Wild Bird Acoustics
Alan Dalton
A journey into the wonderful world of field recording birds in their natural environment. Join me at Wild bird Acoustic's to experience incredible soundscapes of wild birds, here in Sweden and further abroad. The podcast will feature sound magazines, trips to wild places and interviews with sound recorders from all around Europe and beyond. I hope it will appeal to those who seek a relaxing audio experience, which can help contribute to mental well being and provide an outlet for those who might wish to escape the stress that modern life can generate. I further hope to draw together a community of field recorders, birders and outdoor enthusiasts, in order to share the sounds of wild birds and places from all over the world....
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 Wild Bird Acoustics Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Wild Bird Acoustics episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Wild Bird Acoustics for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Wild Bird Acoustics episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
The Magic of Midsummer
Wild Bird Acoustics
07/01/24 • 68 min
In this episode I discuss some of the wonderful species available in Sweden during the month of June. During the midsummer period here in Sweden, some special species appear in Sweden. In 2022, I made a special effort to locate several scarce breeders and the result was some superb audio of a range of incredible songsters...
The latter half on the podcast will bring us to the Baltic coastline of Västerbotten in Northern Sweden. Here in this remote and quiet area, summer breeding species provide the focus for my field recording efforts and here I will introduce you to a wonderful location, the tiny island of Hällögern. This will serve as an introduction to an area I have spent many happy weeks exploring, as I talk you through my efforts sound recording at this picturesque and largely undisturbed part of the world. A place that remains relatively secluded and undisturbed by modern standards, it makes the perfect environment for the field recorder to work in....
00:00 Introduction to Wild Bird Acoustics
01:08 The Evolution of the Podcast
01:50 Exploring the Sounds of Midsummer in Sweden
03:08 The Magic of field recording at Night
03:39 Field recordings of summer species...
13:52 An outstanding Nocturnal Mimic
36:34 The Sounds of Northern Sweden
44:17 The Use of Passive Recorders
01:05:25 The Future of Wild Bird Acoustics
01:07:14 Conclusion and Call to Action
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
The Quest for Common Pochard
Wild Bird Acoustics
03/01/24 • 54 min
In this, the seventh episode of Wild Bird Acoustics, we follow my quest to record an elusive duck species, Common Pochard. My eventual aim was to field record the species remarkable courtship display, you can follow that journey in the first section of this podcast. Apart from discussing the challenges of locating and recording this elusive species, I share several other bird recordings captured during these outings, such as the amazing calls of Northern Goshawk, a displaying Little Grebe, singing Goldcrest, and Eurasian Jay mimicking other species' calls.
Following this initial section, I will take you to the Stockholm Archipelago in late autumn, on a rather special day in November, when all the stars aligned and I managed some wonderful audio of some rather special Swedish bird species....
00:20 Introduction to Wild Bird Acoustics
00:35 The Quest for Common Pochard
01:22 The Challenges of locating breeding Common Pochard
03:40 The final piece of the Jigsaw; Common Pochard's Courtship Display
04:55 Another Journey to Norra Djurgarden
05:06 The Encounter with Common Pochard
06:40 Other Encounters: Coot and Little Grebe
08:43 The Successful Recording of Common Pochard
23:04 A Surprise Encounter with Northern Goshawk
31:16 The Final Recordings and Reflections
32:20 Preview of the Next Episode: Autumn in Landsort
33:20 The Field Magazine: A Day in Landsort
33:40 The Search for Spotted Nutcracker
34:24 Encounters with Bohemian Waxwing and Northern Bullfinch
47:26 Success! An audio recording of Spotted Nutcracker...
53:08 Conclusion and Call to Action
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
An Interview with Terry Townshend
Wild Bird Acoustics
02/16/24 • 79 min
http://blogbirder.blogspot.com/2024/02/an-interview-with-terry-townshend-wild.html?m=1
In this podcast episode, I talk with Beijing-based birder, Terry Townsend. We discuss an incredible nocturnal migration project that Terry has been heavily involved in, which has shed light on Asian bird migration over on of the most populous cities in the world. We also delve into Terry's experiences, birdwatching and recording in various locations such as Beijing, Inner Mongolia, and the Tibetan Plateau. The episode also includes playback of various of various field recordings made by Terry at these remarkable locations. We talk about Snow Leopards on the Tibetan Plateau, the rising interest in birding in China among the people who live there and so much more...
00:00 Introduction to Wild Bird Acoustics
00:37 Special Guest Introduction: Terry Townsend
01:57 Interview Begins: Terry's Background and Birding Journey
04:00 Birding in China: A Growing Interest
05:13 Terry's Conservation Efforts in China
07:10 The Valley of the Cats Project: A Sustainable Eco Initiative
15:02 The Impact of the Valley of the Cats Project on Local Communities
20:47 The Nocturnal Migration Project in Beijing
32:05 The Future of Bird Conservation in China
36:42 Bird species recorded in the Nocturnal Migration Project
38:23 Discussion on Bird Calls and Frequencies
39:06 Discussing recorded audio over Beijing
40:34 Some insights into Asian nocturnal flight calls
41:04 Nocturnal Bird Migration over Beijing
41:41 Random Asian Bird Species by Sound
53:49 Diurnal Recordings from China/Mongolia and discussion
01:12:22 The Beauty of Bird Sounds in undisturbed habitat
01:14:04 Conclusion: Thoughts on the future of Bird Sound Recording
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
Wild Bird Acoustics
02/01/24 • 72 min
In this episode of Wild Bird Acoustics we move into the Spring season, a time when birds are beginning to flood back into Sweden. The landscape is gradually filled with the sounds of newly returned species, which begin to set up their territories in preparation for the breeding season to come.
This episode is filled with some lovely audio for listeners, so sit back and relax and enjoy the sounds of Spring...
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
Winter Recording in Sweden
Wild Bird Acoustics
01/01/24 • 44 min
Having decided to launch the podcast on New Year's Day, it seemed only fitting it should be themed on winter field recording. Here in Sweden, the landscape is harsh and cold in the depths of winter, but for the field recorder, this can be a rewarding time to venture out into the cold. Sub zero tempertures mean that crystal clear recordings can be made, with the wonderful sounds of freezing ice, falling snow and meltwater streams adding to the ambience of the Swedish countryside. Here, you can get lost in the woodlands and enjoy the sounds of winter. Silent, natural soundscapes can be enjoyed in serene settings. Immerse yourself in the sounds on Sweden during this wonderful season with Wild Bird Acoustic's....
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
It's a Wrap; The Season Finale
Wild Bird Acoustics
09/01/24 • 102 min
In the final episode of the opening season I begin with a lovely sound magazine of random recordings made here in Sweden, with some wonderful recordings of a wide range of species for the listener's to enjoy...
I talk a little about my thoughts for the upcoming second season, with a few thoughts on the direction of the podcast in the future as well as discussing the journey of the podcast to date.
A second sound magazine deals with nocturnal migration, before a third concrening diurnal migration is presented. Both of these detail vocalizations of migrating birds in the skies over Sweden, a subject that I am deeply interested in. I hope these will be informative and of practical use for enthusiasts of birders with an interest in this area.
Finally, I finish with a wonderful, long recording of a special species, a wonderfully atmospheric recording of very high quality, which I hope listeners will enjoy.
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
Early Summer in Sweden; Binaural Recording in Västerbotten
Wild Bird Acoustics
07/16/24 • 76 min
Episode 17 of Wild Bird Acoustics see's me take listeners deep into the world of early Summer soundscapes of Sweden, comprising audio recorded in June 2022. The episode delves into carefully selected audio recorded at various locations, including Stockholm City, Snosätra, Angarn Reserve, Vallentuna, Sandemar Reserve, Landsort, Nacka Reserve, and Hällögern in Northern Sweden. I discuss bird species such as Blyth's Reed Warbler, Collared Flycatcher, Corn Crake, Great Reed Warbler, Icterine Warbler, European Nightjar, and Marsh Warbler. I also share thoughts about the equipment used for field recording, and encourage listeners to venture out at night, in order to field record night singing species. Toward the end, I introduce some fantastic binaural recordings from Halligan in Västerbotten, which I hope will be a fully immersive audio experience for listeners, with some wonderful surround sound recordings shared in the second sound magazine of the episode.
00:00 Introduction to Wild Bird Acoustics
00:38 Summer Recording experiences in 2022
02:23 Exploring the Sounds of Summer in Sweden
02:41 Mimicry; Blyth's Reed Warbler
09:23 Collared Flycatcher
12:34 Corn Crake
16:00 Great Reed Warbler
20:37 A Master Singer; Icterine Warbler
29:08 A nocturnal Nightjar Experience
35:41 Marsh Warbler at Hagby Eco Park
42:45 Binaural Recording at Hallegern
45:12 The immersive sounds of Hallegern in July
01:00:33 Hobby
01:02:18 Little Gull
01:09:39 Spotted Redshank
01:11:43 Tufted Duck
01:14:34 Conclusion and call to action
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
The Sounds of Summer; July in the Far North
Wild Bird Acoustics
06/16/24 • 58 min
In this episode, I take listeners on an auditory journey through the sounds of the bird world in midsummer Sweden. The podcast depicts the vivid acoustics of several bird species in their respective habitats, specifically during the month of June when many scarce species can be unearthed on breeding territory. Summer birding emphasizes the importance of recognizing bird sounds over visibility due to lush vegetation. Here, I explore habitats like wetlands, woodlands, and even urban spaces. Bird species featuring here include Collared Flycatcher, Great Reed Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, European Nightjar, Spotted Redshank, and Little Gull, among others. I hope the podcast successfully immerses the audience into the tranquil wilderness of Sweden through the audio presented...
Following a whistle stop tour of the areas around Stockholm, I will bring you north, to the peaceful island of Hällögern. Here, in July, I have spent hundreds of happy hours recording the soundscape in this remote and pristine landscape. It is a pleasure to record here and be able to share the sounds of Northern Sweden with you all here on Wild Bird Acoustics.
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
The Night Singers
Wild Bird Acoustics
06/01/24 • 53 min
An episode devoted entirely to the wonderful nocturnal world of bird vocalization. In the feature sound magazine, I start with an unforgettable night spent at Angarn Reserve, a recording session that was carried out completely under the cover of darkness. I visited the area in the hope of recording Spotted Crake, a well known nocturnally displaying species. This was a night that will live long in my memory as everything went according to plan. Spotted Crake were present in breathtaking numbers and their song strophes were ringing out all over the wetland. The darkness further revealed many other night singers. Join me as I talk you through an incredible night out in the field and share some quite incredible audio with you as I do so...
Staying on the nocturnal theme, late summer and early autumn will soom be upon us and this is when my mind turns towards recording migration, once again. My second segment of the episode will detail some rather nice nocturnal audio from a host of nocturnally migrating species. All of the audio here has come from my Landsort listening station, a wonderful venue to record nocturnal migrants.
Join me for this carefully edited soundbite, a wonderful introduction into the world of the night singers...
00:01 Introduction to Wild Bird Acoustics
00:44 Exploring the Magic of Night Singing Birds
02:24 The advantages of Field Recording at Night
05:10 An unforgetable night at Angarn Reserve
06:07 Various recordings from the Reserve
07:22 A Nocturnal tour of Angarn Reserve
26:44 Nocmig Corner: Nocturnal Migration
28:00 Exploring the Sounds of Nocturnal Migration at Landsort
50:32 General discussion about Night Recording
52:57 Conclusion and Farewell
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
Late Spring at Sandemar Reserve;
Wild Bird Acoustics
05/16/24 • 64 min
In this episode of Wild Bird Acoustics, I will take listeners on an audio journey into Sweden's birdlife. The initial site for this episode is the Sandemar Reserve, located southeast of Stockholm city which is noted for its diverse range of bird species. Sit back and listen to the sounds of this wonderful venue, as I share captured sounds of various species including the Common Rosefinch, Marsh Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Common Redshank, Common Snipe, and Northern Lapwing among others. Although road noise poses a minor distraction, it is generally manageable and doesn't diminish the overall field recording experience.
A second sound magazine, comprising more recent audio from 2023, will further immerse the listener in the wonderful late Spring soundscape here in Sweden, a time when the countryside is, quite simply, alive with birds.
The episode concludes with an encouraging note to listeners to engage more with birds in the field and I hope this may encourage a few listeners to consider possibly taking up field recording as a hobby.
00:00 Introduction to Wild Bird Acoustics
00:49 Exploring Sandemar Reserve in Sweden
02:36 Recording Techniques and Challenges
03:40 First Sound Magazine: Field Recording at Sandemar Reserve
24:25 Reflections on Podcasting and Sound Recording
25:02 Second Sound Magazine: Late Spring in Sweden
26:04 Future Plans and Challenges for Wild Bird Acoustics
01:02:51 Conclusion and call to action.
Lots more audio related material here at my long running website;
https://blogbirder.blogspot.com/
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does Wild Bird Acoustics have?
Wild Bird Acoustics currently has 20 episodes available.
What topics does Wild Bird Acoustics cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Sound, Mental Health, Nature, Podcasts, Science and Birds.
What is the most popular episode on Wild Bird Acoustics?
The episode title 'Early Summer in Sweden; Binaural Recording in Västerbotten' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Wild Bird Acoustics?
The average episode length on Wild Bird Acoustics is 68 minutes.
How often are episodes of Wild Bird Acoustics released?
Episodes of Wild Bird Acoustics are typically released every 15 days.
When was the first episode of Wild Bird Acoustics?
The first episode of Wild Bird Acoustics was released on Jan 1, 2024.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ