Sharpham Bird Walk: Dusk Chorus - hear nature's music
Saturday 13 May, 6.45pm to 9.30pm
Come and enjoy the ‘dusk chorus’ - almost as good as a dawn chorus but without the ridiculously early morning start!
The mixed landscape of the Sharpham Estate beside the picturesque Dart estuary provides an ideal location for many different bird species, some of which will have just arrived back from their winter quarters in Africa. The birds will be in full song to set up territories and attract a mate.
Thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are able to offer some free and subsided places on this event, for those who would find it hard to attend otherwise. Click the Costs tab above to see the prices.
Our expert Mike Langman will help you to identify the various bird song and calls which should include Goldcrests, Blackcap, Mistle and Song Thrush and the beautiful evening song of the Blackbird.
We might be lucky to hear Treecreeper in song and even a Tawny Owl. In 2019 we discovered singing Firecrests, a first for the Sharpham Estate.
Says Mike: "The dawn chorus is always promoted as being the best time to hear birds - but not so many realise evenings can be very nearly as good. "Blackbird song, my favourite of all our local birds, is actually better in the evenings than at dawn when they usually stop singing before daylight!"
"The beautiful Sharpham Estate provides a good mixture of habitats and bird species - ideal for an interesting and informative walk".
This day is for you if you are:
- adults and children (min 7 years old) of any experience who are looking to discover more about birds and their song
- interested in learning more about the natural world
- a fan of the Great Outdoors
- looking for a fascinating, family event
What should you bring?
- Binoculars if you have your own
- Paper and pen if you want to take notes
- camera if you want to take pictures
- hat
- waterproofs
- good comfy oudoor shoes or wellies
- snack - bring a healthy snack if you get peckish along the way
- bottle of water
This event runs from 6.45pm to 9.30pm.
I left feeling that I'd like to do it again every evening for the rest of the week.
It was so very enjoyable and informative and brought the life of the birds so very much alive to us. Everyone was so appreciative of our wonderfully knowledgeable, sensitive, friendly leader, who carried round his telescope for us to see some wonderful close ups, and provided us with binoculars also. And he seemed to know every utterance of the different birds, large and small.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening over the beautiful estate. I hope you will put it on several times more. Thank you.
Meet outside the Coachyard at the rear of Sharpham House.
Click here and use The Coach House directions for how to find the coachyard at The Sharpham Trust.
Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have a number of free and subsidised places on this event for adults and children, for those who would find it hard to attend otherwise.
Adult £12 – standard cost (helps support and sustain the work of The Sharpham Trust)
Adult £6 – subsidised cost for those who need it (still helps The Sharpham Trust)
Children, aged 7-17, FREE - fully funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund
There is a maximum of 2 children aged 7-17 per adult. Minimum age of 7 years old to attend this event.
Mike Langman
Leaving Art College in 1983, Mike worked for the RSPB at their headquarters in Bedfordshire for 9 years. His work can be seen on nearly every RSPB reserve used as identification cards, murals in information centres and hides as well as on the RSPB website.
A full-time bird illustrator since 1991, Mike has worked for many book publishers, organisations and his work regularly appears in the all of the UK’s birdwatching and BBC Wildlife magazines. To date, he's illustrated 53 bird books. He contributes work as voluntary Art Editor for the Devon Bird Watching and Preservation Society and for 8 years served as County Bird Recorder. His opinion is regularly sought on bird identification problems both at county and national level. Mike travels the SW giving lectures, running birdwatching courses and walks as well as leading foreign birdwatching tours.
How to book easily and securely:
- online on this page
- by phoning 01803 732542
Ring us or email us on [email protected] if you've got any questions.
Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy.
Do check our Calendar to see and book for our events - or join our mailing list by clicking here to be kept in touch about Sharpham Trust news, retreats & events.
