Chapter 1: The Mystery of Early Risers

What motivates humans to awaken at such early hours when it isn't necessary? This tendency can disrupt the tranquility of the morning for those who genuinely need to be up.

This narrative unfolds at the wildlife rehabilitation center known as Pomorski Ośrodek Rehabilitacji Dzikich Zwierząt „Ostoja.” To support Ostoja, you can make a donation [here](#) or [here](#). While the sites are in Polish, the Google Translate browser plugin can help. Alternatively, donations can be made through my PayPal, and if you include “Ostoja” in your comment along with your email, I’ll confirm that your contribution was successfully sent to them.

In a previous article, I detailed my preparations for an owl search near the rehabilitation center where I volunteer. Based on the species brought to Ostoja, I anticipated spotting tawny and long-eared owls, and perhaps even a boreal owl if luck was on my side.

The "ultra night" mode on my camera may not yield the best quality images, but it’s important to note that it was the darkest hour of the night. At 1:20 AM, I reluctantly stepped out of the camper after attending to the squirrel. Surprisingly, it was quite warm, and the full moon offered some clarity, although the darkness was still palpable.

To minimize my time in the forest, I opted for a longer route along the edge of the fields. I hoped to catch a glimpse of some raptors hunting for mice hiding among the wheat, but my search so far had proven fruitless. The only new bird I encountered (mostly through sound) was the Eurasian curlew, which was camouflaged in a reedy pond amidst the fields.

I continued my walk, inadvertently disturbing protective dogs in nearby homes, which confirmed my status as anything but a dog lover. With no owls in sight, I decided to venture into the forest to find a suitable spot for recording audio.

I was glad I had brought along a sleeping bag. Lacking any form of insulation, it was certainly better than nothing. Although the night was warm, the chill began to creep in as each minute passed. However, this discomfort would soon be overshadowed by a more pressing issue.

At precisely 4:07 AM, an unexpected noise erupted from 1-3 kilometers away. Mechanical saws began to whir, and while I was aware of some tree removal in the area, I had not anticipated it starting so early—before the official dawn. Typically, the disturbances from civilization commence around 5:30 to 6 AM, never earlier, even during summer.

With no owls encountered and songbirds starting to sing by 3 AM, I had managed just one hour of recording, planning for at least two more.

I wandered around for a while before deciding to head back to Ostoja, as the distant noise from tree cutting was likely to scare away any birds.

On my way back, I was greeted by the sight of mist hovering over various small ponds. Unfortunately, as a birdwatcher, I lamented that these ponds were likely too small to attract waterfowl, as they remained empty regardless of when I passed.

Thus concluded my outing—a bit underwhelming yet not entirely without merit. Despite waking at 1 AM after five days of only three hours of uninterrupted sleep, I managed to transition from my previous routine of 7 to 15, which I will elaborate on in a future post. Now, I’m off to bed, hopeful that all the owls in the vicinity are also resting, preparing for my next nocturnal adventure.

Like this narrative? Access more tales like this on Medium.

Enjoy my bird recordings? Feel free to incorporate them into your own projects.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Early Waking

In the video "I Tried Waking Up at 5 AM for 30 Days and it Changed My Life," the creator shares their transformative journey of embracing early mornings and the benefits that followed.

Another insightful video, "The Wild Reasons Many Older People Wake Up So Early," explores the intriguing factors that lead older individuals to rise before dawn, revealing both biological and lifestyle influences.