Where to hear the dawn chorus

Pale grey bird singing from a branch against a blue sky

Willow warbler singing in birch tree (c) Chris Gomersall/2020VISION

Where to listen to the dawn chorus

April and May are great months to hear the dawn chorus, just as the sun rises. The peak time is first two weeks in May and the best place is near the edge of woods. Here are our recommendations: 

Small brown bird perched in a hedge, beak open.

Dunnock or hedge sparrow (Prunella modularis) singing from hedge. (c) Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Birches Farm

The centuries old hedgerows that criss-cross the 24 hectare site are home to birds such as robin, blackbird and great tit leading the dawn chorus, joined later on by chiffchaffs and blackcaps. The reserve also hosts a few rarities such as redstart and willow warbler. While you’re there explore the meadows with their fantastic display of wildflowers throughout spring and summer.

Visiting Birches Farm

Five-bar wooden gate on left opening into meadow with tree branches on right hand side of image

Lea & Paget's Wood

This ancient woodland with its diverse tree and understorey species providing food and shelter for birds is one of the best places in Herefordshire to hear the dawn chorus. Expect to hear blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff and the occasional wood warbler. Nuthatches, treecreepers, marsh tits and jays are all frequently seen and the drumming of woodpeckers echoes through the woods throughout the spring.

Visiting Lea & Paget's Wood

View along path through green trees in spring

Lea & Paget's Wood Nature Reserve (c) Paul Lloyd

Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum

Bird life is plentiful here as you wander along the sunny rides and woodland glades of this ancient woodland and arboretum. Spring migrants such as chiffchaff and spotted flycatcher breed here and marsh tit and siskins visit the north wood. Arriving in April and May spot the swallows flying out from their nests under the eaves of the Visitor Centre.

Visiting Queenswood

Woodland glade in spring sunshine

Queenswood Arboretum in spring (Image by Trevor Hulme)

Leeping Stocks

In the south of the county, at Leeping Stocks the diverse habitats and species in the reserve attract blackcap, marsh tit, nuthatch and woodpeckers. This ancient coppiced woodland is now thinned in places to allow light to reach the woodland floor and a canopy crown to develop, much to the woodland bird’s approval.

Visiting Leeping Stocks

Titley Pool

Although the dawn chorus might be competing with the sound of canada geese on the once glacially-formed lake at Titley, there are plenty of blackcaps, chiffchaffs and woodland warblers making quite a sound when you walk in Green Wood. The nest boxes here are occupied each year by pied flycatchers and redstarts. In the summer, enjoy watching dragonflies and damselflies hawk insects over the water.

Visiting Titley Pool

View across clam lake with trees beyond

Titley Pool Nature Reserve (c) Bob Langridge

Small brown bird perched on a branch, beak open.

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis). Portrait of an adult singing from a hedgerow. (c) Andrew Parkinson - Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION