Dawn Chorus Day - 11th May 2025.
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South Dublin Members, Killiney Hill, 11th May 2025 (picture: Shane Kerr)
It must seem puzzling to many why anyone would contemplate losing sleep to attend an event at 4am in chilly darkness to begin listening to bird song. Yet, there must be something truly enchanting about it as our annual dawn chorus event is consistently the best attended of all the South Dublin branch outings each year.
Killiney Hill Park was again chosen as the venue for the occasion where a record 71 individuals gathered in the car park before sunrise in dry and calm conditions. Amongst those present were about 20 curious newcomers who were in for a treat, and it was also marvelous to have around eight children present, most of whom admittedly looked a little bewildered by the activity at the unearthly hour. Everyone stood in silent anticipation for that special moment when the first bird song greets the first light in the sky.
Robin, Killiney Hill Park, 11th May 2025 (picture: Bill Rea)
As in previous years the group was privileged to have Niall Hatch lead the outing. Niall is the Head of Communications and Development at BirdWatch Ireland. He is also famously a key contributor to the International Dawn Chorus Day all-night radio event on RTE 1 which is held on the first Sunday in May each year.
Niall gave his now traditional address to everyone about the significance of the dawn chorus and as he finished, right on cue as he predicted, Blackbirds, Robins, Song thrushes and Wrens began to sing in succession rudely interrupted by the coarse calls of Rooks. Niall explained how the songs of these birds can be readily separated by listening and mentioned how the now popular smartphone apps can be used as a tool to identify the species singing.
Blackbird, Killiney Hill Park, 11th May 2025 (picture: Bill Rea)
Niall took the opportunity to announce and describe the features of the amazing new BirdWatch Ireland 'Birds of Ireland Field Guide' app, which led several present, especially the kids, to immediately fumble with their smartphones! Details about the app can be found on the Google Play and Apple App stores and is free to download and there is also a more advanced subscription-based version. Please give it a 5 star rating in the store after you get it!
Also present was Niamh Fitzgerald who is a key member of BirdWatch Irelands’ survey and monitoring team. Niamh then informed us of another exciting online initiative called BirdTrack which was created in collaboration with the main British ornithological societies. It is a free and convenient way of storing your bird records online, allows you keep up to date with what others are seeing, view the latest trends, and contribute your data to science.
Willow Warbler, Killiney Hill Park, 11th May 2025 (picture: Bill Rea)
BirdTrack can look at migration movements and distributions of birds throughout Britain and Ireland. It provides facilities for observers to store and manage their own personal records as well as using these to support species conservation at local, regional, national, and international levels.
Participating is easy and fun. You simply provide some information about yourself, the sites where and when you go birdwatching and most importantly, the birds you identify! BirdTrack allows you to store all your bird records in a safe, easily accessible, and interactive format. Details of how to participate in BirdTrack can be found on BirdWatch Ireland's website.
Linnet, Killiney Hill Park, 11th May 2025 (picture: Bill Rea)
As light started to fill the woodland the group proceeded up the path to the hill summit and along the way Treecreeper, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps were in full voice complemented by the soothing cooing calls of Wood Pigeons in the background. On hearing a Magpie call Niall disclosed the surprising fact that these raucous crows do sing although at low volume it is rarely heard. It consists of babbling short calls and twittering used to defend territory and nests and in pair bonding. So that is a challenge for the reader to hear!
Niall then stopped at a location high up along the path which looks down onto a canopy of oak trees and spoke of how it is a known location where one of Ireland’s rarest butterflies the Purple Hairstreak can be reliably seen. This beautiful insect is usually difficult to come across because it spends its life cycle high above us in the tops of oak trees. So being above the trees gives a unique opportunity to observe them. However, it would not be until about August when they would be expected to be seen.
Sunrise from Killiney Hill Park, 11th May 2025 (picture: Bill Rea)
At the summit of Killiney hill as in recent years the remaining group was rewarded with the sight of a glowing red sunrise made more impressive than ever by the haze of that morning. In truth writing about or taking photographs covering the dawn chorus event or indeed listening to recordings can never capture its essence that simply has to be experienced.
Some More Pictures
Killiney Hill Scenery & South Dublin Members
Some more pictures of Killiney Hill scenery and South Dublin Members taken on the day by Bill Rea and Shane Kerr.
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One of the most memorable moments of this year was when a little boy asked Niall a question before the dawn chorus began which was What if the birds forget to sing ? Let us hope that never happens.
The outing concluded at 06:10. Huge appreciation to Niall and Niamh and everyone else who shared in this most special of mornings.