Nature features

But according to Andy Boroff, the County Parks Ranger based at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, you should make the effort.

"It's something a lot of people miss. It's a nice thing to experience at least once in your life. Just get out there, listen to those birds, it doesn't matter if you don't know what they are."

Birds-a-plenty

Andy says there are a host of birds you can listen to at most times during the year.

In March 2008, BBC Radio Nottingham's John Holmes met up with Andy at 5am. For two hours they listened to the birds and ticked off a robin, tawny owl, song thrush, blackbird, great tit, gold crest, crow and wood pigeon.

Named after its song - the song thrush!

Why sing?

The reason birds make an early morning cacophony is to make their presence known.

"It's establishing their territory," says Andy.

"All the males are saying "I'm here," trying to attract a female and trying to keep out the other birds as well."

Do it yourself

Regardless of where you live, Andy Boroff believes everyone can listen to the birds as long as you get up early enough.

"Wherever you are, even in suburbia, you can imagine that once there were great forests and woodlands that have now disappeared. But now the birds have adapted to living in our gardens, so you can still get the same effect."