Undoubtedly, taking in a dawn chorus is one of the more magical birding experiences. In the tranquil period before and during sunrise, while most of the world is fast asleep, springtime birds greet the new day with a bout of singing unmatched during the daylight hours – their voices coalescing into one large, living and breathing, euphonious symphony.
One easily accessible salve for the anxious and painful emotions we’re experiencing right now is a regular dose of the dawn chorus. With that in mind, turn up the volume (or better yet, put headphones on), close your eyes, and enjoy a few dawn chorus recordings as performed by the birds of Guerneville, California.
Our House (May 26, 2020)
Time of recording: 5:30 AM
First light: 5:20 AM / sunrise: 5:50 AM
Weather: 65 degrees / clear
First bird to vocalize: Violet-green Swallows at 4:28 AM
See our complete May 26 eBird checklist here
A singing Black-headed Grosbeak is the most prominent vocalization here, but the chorus also includes: American Crow, American Robin, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, and Violet-green Swallow.
Neighborhood Walk (June 10, 2020)
Time of recording: 5:38 AM
First light: 5:15 AM / sunrise: 5:46 AM
Weather: 55 degrees / clear
First bird to vocalize: Pacific-slope Flycatcher calling at 4:41 AM
See our complete June 10 eBird checklist here
A singing Hermit Thrush takes the lead here, but the backing band includes: Acorn Woodpecker, Bewick’s Wren, Common Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, Orange-crowned Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Purple Finch, Spotted Towhee, Steller’s Jay, Warbling Vireo, and Wilson’s Warbler.
Austin Creek State Recreation Area (June 12, 2020)
Time of recording: 6:26 AM
First light: 5:16 AM / sunrise: 5:47 AM
Weather: 55 degrees / overcast and breezy
First bird to vocalize: Violet-green Swallows at 4:48 AM
See our complete June 12 eBird checklists here and here
A singing Cassin’s Vireo steals the show here, but let’s also give it up for: Brown Creeper, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Hutton’s Vireo, Mountain Quail, Oak Titmouse, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Steller’s Jay. Bonus sound: Teresa’s belly growling towards the end of the recording at 2:29 and 2:47 seconds, ha ha!
Western Bluebird Dawn Song
That same morning at 5:37 AM before sunrise, we also enjoyed the song of a Western Bluebird perched atop a signpost. Though Western Bluebirds call throughout the day, their song is most often performed during dawn. Listen to it here below.
The Dawn Chorus Project
If you’re interested, take a moment to explore the Dawn Chorus Project, a global biodiversity and art project by BIOTOPIA and the Nantesbuch Foundation based in the Bavarian foothills of the Alps. This project, which collected dawn chorus recordings from around the globe during the month of May 2020, was directly inspired by Sonoma County’s own founding father of soundscaping Bernie Krause.
Visit this page and scroll down to listen to dawn choruses from around the world:
Dawn Chorus: A worldwide birdsong concert for the sciences and the arts
So wonderful! Waking up to the morning chorus is probably what I miss most about living in the forest – thank you for sharing.
These are all lovely. I wake up sometimes at dawn, but so far have been unable and unwilling to drag myself out of bed! But, I listen and identify while I am drowsing.;)
«L’avenir appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt» translates to English as « it’s the early bird that catches the worm!» Your post is MAGNIFICIENT !!!
Thank you for this spirit-soothing post, it is exquisite!