Soundscapes for Birders

Flickers and Sapsuckers at Sheep Creek, Utah

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:24:41 -0600

Northern Flickers and Red-napped Sapsuckers are busy defining spring territory on this (still snowy) mountainside covered with aspen and fir. Here, it sounds like spring before it looks like spring, as you can see from the photo taken on the morning of the recording.

If you need a hint on which woodpeckers are drumming, the sapsuckers have an irregular, syncopated drum while the flickers drum in a rapid-fire, steady rhythm.

Black-billed Magpies are in the distance, and the American Robins are calling, of course.

Sound and Photo are copyright by Kevin J Colver.

Thunder Lizards

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:39:57 -0700

Before birds were birds, they were dinosaurs. Now, through fantastic recreation of sound, you can hear what an ancient Jurassic jungle may have sounded like.

Sounds are copyright by Kevin J Colver. Photos are copyright by Bryanne Colver.

Short-eared Owl by John Hartog

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 09:47:17 -0600

“An early morning sageland soundscape featuring short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) with barks, hoots, wing-claps, flybys and other interesting behavior.
This excerpt begins with the Wilson's snipe winnowing in the distance and a surrounding chorus of sage thrashers, vesper sparrows, and savannah sparrows. Then some rapid wing beats can be heard which sound like two greater sage grouse landing nearby - right in the middle of the ensuing owl activity. Toward the end there are some great flyby sounds from a circling bird my guess is this is a an owl, though it could be a northern harrier as a pair were noticed nearby. Recorded at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Lake County, Oregon, May 20, 2009, 05:31 am.” John Hartog

John Hartog lives in Portland Oregon, and he enjoys visiting natural areas around the state and throughout the Pacific Northwest in search of good locations for quietude, observing nature, and recording.
Through his natural soundscape recordings he hopes to share his appreciation for natural quiet and to promote efforts of natural ecosystem conservation and restoration.

Visit his website at rockscallop.org. Check out his downloadable nature sound albums! You will also want to listen to more of his great natural sounds - click here.

Sounds and photos are copyright 2011 by John Hartog.

Snowy Plover

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 12:00:21 -0600

Unless you spend time lying quietly out on the open mudflats, you are unlikely to hear the calls and courtship activity of the diminutive Snowy Plover. These Plovers were foraging and socializing at the Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge at sunset. Also listen for Killdeer, Savannah Sparrow, and Common Nighthawk.

Sounds are copyright by Kevin J Colver. Photos are copyright by Bryanne Colver.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Coastal Tundra

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:21:39 -0600

I love the liquid song of Lapland Longspurs on the coastal tundra of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Also listen for Red and Red-necked Phalaropes in a puddle, a Longtailed Duck arriving in a nearby pond, and a Semipalmated Sandpiper trilling it’s flight display song in the background. The gurgling sounds in the background are evidence of spring runoff heard in newly thawed rushing creeks.

Sounds are copyright by Kevin J Colver.

Woodpeckers and Loons at Ferd’s Bog, by David Michael

Wed, 2 Mar 2011 12:41:56 -0700

David Michael recorded these sounds at Ferd’s Bog in the Adirondack range. David reports the following species: Pileated Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Common Yellowthroat, Spring Peepers, Common Loon, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue Jay, Red Squirrel, White-throated Sparrow, Vireo maybe yellow-throated, Great
Blue Heron, Downy Woodpecker, and Nashville Warbler. I believe I also hear Lincoln’s Sparrow and Red-shouldered Hawk. What do you think? And, was that a moose walking through the water?

Sounds and photo are copyright by David Michael. David captures stunning natural sounds in stereo and surround sound and makes his sounds available in prolonged recordings on DVD and BlueRay. These sounds from Ferd’s Bog are part of a continuous 3 hour recording on DVD available at http://davidmichael.bandcamp.com/album/life-list. Check out his web site for recordings of other wild places.

Great Horned Owls

Thu, 3 Feb 2011 15:07:17 -0700

Jeff Rice recorded these nesting Great Horned Owls near their nest on Orcas Island, Washington. These are some of the nicest owl recordings I’ve heard. We’re a bit unsure what the owls were up to but I wonder if a rival owl was causing the local pair to get excited and defend their nest.
The ocean and a foghorn are heard in the distance.
Jeff Rice is the organizer and a principle recordist for the Western Soundscapes Archive at the University of Utah.
Sounds and photo copyright Jeff Rice at jeff.rice@utah.edu. Drop him a line and thank him for sharing these sounds.

Dawn at French Mountain, Nova Scotia, by Recordist Mark Brennan

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:46:34 -0700

French Mountain, Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, 4.20AM
Mark Brennan describes the scene:
“I spent 4 days in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in June 2010. My original intent was to try to record the endangered Bicknells’ Thrush which is known to breed in some of the higher elevations of the Park. The resulting recording however is a intricate look at ‘dawn’ in this unique habitat that is made up of dense stunted spruce forests, Tundra and bog. The main species you can hear is the beautiful melody of the Fox Sparrow who flies in at around 3.30 and really begins to sing at 6 minutes, one of my favourites! Others include, Common Yellow Throat, Magnolia Warbler, Hermit Thrush, White Throated Sparrow, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Red Squirrel, Lincolns Sparrow, American Crow, Swamp Sparrow, White Winged Cross Bills (5.37), and possibly a Bicknells Thrush at 5.34, singing right after a Hermit Thrush, you decide! This area is part of the watershed of the Aspy River, you can hear it in the background.”
Sounds and photo copyright Mark Brennan. More about Mark Brennan.

Churchhill, Manitoba by John Neville

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:57:55 -0700

Recordist John Neville brings us to the edge of a lake near Churchhill, Manitoba as he made recordings for his newly released “Bird Songs of the Central Boreal Forest.” Churchhill is a birder’s hot spot destination, famed for it’s variety of arctic and subarctic bird life.
At first a group of Bonapart’s Gulls discusses something of importance. Canada Geese are in the background. Listen for Savannah, Swamp, Harris’, and Fox Sparrows. Whimbrel, and one of my favorites, the Short-billed Dowitcher, are heard. Common Redpolls come and go. An American Robin calls and sings. You will also hear a Long-tailed Duck fly by and the calls of a distant Pacific Loon.
Sounds and photo copyright John Neville. More about John Neville.

Cattle Drive, plus a mystery bird.

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:54:49 -0700

Here is a mystery bird which flew by as a cowgirl and cowboys brought down the last stray cattle off the mountain before winter. The cattle are crossing Diamond Fork creek in Utah. Listen for the faint and brief bird calls starting at 3:12 minutes into the recording, a little past half way. Can you tell what it is? (I know the answer.)
The cowboys may be swearing at the cows, but the cowboys are having a lot more fun at this job than most of us have at ours.
One of the dogs was afraid to cross the rushing creek. You can hear her anxious yelping towards the end of the recording. She eventually got up her nerve, crossed, and rejoined the group.
Sounds and photo copyright Kevin J Colver.

Prairie Thunderstorm

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 16:40:45 -0600

Clouds rise and a thunderstorm moves across the prairie grasslands of the mid-west. Listen for the Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Bobwhite, Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, and a House Wren that sings from a nearby brushy woodlot.
Photo by Mike McDowell who takes beautiful photos of birds and blogs about birding at www.birddigiscoper.com. Sounds copyright Kevin J Colver.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Mon, 4 Oct 2010 16:44:14 -0600

Listen in this aspen and fir mixed woodland situated in the central Rocky Mountains for Ruffed Grouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Common Raven, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Three-toed Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, House Wren, Pine Siskin, Mountain Chickadee, American Robin, Western Wood-pewee, and Cassin’s Finch.
For the techies - Recorded with a pair of Sennheiser ME 62 microphones mounted in a home-made Jeklin disk array to an SD 722.
Photo by Bryanne Colver. Sounds copyright Kevin J Colver.

Sage & Juniper Dawn, Utah

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:18:16 -0600

This patch of desert doesn’t look like much. And, most of the year, it doesn’t sound like much either. However, an hour before dawn in early June there are plenty of birds to hear. A Common Poorwill winds down his predawn song. Common Nighthawks buzz and dive above. Listen for Lark Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Western Meadowlark, Brewer’s Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Juniper Titmouse, and the distant Common Raven, Long-billed Curlew, and Chukar.
Sounds and photo copyright Kevin J Colver.

Ravens in the Mountains

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:46:02 -0600

This pair of Common Ravens are probably courting, although their interactions sound more like divorce court. Recorded in Spruce, Fir, and Aspen, you may also hear Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Olive-sided Flycatcher, American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Western Tanager, and Yellow-rumped Warbler in the distance. This recording is one I refer to as a sound portrait, featuring one species but set in the natural acoustic surroundings in which the species will be heard.
Sounds copyright Kevin J Colver. Photo copyright Bryanne Colver.

White-throated Swift Colony

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:50:02 -0600

A White-throated Swift colony is nestled within the crags of a precipitous canyon cliff. Once the sun warms the canyon, the swifts slice through the air capturing insect prey. Food is abundant, so the swifts have time to vocalize in flamboyant courtship flights and colony contact activity. After you’ve enjoyed the swifts, take time to listen for Mourning Dove, Western Tanager, Dusky Flycatcher, Lazuli Bunting, and even the distant Warbling Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Spotted Towhee, and Juniper Titmouse in the Gambel Oak and Juniper below.
Sounds and photo copyright Kevin J Colver, who risked life and limb to get a microphone up to this colony.

Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Area, Massachusetts

Fri, 14 May 2010 15:20:32 -0600

A breezy dawn in this northeastern woodland is filled with the songs and calls of Wood Thrush, Magnolia Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Spring Peeper, Red-winged Blackbird, Tufted Titmouse, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-capped Chickadee, American Redstart, Blue Jay, American Crow, Baltimore Oriole, and American Goldfinch. Warning, some of these birds are brief and hard to hear, and the list is not in order. This will challenge your talents at birding by ear! Have fun!
Sounds and photo copyright Kevin J Colver.

Greater Sage Grouse Lek

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:46:42 -0600

Greater Sage Grouse are elegant birds of the vast sagebrush plains. The most vigorous males congregate in leks during spring courtship display. For this recording a microphone was planted within a sagebrush to capture the lek sounds, at times only inches away. The occasional wing beat sounds are heard during brief altercations between neighboring males. Females stroll from one male to the next, looking over each, taking their time before choosing the father of this year’s offspring. Sounds copyright Kevin J Colver. Photo copyright Todd Black, Utah State University.

Lytle Ranch Preserve, Utah

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:35:33 -0600

The Mohave Desert extends a toe-hold into southern Utah along the Beaver Dam Wash. Desert scrub along the rushing creek creates a little paradise for the birds. Listen here near the pond for Verdin, Lesser Goldfinch, calls of Lucy’s Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Phaenopepla, House Finch, and Bewick’s Wren. The Nature Conservancy and Brigham Young University have preserved this little gem for the desert creatures and those of us that enjoy them.
Photo copyright Bryanne Colver.
Sounds copyright Kevin J Colver.

Sandhill Crane Migration, Nebraska

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:05:12 -0700

Sandhill Cranes gather by the tens of thousands along Nebraska’s Platte River during their spring migration northward. Listen as several hundred prepare for the morning along the gravel riverbank. Can you also hear the American Robin, Western Meadowlark, and Western Sandpipers?
Photo copyright Mark Yuan.
Sounds copyright Kevin J Colver.

Indigo Bunting, May in Missouri

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:56:37 -0700

This Indigo Bunting sang in a mid-west woodland on a slightly rainy spring morning. Also listen for Eastern Wood-pewee, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, and American Crow.
Photo copyright Bryan Shirley.
Sounds copyright Kevin J Colver.

Thick-billed Murre, Pribilof Islands, Alaska

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Thick-billed Murre nests along the rocky cliffs of St. Paul island. Black-legged Kittiwakes can be heard coming and going to nearby nests.
Photo copyright Bryan Shirley.
Sounds copyright 2007 Kevin J Colver.

Georgia woodland

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:45:04 -0700

This is a summer morning in the woods of Harris Neck NWR in coastal Georgia. How many bird species can you identify? How about the frog?
Photo and sounds copyright 2007 Kevin J Colver.

Katmai Wilderness, Alaska

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:59:59 -0600

Along a quiet stretch of the Nunvianuk river several bird species nest in the willows. Golden-crowned Sparrow, Wilson’s Warbler, Fox and White-crowned Sparrows are all here.
This recording is part of a CD, Katmai Wilderness, available for download purchase.
Photo and sounds copyright 2007 Kevin J Colver.

Common Loon, Manitoba

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:21:24 -0600

A large lake in Manitoba rings with the sounds of Red-necked Grebe, Common Loon, Mallard, Spotted Sandpiper, Song Sparrow, and the whistling wing beats of Common Goldeneye. Do you hear the Northern Saw-whet Owl near the end, adding a bit of song as night gives way to dawn?
This recording was contributed by John Neville and is part of an hour long CD which, along with many other birding CDs, can be purchased at his web site as MP3 downloads. Thank you, John, for sharing!
Photo and sounds copyright 2009 John Neville.

Elk Bugling, Grand Teton National Park

Sat, 3 Oct 2009 22:51:16 -0600

Bird sounds are subdued in late autumn in the Tetons. American Robins are eating Hawthorn berries, Red Crosbills wander in search of pine seeds, and Black-billed Magpies are nearby. And of course the Red Squirrels are preparing for winter.
Oh, did I mention the elk? Bull elk in rut congregate in the Park in numbers unparalleled in nearby public and private lands. They feel relatively safe from hunters here. Several bulls bugle, rake trees with their antlers, and pursue the seemingly disinterested female elk.
Photo copyright Bryanne Colver.

San Pedro River Pond, Arizona

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 22:34:04 -0600

This pond near the visitor’s center at the San Pedro river resounds with birds. Listen for the Mexican Mallard and Common Moorhen in the water. Red-winged Blackbirds, Yellow Warblers, Green Kingfisher, White-winged Dove, Vermillion Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat, Mourning Dove, Gray Hawk, and a beaver tail slap are also heard.
Photo copyright Bryan Shirley.

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:30:02 -0600

Jeff Rice, principle recordist for the Western Soundscape Archive, contributes this dawn recording from King Canyon. Can you hear the Cactus Wren, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Verdin, Gilded Flicker, Gila Woodpecker, Curve-billed Thrasher, Spotted and Canyon Towhees, and Gambel’s Quail?
Photos copyright Jeff Rice. About Jeff Rice.

Rufous Hummingbirds, Rocky Mountain Wildflower Meadow

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:53:42 -0600

Rufous Hummingbirds have found a colorful patch of nectar-rich wildflowers in a Rocky Mountain meadow. Competition between feeding birds results in some angry chatter and high speed dog fights. A Broad-tailed Hummingbird flies by, his trill heard right at the first of this recording. Most other bird species have fallen quiet this late in the summer, although a Lincoln’s Sparrow is heard once and Pine Siskins fly by. Bees are also here, working the wildflowers alongside the hummingbirds.
Photos copyright Bryanne A Colver.

Great Gray Owlets, Wyoming

Sun, 2 Aug 2009 23:16:40 -0600

By leaving my recorder stationed in a forest all night, I was able to listen in on the screeching calls of three juvenile Great Gray Owls. Each has to compete with it’s siblings, begging for the attention of a harried parent.
Juvenile photo to right, adult below. Photos copyright Bryanne A Colver.

Bufflehead Ducks, Wyoming

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:37:28 -0600

Bufflehead Ducks and Barrow’s Goldeneye ducks are active along the bank of Two Oceans Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Aspen and willows line the lake, full of Yellow and MacGillevray’s Warblers, Warbling Vireos, Willow Flycatchers, and a Swainson’s Thrush.
Photos copyright Bryanne A Colver.

Aspen Grove, Utah

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:32:24 -0600

As summer progresses the bird song is dramatically diminished, but the birds are still here. A Northern Flicker sounds like a carpenter, methodically working the trees for grubs. Chipping Sparrows search the meadow for seeds. A Brown Creeper still sings his brief song. We hear Mountain Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, and Pine Siskin. This year Red Crossbills are working the nearby conifers for pine seeds. They are often heard flying overhead.
Photo copyright Bryanne A Colver

Two Oceans Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 11:49:12 -0600

Again at Two Oceans Lake, listen for Brown-headed Cowbird, Warbling Vireo, Northern Flicker, Yellow Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, MacGillevray’s Warbler, Sora, Wilson’s Snipe, and Sandhill Crane. Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Willow Flycatcher are barely heard in the distance.

Lincoln’s Sparrow at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Sun, 5 Jul 2009 17:11:32 -0600

Two Oceans Lake is a less visited but worthy destination in the Grand Teton National Park. Mixed conifer, aspen, and underbrush at the lake shore have attracted this Lincoln’s Sparrow. Wet leaves are still dripping from an overnight shower, but now a clear sunrise is in progress.
Listen also for American Robin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Swainson’s Thrush, Red Squirrel, Chipping Sparrow, MacGillevray’s Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Western Tanager, and Gray Jay.

Hermit Thrush, Utah

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:11:16 -0600

The flute-like song of the Hermit Thrush is one often listed among favorite bird songs. By special listener request, this Hermit Thrush is presented, along with a Warbling Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Tanager, Mountain Chickadee, and a Common Raven. Listen carefully. Some of these birds are heard only briefly and some only distantly.

Pyrrhuloxia at Big Bend National Park, Texas

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:04:51 -0600

This desert wash is dominated by the songs of Pyrrhuloxia in spring.
Can you also hear the Cactus Wren, Scaled Quail, and Black-throated Sparrow?
Photo copyright Bryan Shirley www.bshirleybirding.com

Snowy Egret Colony, Utah

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:32:37 -0600

Snowy Egrets are establishing territory in this damp patch of reeds at Fish Springs NWR in Utah. White-faced Ibis use the area for roosting and may also be establishing nesting sites.
Listen also for Marsh Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, Black-crowned Night-heron, American Bittern, Redhead, American Coot, and Forster’s Terns in the distance.

Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 17:15:24 -0600

Among birders, Cave Creek Canyon earns it’s reputation as a prime birding destination. A lush riparian canyon floor is rimmed by spectacular cliffs and hills, all filled with exciting birds.
Listen for Arizona specialties such as Elegant Trogon, Painted Redstart, Grace’s Warbler, Hepatic Tanager, and Dusky-capped Flycatcher along with common birds of the west such as Stellar’s Jay, Western Wood-pewee, Western Tanager, and Bewick’s Wren.
Photo copyright Bryan Shirley www.bshirleybirding.com

Pacific-slope Flycatcher in the Redwoods, California

Tue, 19 May 2009 19:59:09 -0600

Deep in the redwood forests of northern California a Pacific-slope Flycatcher sings a dawn song. Later, listen for his upslurred call.
Can you hear the band of Chestnut-backed Chickadees nearby? Stellar’s Jays call in the distance and a Winter Wren is singing his long and complicated song. An Acorn Woodpecker is present.

Snipe and Rusty Cowbird, British Colombia, Canada

Mon, 4 May 2009 20:18:22 -0600

Ever been on a Snipe hunt? Wilson’s Snipe are often located by ear. Here on a thawing mountain pond we hear the snipe calling while another winnows in flight above. The pines sway and crackle in spring winds.
Rusty Blackbird, his numbers dropping at an alarming rate, still sings from the trees along this shore. The Greater Yellowlegs has arrived and calls in competition with another for territory along the bank in the distance.
Photo copyright Bryan Shirley www.bshirleybirding.com

Black-crowned Night-herons at Sunset

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:47:37 -0600

Back at Fish Springs NWR in Utah, a patch of bullrushes has been adopted as a roost for a group of Black-crowned Night-herons. Marsh Wrens are singing on territory, American Coots are back for spring, and a pair of Pied-billed Grebes remain hidden but duet boldly from the reeds every 10 minutes or so. Listen for fly-by’s including a Long-billed Curlew, California Gulls, and a female Canvasback. Hard to hear in the distance are Yellow-headed and Red-winged Black-birds, American Bittern, Canada Goose, and Green-winged Teal.

Painted Bunting, Lost Maples, Texas

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:42:57 -0600

Painted Bunting, Northern Cardinal, Canyon and Bewick’s Wrens and Yellow-breasted Chat are heard from this open meadow near a rocky cliff face. You will want to spend the day wandering Lost Maples, a beautiful and peaceful place that will charm the birder and non-birder alike.

Virginia Rail, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Utah

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:13:05 -0600

The night was moonless, the chill was deepening, and the metronome clicking song of Virginia Rails had gone on for hours. At 01:30 an American Wigeon dropped into the marshy pond, setting off some comments from drowsy neighbors. A Mallard flew in. Then a coyote got his pack song started, setting off a challenge song from a distant pack. The coyotes started the distant Sora’s singing and calling. Despite the darkness, a Marsh Wren sings a few notes. Towards the end of the recording a female Mallard gets noisy and a female Green-winged Teal gives her worried quacks.
If you have good ears and good speakers/headphones you may hear the Great Horned Owl hooting in the distance. Even harder to hear is the hooting of a Short-eared Owl about 20 seconds into the recording followed about 15 seconds later by the rattling wing claps the owl makes in a display flight. The rattling is heard distantly again later in the recording.

Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, Wyoming

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:05:53 -0600

Seedskadee NWR in central Wyoming was active with waterfowl this month. The Green River remains ice free and the refuge ponds thaw during the day and refreeze at night. On a warm afternoon this pond had Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Mallards, Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, and a distant Redhead.

Bentsen-Rio Grande, Texas

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 18:13:53 -0700

The Rio Grande welcomes visiting birders from the American Birding Association! You won’t want to miss the trails of Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park.
Green Jay, White-tipped Dove, White-winged Dove, Clay-colored Robin, Plain Chachalaca, Olive Sparrow, Northern Beardless-tyrannulet, Great Kiskadee, Mourning Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, Brown-crested Flycatcher; they were all there in fine form on this May morning.

Midnight at a Tyrannosaurus Rex Nest?

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:55:27 -0700

Are birds dinosaurs? Imagine a Triassic jungle birding trip. You’ve had a great day and settle into your little dome tent for the night. As the dark night progresses you realize with some degree of terror that you have camped near a T rex nest. Sleep is out of the question as you lie stone still and wonder how effective might be the T rex sense of smell?
Using time manipulation technology we can travel back to a fantastic world, nighttime in a Triassic jungle.
I’m just playing around here so if you only want serious birding scenes you’ll want to skip this, but, if you want to let your imagination run wild, turn out the lights, close your eyes, and turn up the speakers.

Black-capped Vireo, Devil’s River, Texas

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:33:50 -0700

Devil’s River is a great place to seek the rare Black-capped Vireo. This male sings from a patch of scrubby brush along the dirt road leading in to Devil’s River. Listen for Cactus Wren, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, and others in the background.

Woodland Morning, Missouri

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:55:47 -0700

As the morning progresses we listen for American Robin, Northern (Yellow-Shafted) Flicker, Eastern Wood-pewee, Baltimore Oriole, and Blue Jay. A Red-bellied Woodpecker and a Northern Cardinal are in the background.
Photo copyright Bryan Shirley www.bshirleybirding.com

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:59:24 -0700

The coastal plain of the ANWR is a vast expanse of tundra habitat. Life is abundant here but creatures are spread out over large areas, thus a large area is required to preserve them and patience is required to observe them. With time, nature reveals herself.
Do you hear the Arctic Fox calling? A pair of Sandhill Cranes are nesting and calling nearby, a second pair replies. Tiny puddles have just melted and attract Red-necked Phalaropes. Red Phalaropes fly by. One of my favorite shorebirds, the Pectoral Sandpiper, chugs his call at the water’s edge, you might hear his song in the distance right at the end of this recording. A pair of Northern Pintail Ducks have rested in the puddle and later, worried about the fox, nervously take flight. Ever-present, Lapland Longspurs can be heard calling in the background.

Pond at Southmost Preserve, Nature Conservancy, Texas

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:26:48 -0700

The Nature Conservancy has preserved precious and rare habitat along the Rio Grande in southern Texas. Border fence construction threatens the integrity of this habitat. A pond, just behind the home of the preserve manager, is filled with life. Listen for Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Black-necked Stilt, White-tipped Dove, Northern Mockingbird, Mourning Dove, Common Moorhen, and, just at the end of the podcast, a brief appearance of the rare “Brownsville” subspecies of Common Yellowthroat. My apologies for distant traffic sounds, the newsworthiness of the Preserve prompted me to present this soundscape so that all might enjoy the sounds of this threatened pocket of subtropical life.

Northern California Beach

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:17:43 -0700

This one is just for relaxation. Waves on the sandy beach are a background for White-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, and an American Goldfinch, all nesting in coastal scrub. Did you hear the Barn Swallow fly by?
Photo copyright Bryan Shirley www.bshirleybirding.com