For almost three decades now, RTÉ broadcaster Derek Mooney and his team of experts have been bringing the uplifting and fascinating strains of early-morning birdsong to listeners with RTÉ Radio 1's Dawn Chorus.

Winner of both the National PPI Radio Award for Innovation and the coveted International Rose d’Or award, the programme will feature live birdsong and expert commentary to deliver an unmatched live celebration of our natural heritage.

While Derek Mooney steers the ship from the RTÉ studios in Dublin, 'home base' for the live broadcast once again this year will be BirdWatch Ireland's Cuskinny Marsh Nature Reserve in Cobh, Co. Cork, where Jim Wilson and Niall Hatch will introduce the dawn chorus and, while the birdsong builds in real time, explain to listeners what our feathered friends are getting up to as the sun rises.

Across the country, Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Eric Dempsey and Terry Flanagan will also bring us the birdsong from their parts of Ireland, as the sun gradually breaks the horizon and the birds begin their performances.

The birds starling perching on the wire of a power line
Getty Images

This year, the show is inviting listeners to get involved and send in their own recordings and live feeds of the birdsong performance happening near them. It could be the sound from a garden, local park or woodland, or even just outside the bedroom window.

"Interest in the natural world has never been higher," says Derek Mooney. "People have a greater appreciation of our flora and fauna and for the songs of our wild birds."

The Dawn Chorus 2024 will take place on Sunday, May 5, from midnight to 07:00 on RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ Lyric FM & BBC Radio Wales.