News 2005

Press Release 22nd April 2005

	Celebrate the World's Oldest Wake Up Call

The Wildlife Trusts' International Dawn Chorus Day is an annual celebration of the world's oldest wake-up call, the dawn chorus and the beauty of bird song. International Dawn Chorus Day was originally conceived by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, one of the 47 Wildlife Trusts around the country. The day is now truly an International event, celebrated as far away as France, Italy, Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand.

The dawn chorus is a labour of love. As winter retreats male birds sing to attract females and to protect their territories. However, as the sun rises higher in the sky, the birds become tired and hungry. The dawn chorus comes to a close as soon as it becomes light enough for the birds to go in search of food. So, to catch the songs of robins, wrens, chaffinches, sparrows, blackbirds, blue tits and many more, you have to be an 'early bird' to hear them!

One way to mark this event is to make a special effort to listen to the dawn chorus. Throughout the UK people with gardens that attract birds are encouraged to wake up early, just after 4am, one morning in the first week of May to hear the dawn chorus from their bedroom window.

Matthew Davey, Local Nature Reserves Officer for Lincolnshire County Council says: ‘Dawn Chorus Day is a celebration of the part wild birds play in our lives.’ ‘Recent studies have shown sharp declines in many familiar birds and I hope taking part in this event will encourage people to do something to help birds, from building a nest box to wildlife gardening.'

However, if you want to be a little more adventurous The Friends of Mareham Pastures invite you to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day by joining a Dawn Bird Walk at the Local Nature Reserve on Saturday 7th May, starting at 5am. The Dawn Bird Walk will be an excellent opportunity to hear the dawn chorus and find out about the birds of Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve.

The walk is free of charge and will be lead by NKDC Countryside Rangers Adrian Royston & Frank Brufton and Lincolnshire County Council’s Local Nature Reserve Officer, Matthew Davey.

If you wish to join the Dawn Bird Walk please meet up at the Lavender Close entrance to Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve, Sleaford. Parking is available at Sleaford Cricket Club, but arrive quietly so as not to disturb the birds or the neighbours.
 

 

 

 

Anyone interested in what is happening at Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve can now receive regular news updates by email – contact Zoë Watson – Secretary at info@marehampastures.co.uk. and ask to be added to the supporters list.

For any other information please contact Zoë Watson – Secretary of the Friends of Mareham Pastures via email.

info@marehampastures.co.uk

Alternatively contact Matthew Davey, Environmental and Community Project Officer, Lincolnshire County Council, Conservation Services:

Tel: 01522 554832

Alternatively contact Matthew Davey, Environmental and Community Project Officer, Lincolnshire County Council, Conservation Services:

Tel: 01522 554832

 

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