Spring is showing every which way you look and, if you listen carefully, you’ll hear it too. Woodland and garden birds are getting louder and louder, and the best time to hear the cacophony of chirps and tweets is first thing in the morning – otherwise known as the Dawn Chorus.

This spectacular symphony is at its best this time of year, when our feathered friends are fighting to be heard over one another. The majority of the noise is made up of male voices, and the reason they get up so early is that it’s the best time to warn other males away from their patch (and potential mates). The steadfast plan is to sing earlier and louder than the competition; find a female and build a nest, ready for breeding season.

Get up early, get outside and enjoy this seasonal delight

To recognise the effort that goes into rehearsing and performing such a show each year, International Dawn Chorus Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May. Reportedly started in the 1980s by bird enthusiast and broadcaster Chris Baines, the campaign encourages people all over the world to get up early, get outside, and make the most of this seasonal delight.

You can do this at home or find an event dedicated to the cause, usually headed up by an expert who’ll single out the great tits from the blue tits or the willow warblers from the chiffchaffs. Either way, expect to set your alarm for around 4am if you want to catch the highlights.

You might start to recognise rhythms and tunes

If you’re new to bird calls, once you listen out for individual voices, you might start to recognise rhythms and tunes that are sung frequently in your patch. Some are more distinctive than others. Favourites include the ‘cheer-up-cheerily-cheerily’ of the robin – sweet, rich and strong to the ear, and the culprit is usually sat on a low branch nearby, to give a helping hand with identification.

The ‘tea-cher, tea-cher’ is instantly recognisable as the garden regular, great tit. While the ‘tsee, tsee, ch, churrrr’ of a blue tit can be a little trickier to pull out straight away. For one of our smallest birds, the wren has a mighty powerful set of pipes, putting many a larger bird to shame with its long and loud churrs and twitters. The varied tones of the blackbird are melodic and enjoyable – they often give the distinct impression that they might just be improvising.

Head into woodland and you’ll hear all of these birds and more. The very aptly named chiffchaff is kind enough to shout its name at you whenever given the opportunity. The great spotted woodpecker ‘kip’s in-between the familiar hammering of wood.

Don’t miss the joyful celebration

The willow warbler sings a beautiful song, and some say it sounds as though it glides down a waterfall as it sings, the notes lulling and swaying in a downward scale. Last but not least, the nuthatch’s distinctive ‘TWEEP’s usually echo around branches before you catch sight of the pastel blue-grey and orange-pink bodies, scooting skilfully up and down the trunks of trees.

Don’t miss the joys of the Dawn Chorus this year, wherever you choose to celebrate them.