kestrels, mallards and cormorants. For a full list, see below.
Peter Walker added: "Grateful thanks to Graham for providing such an informed and enjoyable commentary on what at times sounded more like a free-for-all than a chorus, and for the support of Beverley Rhodes from WildDerby".
The dawn chorus was a great success, and a particularly encouraging aspect was the presence of both community members who attended last year's event and some new faces who came along to join in. Let's hope this trend continues!
Luke Foddy
Community Projects
Full list of identified birds:
- Robin
- Mallard
- Blackbird
- Moorhen
- Canada Goose
- Kestrel
- Chaffinch
- Great Tit
- Grey Wagtail
- Song Thrush
- Mistle Thrush
- Wren
- Blackcap
- Blue Tit
- Nuthatch
- Chiffchaff
- Willow Warbler
- Swallow
- House Sparrow
- Wood pigeon
- Carrion Crow
- Jackdaw
- Magpie
- Cormorant
- Dunnock.
