What the world sounds like: dawn chorus, RSPB Northward Hill, 27/4/12

The dawn chorus is something that takes place all year round but is at its peak in spring. It's something I look forward to all year: the early morning stillness, the sounds of nature stirring...always a humbling and memorable experience. So after a week of non-stop rain; last Friday, with a good day finally forecast, I set my alarm for 4am. Having recently been thrust wearily into the modern age with a fancy new phone, I thought it'd be fun to tweet some of the highlights 'live'. For those still remaining admirably twitter-less (but hopefully still kind enough to read this blog!) here's a transcript. So get comfy, make a cup of tea and enjoy the dawn chorus from RSPB Northward Hill, 27/04/12:

Morning all! This is what the world sounds like in North Kent #rightnow #dawnchorus

— Peter Beckenham (@Bird_Poem) April 27, 2012

 05:01am A mild and damp morning on the marshes, a slight breeze but at least it's not raining! And the birds are awake...a Barn Owl calling at 0430

05:05am #dawnchorus In the yard now with those classic early risers: several Blackbirds, a Wren and numerous Robins...

05:07am and already a distant but unmistakeable #Cuckoo! Amazing :) #dawnchorus #heardacuckoo

05:15am Moving into the scrub: Jackdaws over, a manic Song Thrush, squeaky wheeling great tits and a Nightingale!

05:22am Nightingale now in full song from a dense patch of brambles- does anything beat it?! #dawnchorus

05:26am First Blackcap of the morning, a gorgeous flutey song. A Cetti's Warbler now- so noisy! #dawnchorus

05:31am On a track running by the marsh: pheasant, 2 laughing mallards over, a cockerel somewhere

05:34am Can't see it but can hear the distinct purring of a Turtle Dove- gorgeous song with a sad tale to tell

05:45am Virtually light now and the #dawnchorus is in full swing. Thick and fast: scratchy whitethroats, Reed Warbler...

05:49am A croaking grey heron in off the marsh, dozens of noisy crows, a Curlew over calling and geese stirring

05:57am A bright orange sun rising clear over the fields...it's turning into a beautiful morning #dawnchorus

06:00am Into the woodland now: a belated Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon flushing with a clap of wings, a cheery flock of blue tits...

06:09am The drowsy pulse of a Stock Dove resting in an oak tree high above my head, more blackcaps 'clacking' with concern

06.22am Ankle deep in a stunning field of bluebells, nightingales continue to yell on either side, a yaffling Green Woodpecker across the hill

06:40am #dawnchorus walking beneath the rookery now, it roars like an angry hive. Literally cannot hear myself tweet!

06:49am The cries of the rooks interspersed with the strange, gutteral displays of little egrets, building nests nearby...

06:58am Out into the open again and it's quieter now. A 200 strong, mixed gull flock drifts over the marshes towards the river

07:10am Back through the yard now, destination: breakfast. #dawnchorus a murmur save for a gang of cheeky linnets

07:24am #dawnchorus I hope you enjoyed that taste of a spring morning on the #northkentmarshes. 

Looking east over the marshes from RSPB Northward Hill, Kent, 27/4/12.

Now imagine how the dawn chorus would sound if they built an airport here...