Blackbird is nation's early bird

Blackbirds are heard even before dawn

Blackbirds and robins are the birds which rise first in the midwinter for breakfast, a report suggests.

Nearly 5,500 people across Britain took part in a survey to see which species got to bird tables first.

Blackbirds arrived within 13 minutes of first light and robins after 16, while the great spotted woodpecker was the laziest, arriving after just over 32.

The research was carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) with the BBC's Today programme.

Shortest day

Volunteers got up early on Tuesday, 21 December - the shortest day - to carry out the research.

Their brief was to record which species arrived at feeders or bushes laden with berries first, after the longest night of the year for the birds.

THE EARLY RISERS Blackbird - 13 mins Robin - 16 mins Blue Tit - 19 mins 30 secs Song Thrush - 21mins 54 secs Dunnock - 22 mins

The BTO wanted to discover more about the arrival patterns of birds in gardens to feed after dawn in the midwinter.

Experts believed birds would arrive at different times depending on their roosting habits and energy requirements

THE SLEEPY HEADS Great Spotted Woodpecker - 32 mins 12 secs Goldfinch - 30 mins 12 secs Greenfinch - 30 mins Starling - 29 mins Collared Dove - 28 mins 48 secs

Results, which are currently being analysed, will also show if birds rise earlier in the south, compared to their northern cousins.

'Overwhelmed'

Mike Toms, who organised the survey, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the fantastic response we have had to this survey.

"So many people have taken the time to get up early and record what has been happening in their gardens and the results make very interesting reading.

"The presence of blackbird and robin in the top four was something that we had predicted might happen.

"All three species are known to sing at night, spurred on by artificial street lighting, so perhaps it is not surprising that they are up and about so early.

"In fact, many observers reported blackbirds and robins feeding under street lighting before it was light enough to see the feeders and bird tables."

Many volunteers reported hearing blackbirds before dawn.