Expert: Roger Lederer - 12/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: I live in San Francisco California, I was born and raised in Southampton England.
Would you know why we don't hear birds singing here in SF and where could I go in America to hear them like I used to in England, especially dawn chorus.
Thank you,
Alan

ANSWER: Well, it simply depends on where you like. If you are in central SF, you won't hear it. If you go to Pt Reyes, north of you , you will. I doubt if you'd hear a dawn chorus in London or Birmingham, either. Big cities just don't have a dawn chorus, but you will hear one anywhere in the world that isn't over-civilised.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I would love to find birds singing here in SF / CA like they do in a large enough city like Southampton.
I have traveled and stayed in a lot of places in California in the last 25 years, it just doesn't happen. I'm surprised I don't read or hear more about this subject.
For a example, if you watch any British program here, being a news interview or film etc, you here birds chirping / singing, you listen to the same type of programs in the States, you won't here it.
Where do you live Roger.
I really would love to know where you can hear them.
Thanks for responding so quickly.

Answer
Well, as I said, Pt. Reyes is one place. Mt. Tam probably another. Any place away from the city early in the morning would probably work. I live in Chico, CA about 175 miles north of you. I have heard dawn choruses lots of places in California and all over the world. Wherever there is a decent bird population not perturbed by civilization you should hear one. It is pretty universal. If you are interested and able,come up to Chico sometime and we'll go hear one together.