Rising Sun Sunrise

Oh mother, tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun

The Animals from a traditional folk song.

5^th June.  I was loitering alone and with intent in the Rising Sun Country Park at 4.30am this morning.  My intent was to lead a Dawn Chorus walk beginning at 5.00am.  Probably a bit late in the morning but there was no expectation that folk would turn up for a 4.00am start.  By 5.00am all 20 participants had turned up on time and were ready for action.  This is the third year running that I have led this walk and I always make sure that participants are informed that this is an exercise for the ears and thankfully most people take notice.  We began the walk with song from Blackbirds, Robins, Song Thrushes, Wrens and Tits surrounding us.

It’s amazing how many folk don’t know the call of Chiffchaff so we can always be assured that this is one call that participants will (hopefully) learn before the morning is out.  Picking up the song of Willow Warbler was more difficult this year, but we did get there eventually, and Blackcap and Common Whitethroat were also heard well.

 As we walked towards Swallow Pond the drumming of Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard.  The pond itself was at its best with the back drop of a rising sun in a clear sky and a layer of mist over a still and cold pond.  Birds seen here included Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Pochard, Mallard, gulls and Ruddy Duck.  A Swallow appeared too.

Our youngest participant picked up the call of Common Whitethroat and he and I saw the bird fly from the hedge.  Numbers of Goldfinch were in this area as were Greenfinch and Chaffinch.  Starlings had nested in what seemed to be a hole caused by a woodpecker in one of the wooden pylons.

It was towards the end of the walk when the aroma of sausages and bacon seemed to be in the air that we finally had song from Willow Warblers.  Over breakfast we found a Tree Sparrow visiting the feeders.

We ended the day having heard and seen a nice selection of birds and everyone seemed t go away happy that getting out of bead at 4:00am was more than worth it.  The excellent weather, fine breakfast served by Graham and assistant and the group of very friendly and keen participants ensured that the morning was a success.  I really did enjoy the morning myself.  I left before the park run began and the ambiance of the park changed!  We had definitely been there at the best time.  The idea of a sunset bird walk is now under consideration.