The Experimental Ecologies group in the Sussex Digital Humanities Lab works across disciplines to address sustainability issues at so called “human-environment” interfaces. A key issue is the very idea that humans are separate from the rest of the living world. One strand of work explores creative practice as a means to bring culture and nature back together and help us recognise the intrinsic importance of the natural world and our place in it through the simple act of listening. 

Sunday 4 May marks International Dawn Chorus Day 2025. The dawn chorus is the symphony of song performed by birds looking for love, and to defend their patch.

Here some things things you can do this Dawn Chorus Day. Get involved!

1. Ecosocial Breakfast walk for Brighton Festival 

Co-created with Hospitable Environment and Ecomusicology Project, members of the public will be invited to attend a dawn sound walk through Stanmer Park, ending at the Ecomusicology Project plot, where we will share a breakfast and our reflections.

Book your ticket: https://brightonfestival.org/whats-on/X9W-festival-of-ideas-dawn-chorus-day-ecosocial-breakfast-walk/

2. Aural Pluralities Meet Up 

If you are interested in environmental sound and/or diversity as methods or subjects of research, come to Stanmer Park Ecomusicology plot and meet sound artists, scholars and professionals for an afternoon of listening, learning, experimentation and reflection with others. Hosted by Alice Eldridge with guest artist @jamie_perera and members of @soundartbrighton and the @ecomusicologyproject, we offer a range of listening activities in the Ecomusicology plot and invite you to reflect on how we adapt what we do when we are outside, listening and playing, with others? 

Get your FREE ticket: https://ticketpass.org/event/EHMAAO/auralpluralities-network-meet-up-dawn-chorus-day 

3. REVEIL 

Tune in online to the sound of the dawn chorus as it circumvents the globe.  The experimental ecologies group will be live streaming from the dew pond of Brighton’s urban rewilding site Wilding Waterhall. 

Tune in to the global event via the Soundcamp website here. Or listen in to the Dew pond any time (usually streaming Mon – Weds) here https://streams.soundtent.org/2025/streams/utc1_-97093ace-aacd-4f4d-8fc8-13e224373518

This stream has been set up as part of the Wild House project, funded by Ecological Citizens. 

 4. Go outside and listen!

If you are lucky enough to live near a park or in the countryside, make 10 mins to stop and listen! 

Enjoy DAWN CHORUS DAY 2025!