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The dawn chorus is the collective singing of wild birds, as a new day dawns. The chorus is at its most vibrant and energetic around 30 minutes either side of sunrise between 5am and 6am in early May. It's a vibrant soundscape where birds use their songs to attract mates, establish and claim territories, and announce their presence to other birds. The dawn chorus is most prominent during the spring breeding season but it can be heard throughout much of the spring, summer and early autumn. By mid-March lots of our resident birds are in full song and by mid-April, the song of migrant birds is added to the symphony which reaches its peak in early May. Daybreak is the best time to hear the chorus. Birdsong has been shown to carry 20 times further at dawn, when the air is still, making all that effort to attract a mate much more effective. Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and Robins are among the first to rise, starting things off when the air is still, and the lights are low. Popular songsters like Wrens and warblers, such as Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers and the tits and wood pigeons gradually join in until we have the full orchestral spectacle. Our contribution to that national database of dawn chorus soundscapes. This recording of the dawn chorus was made at Pooh Sticks bridge in Brockham on 30/04/25. Using the Merlin App, I4 different birds were identified as contributing to the symphony. Our intention is to create a sound map by recording bird song in different parts of the 4Bs.
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 Friday night witnessed a packed village hall in Boxhill to listen to Glenn Carmichael give his Wild Birds of the 4Bs talk. The beautifully illustrated talk (slideshow provided below) combined with humorous stories, was warmly received by an interested and curious audience. The event was a good example of collaboration between Re-Betchworth’s 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative and Julie Lever and the Boxhill Village Hall team, who kindly provided the venue and refreshments as well as promoting the event. Glen, who leads the Dorking Branch of RSPB, invites residents of the 4Bs to join him for a bird spotting walk on Friday May 16th (see below). GLENN'S POWER POINT SLIDES 
BOXHILL RESIDENTS CARE FOR THEIR WILD BIRDS 29 members of the 46 strong audience kindly completed a questionnaire aimed at understanding how the residents of Boxhill were helping their wild birds. A copy of the questionnaire is provided below. Boxhill residents clearly do care about their wild birds. Out of a possible 14 different ways of helping birds the average score was 10.7 out of 14, with a range of 5 to 14. OPEN INVITATION TO JOIN OUR BIRD SPOTTING WALK Glenn will be leading a bird spotting walk FRIDAY MAY 16th10.00-12.00 for residents of Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Boxhill. There are 20 places available on a first come first served basis. To reserve a place email [email protected] Please be at the entrance to Boxhill Lookout Car Park by 09.55.   We are on the verge of the annual no-mow May campaign, so I was disappointed to see that the grassy road verges on the south side of the A25 have been drastically cut. Cutting road verges in April is not good for wildflowers and for biosiversity in general. The best time to cut road verges for biodiversity is typically in late summer or early autumn, allowing wildflowers to flower, set seed, and support pollinators. Many wildflowers are in their prime flowering period in April, so cutting them stops them from reproducing. Allowing wildflowers to mature and set seed is essential for their survival and propagation in subsequent years. Cutting in April interrupts this cycle. Wildflowers provide vital food sources for pollinators like bees and butterflies during their peak activity period in the summer months. Cutting in April disrupts this food source. The best time for cutting is typically after the main flowering period, which is usually from mid-July to the end of September. According to Plantlife’s The Good Verge Guide, over 700 species of wild flowers grow on our road verges, that’s nearly 45% of our total flora. Road verges are home to many familiar wild flowers that are now becoming threatened, such as harebell, field scabious and ragged-Robin. Some 87 of these are threatened with extinction or are heading that way, including the largest British populations of rarities such as Deptford pink, tower mustard and spiked rampion. The Good Verge Guide provides excellent advice on the management of road verges so why isn’t the Highways Authority using it? Clearly, we have now lost our spring flowering species and may well have destroyed many of our summer flowering species for this year. So much for integrated planning policies that are supposed to protect wildlife and nurture biodiversity. Plantlifes The Good Verge Guide
This movie draws attention to the beauty, productivity and biodiversity in the road verges in and around Betchworth. Gardening, like life, is a Journey Eight years ago, I took on an allotment plot as a complete novice. Like many beginners, I turned to Google for guidance and was quickly led down the path of the “perfect” allotment: neat beds, trimmed grass, and everything precisely in its place. I even purchased an online planner and meticulously plotted every detail—crop rotation schedules, seedling quantities, and symmetrical layouts. While that method works wonderfully for many allotmenteers, it never quite clicked for me. Where was the life in such a controlled space? Where were the buzzing pollinators, the bees, the plants that would bring vibrancy and health to the plot? Where were the natural predators that keep slugs in check, and the companion plants that fend off pests like blackfly?   So, to cut a very long eight-year story short(!), I’ve finally landed at a place that feels right for me. This season marks a turning point. There are feeders for small birds, a small wildlife pond full of plants, wildflowers have been sown, and the crops I will grow will be right amongst them because I’m companion planting now.  Companion planting involves planting two or more plants together to form an association from which both or all plants benefit. A long-established and popular practice in the garden, companion planting can potentially create efficient use of space, reduce disease and deter unwelcome insects, and allow plants to provide each other with physical support. I’m planting nasturtiums with broad beans, and french marigolds (tagettes) with tomatoes. Will fewer crops be lost to slugs or blackfly? Will the pond attract dragonflies, newts, and other new visitors? Only time will tell but I will be watching carefully over the next few months. What I do know is that I am trying to create better conditions for a greater diversity of plant and animal life to flourish, like that shown in this photo. If nothing else, this year’s plot will be a kaleidoscope of colour—a feast for the eyes, heart and stomach! Photo credit https://www.allotmentonline.co.uk/companion-planting Cathy Honey is a resident of Betchworth and an active contributor to the 4Bs Nature Group and Biodiversity Initiative  Encountering a thicket of Blackthorn in full bloom is one of nature’s delights. Blackthorn blossoms in March and early April with clouds of snow-white flowers before its leaves emerge. It’s early appearance makes it a vital source of early spring nectar and pollen for pollinators like honeybees, short-tongued bumblebees, and mining bees. Blackthorn is a hermaphrodite, meaning both male and female reproductive parts are found in one flower. After pollination by insects, the flowers develop into blue-black fruits which can be used to make sloe gin. Spiny and densely branched, mature trees can grow to a height of around 6–7m and live for up to 100 years. This thicket of Blackthorn was found in a small patch of ancient woodland in Betchworth. |
4Bs Nature Group BlogThis blog is maintained by the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative Team. Its purpose is to provide brief updates of activities and encourage the sharing of experiences and learning. We welcome guests and contributions from members of the 4Bs WhatsApp Nature Group and wider community. To contribute a post please email the editor at biodiversityinititiative1 @gmail.com PagesArchives
July 2025
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