On the eve of the Summer solstice I love to go to sleep early with my curtains open so I can wake up naturally and see the sunrise; it helps me align with the seasons and appreciate nature in a different way. This year I awoke at 3:50am and immediately opened the window so I could enjoy the dawn chorus. Initially the predominant birdsong was that of Blackbirds (Turdus merula), occasionally punctuated by the calls from a Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), a murder of very vocal Carrion crows (Corvus corone), along with a male Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in the distance too. The crescendo came around 4:10am but it wasn’t until finally at 4:42am, when things had quietened, that I heard a few more birds singing. There was a lone Dunnock (Prunella modularis) and then a Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) at about 4:50am; followed much later by Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) which I observed in the Rowan (Sorbus) tree nearby.
It’s interesting to notice an order to the bird song. Blackbirds are the first to be heard, almost like they are an alarm call for the other songbirds; clearly eager to catch the worms.
I also learnt another birdsong last week, heard around midday on Thursday. Hidden somewhere amongst the treeline next to a field, was a Common Whitethroat (Curruca communis); the song can be heard here on the RSPB website.
This warbler visits the UK from Southern Africa (from countries south of the Sahara) between April and October. Once the males arrive on these shores, they will establish territories and build nests for prospective partners (approximately ten to fourteen days before the females arrive).
These birds are about the same size as Great tits (Parus major) and named after the white plumage on their throats. Males can be differentiated from female due to their grey heads. They feed on insects as well as fruit and berries later in the year.
After being concerned that I wasn’t seeing many butterflies and ladybirds the previous week, last week
it finally became warm and sunny enough for them to venture out once again. It was lovely to witness a couple of Small tortoisehell butterflies (Aglais urticae) along with some bumblebees visit a Scabious plant in one garden.
Plus there was a loveliness of Seven-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) at the allotment, hunting down on all the aphids which also appeared.
Bee in the Moment 