Out of Doors

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Factual: Science & Nature

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Out of Doors: Waking Up to the Dawn Chorus

Waking Up to the Dawn Chorus

BBC Radio Scotland - Out of Doors, Waking Up to the Dawn Chorus

Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with stories from the great outdoors.

Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with a bird-themed programme to mark International Dawn Chorus Day, which falls on Sunday 2 May.

It’s a bird themed programme this week as we mark International Dawn Chorus Day which falls on Sunday 2 May. 

Mark has been meeting two of those behind the North East Scotland Bird Report.  An incredible example of citizen science, the report has been published since 1974 and is currently receiving more entries from bird watchers across the North East than ever before.  Mark hears why it’s important as he has a walk round Inchgarth Reservoir on the outskirts of Aberdeen to see what birdlife he can spot for himself.

The King George V Memorial Playing Field in Rothiemay, known locally as the Lossat, has been run by trustees since it was gifted to the village in 1949.  Mark finds out about its important role in village life

Our midweek podcast this week features author Roger Morgan-Grenville.  His latest book Shearwater: A Bird, an Ocean, and a Long Way Home, tracks the journey of the Manx Shearwater.  He tells Mark and Euan about his fascination with this seabird. 

Saturday 1st May is Beltane, the Gaelic May Day festival.  We are now around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice and Euan has been delving into the Beltane traditions to tell us more.

As we celebrate the Dawn Chorus, we find out that not everywhere across the UK experiences it in the same way. Helen Moncrieff works for the RSPB in Shetland and she’s sent us a recording of what the birds are up to first thing in the morning on the cliffs at Sumburgh Head. 

Once again BBC Radio Scotland is involved in an International Dawn Chorus Day broadcast on Sunday morning.  Organised by RTÉ Radio 1, this year’s Celtic Dawn programme features contributions from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.  We’re joined live by Niall Hatch, one of the programme presenters who’ll be broadcasting from BirdWatch Ireland’s Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve in Cork.

As travel restrictions across Scotland relax and visitor attractions and accommodation opens up, Mark’s been to Loch Tay to try out a new loch cruise experience run by Loch Tay Safaris and the Scottish Crannog Centre.
	
It wouldn’t be a dawn chorus special without a mystery bird. Euan tests us once again with a bird-brained mystery.

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