Volunteers lead 2025 Dawn Chorus walk
At 4:15am on a cool May morning 15 intrepid walkers, including two children, gathered at Couch Green in Martyr Worthy. The walk was led by ornithologist Mike Armitage and trustee Clive Cook. Trustees Mike and Jackie also attended.
This was our 8th annual Dawn Chorus Walk and this year we beat our previous best in recording a total of 45 birds seen.
Discounting a skylark flying high overhead the first bird heard at around 4:30am was a robin. Quickly followed by a blackbird, song thrush and a wren. The bird song trail QR code on the bench at Bridgets Lane confirmed a robin as a common resident. There are 15 roundels around the route which highlight which birds you may hear in each location.
The variety of habitats on our three mile walk took us along the disused railway line then down a country lane to the Itchen. Through farmland and along hedgerows before recrossing the riverback to the railway embankment. Each different area enabled us to see and hear a wide variety of birds from finches to warblers and water birds.
Our knowledgeable guides kept everyone informed of what they were hearing even when there were several singing together. Our enthusiastic walkers also offered extra information. They also kept our experts on their toes by using the Merlin identification App on their phones! I am pleased to report that they passed with flying colours. They also gave us valuable extra information about habitats and the different bird species.
Jackie supplied welcome coffee and cake at the end.
This was an excellent start to our programme of walks throughout the spring and summer. See the website for upcoming events. We look forward to seeing people at the Watercress Festival in Alresford on 18 May where our brand new guidebook will be on sale. You can also order a copy from us directly here.
Mike, Secretary
List of birds seen:
Blackbird, Blackcap , Blue tit, Canada goose, Cetti’s warbler , Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Collared dove, Cormorant , Crow, Cuckoo , Dunnock , Gadwall, Garden warbler , Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great tit, Green Woodpecker , Greenfinch, Greylag geese, Heron, House Martin, House sparrow , Jackdaw, Little egret, Long tailed tit (possible), Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute swan, Pheasant , Pied wagtail , Reed warbler , Robin, Rook, Sedge warbler , Skylark, Song thrush, Stock dove, swallow, Tufted duck, Whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellow hammer
List of mammals seen:
Roe Deer, Muntjac Deer, Grey Squirrel, and Rabbit
