For almost three decades now, RTÉ broadcaster Derek Mooney and his team of experts have been bringing the uplifting and fascinating strains of early-morning birdsong to listeners with RTÉ Radio 1's Dawn Chorus.
Winner of both the National PPI Radio Award for Innovation and the coveted International Rose d’Or award, the programme will feature live birdsong and expert commentary to deliver an unmatched live celebration of our natural heritage.
Have you an im-peck-able ear for birdsong? If so take our quiz and if not, just wing it 🤪
— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) May 1, 2023
Let us know how you do and tune into The Dawn Chorus with Derek Mooney from midnight on Sunday May 7th 🎶 🦅@NatureRTE pic.twitter.com/mMze8zXpn3
This year, 'home base' will once again be BirdWatch Ireland's Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve in Cobh, Co. Cork, where presenters Derek Mooney, Niall Hatch, Éanna Ní Lamhna and local ornithologist Alan Farrell will introduce the dawn chorus and, while the birdsong builds in real time, explain to listeners what our feathered friends are getting up to as the sun rises.
Across the country, Dr Richard Collins, Eric Dempsey and Terry Flanagan will also bring us the birdsong from their parts of Ireland, as the sun gradually breaks the horizon and the birds begin their performances.
This year, the show is inviting listeners to get involved and send in their own recordings and live feeds of the birdsong performance happening near them. It could be the sound from a garden, local park or woodland, or even just outside the bedroom window.
"Interest in the natural world has never been higher," says Derek Mooney. "People have a greater appreciation of our flora and fauna and for the songs of our wild birds."
Tune into RTÉ Radio One and RTÉ lyric FM from 00:00-0700 on Sunday, May 7 for the 2023 Dawn Chorus.
