Oops! Now I know why you're up so early...

Have fun! (And post that list, sometime. I'd like to see it.)

It does work before sunrise if your ability is like mine. It doesn't work as reliably unless I actually set an alarm - it sometimes works when I think to myself before going to sleep "I'm getting up at 7am", but not consistently.

In my case, I don't use my alarm unless something extraordinary is happening (an early dentist appointment, an airplane departure), so I think the novelty plays into it - if I used my alarm to get up every day for work, I don't think I'd have the same ability.

I also think that it has something to do with me sub- or un-consciously checking the clock during the night, rather than having any sort of sense of absolute time.

According to what I've read, you need to look at the time just before going to bed. It is theorized that you count time until you need to be up, then wake yourself.