Getting up at four in the morning might not be at the top of most people's agenda. Unless you're a milkman or someone who has clearly had far too much to drink, it's not a time most of us get to experience.

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One group of nature-loving Leeds folk, however, took it in their stride when they braved the morning chill to meet up at Temple Newsam to witness the sun rise on Saturday.

They were part of a 36-strong party which had got up early to meet at 5.30am sharp in the courtyard at Temple Newsam.

The air was crisp and fresh as the sun edged up over the skyline, spreading a thin, pale light over dew-covered fields which rose and fell, cradling tiny pools of mist in hidden dells. Around us, filling the air, was a growing symphony of birdsong, at once beautiful, calming and full of wonder.

Over the last decade or so, the annual dawn chorus walk has become a popular fixture on the Leeds country manor's calendar.

Its rolling acres of mixed woodland provide a perfect habitat for plenty of wildlife, not least among them birds, whose dawn chorus is a pleasure to behold.

The walk, guided by the illuminating David Thorpe, former head ranger and now visitor services manager at Temple Newsam, consists of a three mile trek through the woods, with the sole intention of listening to – and perhaps spotting – native British birds.

And just in case you are in any doubt, David does a mean impression of several kinds of birds.

David, 44, said: "I would say about three quarters of the people we take out know a little about birds and bird songs. On this walk we concentrated on getting people to identify woodland birds. It's not easy to see them but you can hear them. We wanted to get people using their ears and eyes.

"We had a real find on this trip as we came across a woodpecker and a greater spotted woodpecker, which is quite rare."

He added: "I am not a Bill Oddie but I do know most of the birds here at Temple Newsam. I can do impressions of some of them. What we like to do is to come up with analogies to help people remember them. So, for example, a chaffinch's song is a bit like a bowler running up to the crease in that it gets quicker and quicker and then has a longer part."

In parts of the woodland, the raucous screaming of crows dominated but deeper into the woods, the birdsong became more varied, like a thousand different instruments being played to some unseen musical score.

The odd squirrel could be spotted darting out of sight up a tree trunk, whilst other, unseen animals could be heard scampering through the undergrowth.

Julie Wynne Thorpe, 50, education officer at Temple Newsam and wife of David, is also a keen bird watcher.

She said: "We have been doing this walk on and off for about 12 or 13 years now. It is perennially popular. We could have booked it twice over but we feel people benefit from being in a smaller group. It's a bit more personable.

"At Temple Newsam we have a good mix of countryside. We have open areas, some wetlands, the farm and, of course, the woodland. It's perfect for birds."
Among the birds which were spotted on Saturday were the chiff-chaff, willow-warbler, black-cap, nuthatch, treecreeper, yellowhammer, skylark, dunnock, mistle thrush, song thrush, great tit, blue tit and wren.

John Meeham, 57, from Leeds, who took part in the walk, said: "I really enjoyed it, particularly when we were in the woods on the far side – the main problem was cutting out the sound of the motorway. I would definitely recommend it to anyone."

Jane Roffey, 57, also from Leeds, said: "I've always had difficulty in distinguishing birds, so to have them pointed out to me was marvellous."
Bill and Sue Clark, from Cross Gates, also managed to make the early-morning start.

Bill said: "We are not birdwatchers as such but we put feeders out in the back garden and we thought we would try to identify some birds.
"We set off at about 5.45am. It is an early start but I think anyone would enjoy it. It's quite pleasurable. It's nice to have a walk round and hear the birds in the fresh air."

The walk, which cost £7.50 (£5 concessions), concluded with a full English breakfast in the courtyard just up from the farm.

The annual dawn chorus is one of a number of guided walks laid on by park staff throughout the year.

Forthcoming events include the bat and broth walk on Sunday August 16, which takes place at night and involves the use of bat detectors to track the winged mammals; and the fungus foray on Saturday and Sunday October 11 and 12, from 2pm. Both events need to be pro-booked on 0113 246 5535.

* For information on all events at Temple Newsam, ring 0113 264 5535; or visit: www.leeds.gov/templenewsam