the dunnock

Our beautiful hedge sparrow commonly known as the Dunnock has to sing blissfully and loud to attract a female. Many of our native birds which are sombrely clad have to sing loud and clear to be noticed. The male of the species has little variety in his song, however his song is reedy, high pitched and musical and has a joyous ring. He will sing throughout all of the seasons, sometimes way into the night whether the sun is shining or the mellow moon is floating in the spring sky above. He will sing for the joy and for the life beating within him.

When in full plumage he’s a decidedly attractive little fellow, he is brown with dusky streaks with his head throat and breast a shade of slate grey, he is truly hardy. The Dunnock however, needs to show his architectural skills at nest building and with his bright eyes dancing and with mutinous determination he will build several nests for his suitor to inspect. If she likes one of his little sanctums she will shuffle her wings in approval as the breeding season commences. A name fondly used to describe her action was ‘Shufflewing’.

Their nest is a charming little affair with clear blue eggs possessing a beauty all of their own. The nest consists of fine roots, grass, moss and delicate feathers to line the bowl and being one of the earliest to nest even before the leaves form on the hedge. They will feed their young all manner of insects with a provision of butterflies and moth pupae, all fully capable of satisfying these birds throughout the winter. He is inoffensive, quiet and with a natural skulking habit, nevertheless he will fight a rival furiously when spring arrives. Their nest is also a preferred site for the Cuckoo to lay her single egg and have the offspring reared by the Dunnock.

What a truly remarkable little fellow he is.