Every summer for over two decades, Euroradio Member RTÉ has brought the sounds of early morning birdsong into Irish homes. Now, thanks to an unprecedented collaboration among public radio broadcasters in Ireland, Norway, the UK, Russia and the Netherlands, listeners across Europe will be able to wake up to the “dawn chorus”, the sound of millions of birds across the continent singing in order to lay claim to their territory or to attract a mate.

As it moves from east to west with the rising sun, the dawn chorus represents a genuine link among all Europeans, transcending national borders and cultures.

Derek Mooney, Executive Producer of Nature Programmes at RTÉ, says: “There is indeed something very special about the dawn chorus. It is ideally suited to radio: indeed, it’s hard to think of anything that is a more natural fit. We think it’s high time that radio listeners in other countries should have the chance to enjoy this amazing connection with the natural world.”

This year, as part of an unprecedented collaboration between RTÉ and fellow Euroradio Members, an international Dawn Chorus will be broadcast on Sunday 1 May from midnight to 6:00 Irish Standard Time live via satellite (Saturday 30 April 23:00 to 5:00 GMT to Sunday 1 May 5:00 GMT). Derek Mooney and his team at RTÉ will bring listeners the full splendour of this unique phenomenon live from across the continent. Experts will be on hand to explain to listeners what is happening, in real time, and to shed light on the hidden lives of these incredible birds.

Euroradio Members may either take the full broadcast overnight, or just the final hour, from 4:00 to 5:00 GMT, when the birdsong reaches its peak and the dawn chorus is at its finest.