Happy May Day! At the time of publishing this blog, today is the 1st May and Beltane. Beltane is a Celtic and Pagan celebration that marks the half way point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice with bonfires, the Green Man and a May Queen amongst other traditions.
Sunrise is getting earlier and sunset is getting later giving those of us who live in the South of England approximately 15 hours of light each day in early May. I usually get up about 5am year round and sometimes in May and June I'm awake closer to 4am.In the Spring, Summer and Autumn, I find this to be particularly useful for early dog walks, letting the chickens out, feeding the animals and getting ahead with any bread baking for the day. Being up early also provides the perfect opportunity to listen to the dawn chorus. Sometimes I just stop and listen and enjoy the morning tunes and other times I use my bird identifier app to attempt to recognise the bird song. This morning I heard Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Skylarks, Robins, Blackbirds and Wren amongst others, as well as the Ring Ouzel no doubt returning from Winter in Spain or Morocco and heading to Scotland for the breeding season.
This year Sunday 4th May is International Dawn Chorus Day so why not get up early? The RSPB recommends just before 5am, open your window and sit with a cuppa or head out and about to enjoy the experience. For more suggestions on how to make the most of the hour have a look at the RSPB website.
An enjoyable May 1st article.