Wind Is the Original Radio
This podcast series is aimed at helping us to connect to ourselves and to our earth by deep listening to natural soundscapes. Based on empirical evidence as well as numerous recent studies from all over the world, listening to natural soundscapes (particularly mindful listening) has a great positive impact on our wellbeing, and potentially on our respect for nature. However, these soundscapes are increasingly scarce as we humans continue to destroy the natural ecosystems which produce them.
Tue, April 01, 2025
Interview: Nahun Saldaña
“I prefer to live in the fantasy, not in the desperation of the crisis [...], you know?” This latest episode of Earth.fm’s Wind Is the Original Radio podcast finds site curator Melissa Pons in conversation with Peruvian sound artist and ‘resilient designer’ Nahun Saldaña. In his work, Nahun explores the intersections between soundscapes and sound ecology, especially in relation to climate change and speculative sound future. Together, they discuss: The possibility of using soundscapes to drive the awareness that we all depend on the natural world - and even of using them to make companies prioritise caring for the planet rather than solely the pursuit of profit. The ludicrousness of carbon credits (“Okay, you contaminate, but you pay for the compensation”), but the way that a similar model of mitigation could be applied to noisy manufacturers. The impact of individualism on people’s awareness (or lack thereof) of the sounds that they make and how those sounds may impact neighbours or the broader community around them How, in urban spaces, silence has become a new kind of luxury - one denied to people living in lower-income areas A tendency, within the nature-sound-recording community, to fetishise tragedies in the natural world by recording “the sounds of extinction” or the last examples of particular species, despite this not curtailing those tragedies. Is there an argument for focusing, instead, on “stories of regeneration and flourishing”? Whether sound technology can be harmful, and, if so, is it “more important to teach the kids to listen”? Nahun describes an instructive visit to a small jungle town where younger generations no longer have the ability to recognise specific sounds, such as the sounds of honey-producing bees - meaning that resources are lost as older members of the community pass away. The power of deep listening and the notion of “politicians with a capacity for [...] deep listening”, and what groundbreaking policies might emerge from such a (sadly improbable) possibility. Nahun's one of many projects Escuchadores : a physical structure installed in sound conservation areas conceptualized exclusively to listen and stay in the moment. We hope that you enjoy this episode, including Nahun’s irresistible exuberance and enthusiasm! You can follow him on Instagram , and check out the work - writing, photography, video, sound art, and ambient music - on his (Spanish-language) website .
Sun, March 23, 2025
March Equinox 2025
For this March Equinox we have prepared a 60 minute Listening Party with soundscapes recorded in March from the North to the South Hemisphere. We're celebrating the season's transition and we want to invite you to reflect on how we can better accommodate our lives to our surrounding environment. Tracklist: 01:58 Midnight Forest Frogs - Andy Martin 09:01 Western Capercaillie Makes Vocalizations in Early Spring - Andrus Kannel 12:49 Early Spring Thunderstorm in Beech Forest - Ivo Vicic 25:57 Hippopotamoes Preparing for the Night - Sounding Wild 39:36 Dawn Chorus is Saroluk - Enis Çakar 44:00 RDC Nightwalk in Rainforest - Owl - Gina Lo 47:02 Early Autumn Bushland Dawn near the Coorong - Khristos Nizamis 52:56 Tiny Little River - Verónica Cerrotta 56:24 Between Tree Branches - Melissa Pons 57:22 : Here in There - Melissa Pons You can listen to all of these soundscapes on our free mobile app at https://Earth.FM available for iOS and Android.
Tue, March 04, 2025
Interview: Andy Martin pt.2
“I don't feel like nature is somehow healing me - I feel as if my body is remembering what it's supposed to be like.” Earth.fm’s Wind Is the Original Radio podcast is pleased to share the second part of curator Melissa Pons’ conversation with sound designer and field recordist Andy Martin. (You can find part one here .) Here, in another thought-provoking instalment, Andy shares his thoughts about deep listening, questioning (in part because of the varied ways in which it is defined) the difference from just… listening. In the field, Andy “describe[s] [him]self as a witness”, of anything from “the trickle of water to hummingbirds which are out to kill each other” - but he refutes the idea of there being any “inherent meaning in a soundscape; it just is; it just exists”. Where deep listening often aspires to finding meaning or making a connection - “an intentional beauty or a message within the soundscape” - he asserts his conviction that there are no such intentions, beyond those of individual wildlife. “I can listen in wonder and awe”, but “there's nothing there that is a meaningful, special interaction for me; it is just life existing. If we're looking for a deeper connection, a deep meaning within the soundscape [...] we're missing the reality of what's there, and we're trying to put our own feelings, our own belief systems onto that reality - and that's not my job. [...] My job is to listen and bring forth.” What Andy sees as people’s misinterpretations of the natural world overriding the reality means that, “The moment I hear someone describe a dawn chorus as an outpouring of joy, they've lost me. Because that's what it sounds like to us - but that's not necessarily what it is.” Further topics discussed in this episode include: The idea that, by entering other beings’ habitats, uninvited, recordists make themselves into “voyeur[s]”: “To imagine that I am not making a disruption when I go into that space [...] I think is very foolish” - one of the benefits of rolling out hundreds of metres of mic cables to listen while recording (another being the avoidance of self-noise: “I sniffle, I cough, I shuffle - I make a lot of noise”) The difference between American robins’ dawn and dusk calls and whinnies The close evolutionary relationship between birds, dinosaurs, and crocodilians - plus, a hair-raising story of being alone in a Louisiana swamp, hearing alligators booming in the twilight and legging it for his car. (Really, who can blame him?) Hearing soundscapes in those fog-shrouded swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin change over course of a year and noting the different times at which different species of frogs and insects sing, and the different frequencies in which they do so: Bernie Krause's acou
Tue, February 04, 2025
Interview: Andy Martin pt. 1
In this episode of Earth.fm’s Earth Is the Original Radio podcast - the first of a two-parter! - the site’s curator, Melissa Pons has a wide-ranging conversation with sound designer and field recordist Andy Martin. The insightful and granular conversation explored the following topics: Andy’s relationship with sound throughout his life and career, and what paths led to him dedicating himself to nature field recordings - taking in childhood illness, a love of the Star Wars score, involuntary mimicking of the sounds around him, and a desire for escape Flirtations with piano, violin, and saxophone, which led to music school - where Andy experienced a shift from sound being something he played and listened to actively thinking about it as something with the power to affect the world via feelings and emotions Stumbling from film sound design into video games - different ways of using sound to tell a story How being a stay-at-home father for three years allowed him to experiencing the world via his young daughter's curiosity, and how his desire to learn about the place of sound grew alongside his daughter Starting to record wildlife for computer games, but initially seeing these sounds as “assets” ‘Quietness’ and ‘silence’ and what people really mean when they search for places that offer these things. And what sites without industrial noise, inhabited by more-than-human life, have brought to Andy A nature field recordist's identity and its contradictions in a capitalistic system and in the context of ‘content creation’. How ADHD feels to Andy, and how his experience of the disorder affects his practice and his life - maybe chaotically, maybe beautifully Also: crows! Listen out for part two of the conversation, which will be released soon! Also, below are all of the references mentioned during this episode: Bernie Krause's acoustic niche hypothesis: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269278107_The_Niche_Hypothesis_A_virtual_symphony_of_animal_sounds_the_origins_of_musical_expression_and_the_health_of_habitats Bernie Krause's book, The Great Animal Orchestra : <a href="https://eshop.fondationcartier.com/en/products/
Tue, January 07, 2025
Interview: Chris Treviño
A new turn around the sun and a new episode, this month’s guest being Chris Treviño, a field recordist and sound designer from Michigan with a background in anthropology and currently pursuing a Masters in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology, focusing on ways of knowing his own town through its sound across its history. We’re talking about some aspects of sound as heritage and memory as well as its cultural value in which Chris conceptualizes the notion of sonic time capsule, how we humans relate to sound in different contexts and throughout time, and we also talk about his more recent project in the Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, where Chris spent almost two weeks recording while traversing the island by foot. Please find below all the references mentioned during our conversation: Video games composers: Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu (the Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy series) Steven Feld - Voices From the Rainforest ; the Kaluli people UNESCO heritage designations: h ttps://www.unesco.org/en/lists-designation s The Greek practice of the memory palace: https://artofmemory.com/blog/how-to-build-a-memory-palace/ Antônio Bispo dos Santos: https://futuress.org/community/antonio/ The Tonebenders Podcast episode with Chris: https://tonebenderspodcast.com/277-field-recording-for-the-national-parks-service-with-chris-trevino/ Isle Royale NP: https://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm Chris Treviño SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/chrisatrevino Listen to the full recording of ‘Old Man and Grandson Watch Trains’: https://soundcloud.com/chrisatrevino/old-man-and-grandson-watch-trains Chris’ official website: https://www.chrisatrevino.com/ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisatrevino and on X https://x.com/ChrisATrevino
Tue, December 03, 2024
Interview: Jo Kennedy
Say hello to December with this month's episode, in which we welcome creative sound artist Jo Kennedy, co-director of Yorkshire Sound Women Network and co-producer of the Nature Tripping podcast!. Jo is a field recordist, sound designer, and audio producer who focuses on environmental and ecological projects. Together, we discuss Jo's path between environment and sound;, what listening - whether to anthropogenic sounds or predominantly natural ones - can potentially reveal; the power of novelty and curiosity in sound; rewilded soundscapes; graveyards; and more. It isn’t necessary to experience pristine natural environments in order to fulfil our potential for connecting with other living beings, whatever they may be, and we might find small patches of land near us which are very special. In addition, Jo and Cathy's podcast, - Nature Tripping - https://www.jokennedysound.com/naturetripping -, is wholeheartedly recommended, as is the article mentioned in the episode: ‘"Initiating Ecological Change Through Sound Art – a Review and Short Manifesto" - https://www.jokennedysound.com/blog/initiating-ecological-change-through-sound-art . And see what the Yorkshire Sound Women Network is all about and how you can get involved - https://yorkshiresoundwomen.com/ Thank you, Jo, for the wonderful conversation!
Tue, November 05, 2024
Interview: David de la Haye
Hello and welcome back to the Wind Is the Original Radio podcast! We have been longing to return and are so happy to kick-start this new phase with David de la Haye , an award-winning ecological sound artist focusing on underwater aquatic environments. This episode is a fun conversation - both uncanny and down-to-earth - about listening to underwater sounds and the fascinating experience of recording them. Plus, collaborating to create music from his field recordings and some necessary gear talk. David’s work is informed by his experience as a bassist, composer, and music technician, and by the process of cooperation with other musicians. He shares about how these processes go for some of his latest projects, and about the value of gathering people to make music.Learn more about David and his work on his website , https://daviddelahaye.co.uk/, and consider supporting him on bandcamp : https://daviddelahaye.bandcamp.com/.
Fri, October 18, 2024
Java’s Last Rainforest
Recorded in the misty montane rainforest of Gunung Halimun National Park, this recording features subtle birdsong and the sounds of a distant mountain river. This location is one of the last truly wild places on the island of Java and home to a host of unique wildlife. Recorded by Marc Anderson at the Gunung Halimun National Park, Java, Indonesia
Fri, October 11, 2024
A Secretive Night in a Canyon
A place dominated and overseen by large feathered creatures, acrobatic corvids and smaller virtuosos. Nearer the ground, the arched-formations of rock provide a refuge to others, from doves with their splashing wing beat sounds to mammals like red foxes, whose sounds are amplified and travel like an upwards spiral. This amplification serves as a delicacy to my ears, bringing closer to my perception many tiny movements, many of which are hair-raising. Maybe it's merely the darkness operating its dominating power over us or perhaps it's this intriguing dance between near-silence and the appearance of nocturnal creatures - both animals and rocks, for the latter feel alive on their own. The easily heard species in this recording are the tawny owl ( Strix aluco ) and the Griffon Vulture ( Gyps fulvus ). This is a specially quiet recording, so an equally quiet listening is recommended. Recorded by Melissa Pons in Spain.
Fri, October 04, 2024
Gentle Wind at Dusk in the Savannah
The breeze bring some freshness in the evening during the hottest month of the year. This is the time when wildlife gets out of the hides to feed. Recorded by Sounding Wild in Outamba Kilimi NP, Sierra Leone
Fri, September 27, 2024
Taman Negara at Night
Taman Negara is a large area of protected rainforest on the heart of the Malaysian peninsula and home to an abundance of wildlife including tigers, leopards and elephants. This recording features the sounds of a myriad of insects calling from deep in the forest at night. Recorded by Marc Anderson in Taman Negara, Malasya
Fri, September 20, 2024
Western Cascade Frog Pond
Spring in the Pacific Northwest is typically a damp rainy season. Snowmelt from the Cascade mountains and frequent cloud cover causes streams, and rivulets to pop up along mountainsides swelling the rivers in the valleys. This particular valley, like many in the western cascade range, has many small marshy areas surrounded by tall evergreen trees. By April the nights are filled with sounds of the Cascades Frog and a persistent white noise from nearby flowing water. Lengthening days, a dawn chorus starts early and quiets down as a rain shower approaches. This region of Washington is the ancestral lands of the Stillaguamish People. Recorded by Nick McMahan , Washington, USA
Fri, September 13, 2024
A Very Long Chat
I have a tradition of recording for the week around Summer Solstice every year. The long days and extended twilights draw out the liveliest and most expressive Dawn Choruses of the season. This year I’m in Sinlahekin Valley in Washington State’s Okanogan High Country. It’s a deep, long scar on the ground gouged and left behind by retreating arms of the Cordilleran Ice Sheets of the last several glaciated ice ages. Arid steppes on one side, fir-covered mountains on the other, the Valley draws a line that separates two of the major ecological regions in our State. Running much of the length of the Valley is Sinlahekin Creek, a meandering, beaver-controlled system that sustains a narrow strip of wetlands and riparian borders favored by passing migratory birds. Deep enough to not sustain strong wind, the Valley is a valuable shelter, sometimes for passing birds to rest, sometimes to stay. One of those birds is the Yellow-breasted Chat, a laconic-yet-vociferous songbird with a voice both louder and deeper than belies its small size. One of the more enigmatic songbirds of North America, the Yellow-breasted Chat is widespread across the continent but rarely found in dense numbers. It skulks about in dense riparian thickets and other shrubby habitats, nesting deep within and singing from a barely-exposed perch. More often heard than seen in late Spring and early Summer, when males produce long soliloquies in search for a mate (or sometimes two), they have a brief but explosively creative burst of song every year, only to remain silent for the rest of it. Recorded on Summer Solstice, 2024, this particular singer was a surprise. I had been hiking around one of my favorite valley campgrounds, enjoying the recent explosion of late-Spring songbirds, when I noticed a thicket that was particularly favored by local Lazuli Buntings. Nice Bunting recordings being a goal of this trip, I quickly set up a lightweight hiking recorder with a pair of small mics to leave overnight in hopes that Buntings could have time to sing as they saw fit. Imagine my surprise when listening back to the recordings and found more than an hours’ worth of a Yellow-breasted Chat singing close by, as if I’d set these microphones up just for him! Our Chat wakes up early in Nautical Twilight with a burst of whistles to rattle the neighborhood. After a brief rest, he begins his soliloquy of repeated grunts, rattles, beeps, and whistles. Soon, less than a minute later, the first distant songs of the next Chat over can be heard in the background. They space themselves out along the riparian border of Sinlahekin Creek just close enough to still be heard, far enough away to give each other space. While most birds sleep in and wait for more light, including Robins and Blackbirds, Nautical Twilight is their moment to sing. For most of the next two hours this little bird will sing from the same perch, only occasionally shifting directions as if he wants to be su
Fri, September 06, 2024
A Lively Spring Afternoon in the Montado
Recorded in the Spring of 2022, this soundscape has all the indicators of a warm day: pollinators, a variety of crickets, occasional frogs and a rich multi-layered display of bird song. It's one of the quietest places I know, allowing an equally quiet observer to listen to all the layers and make up a sonorous composition of this place weaving it in one's imagination. These are the most prevalent bird species one can hear in this recording: Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos ) , Common Quail ( Coturnix coturnix), Golden Oriole ( Oriolus oriolus ) , Eurasian Collared Dove ( Streptopelia decaocto ), Eurasian Hoopoe ( Upupidae ), Corn Bunting ( Emberiza calandra ), Little Owl ( Athene noctua ). The Montado is an unique system, existing only in the Iberian Peninsula although slightly different from the Dehesa, in Spain. As far as we know, human intervention has started during the neolithic period, favouring certain trees for their high yielding fruits that feed the animals, and others for their cork. Despite such intricate connection and millennial relationship, the Montado is in decline; this system is incredibly fragile and faces a number of grave threats today, from diseases that affect trees and wild rabbits to overgrazing, to privatization of enormous areas of land for mono-crop exploitation, leaving the soil impoverished and triggering the increase of chemical use, which will then infiltrate underground. Thus it is imperative and urgent to take care of this emblematic land.
Fri, August 30, 2024
Island Forest with High Tide Approaching
You can hear the tide slowly approaching in the distance, with activity from all sort of birds in this patch of green in one of the busiest islands of the Bijagos Archipelago. Recorded by Sounding Wild in the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau
Fri, August 23, 2024
Bushland Afternoon
Afternoon ambience from bushland in the New England tablelands region of New South Wales, Australia. A light breeze blows through the canopy of the eucalyptus woodland and in the background, birdsong drifts on the cool mountain air. Recording by Marc Anderson at the Mummel Gulf National Park, NSW, Australia
Fri, August 16, 2024
Dawn Birds in the Sage
High and dry. There is hardly anything here. No water, no trees, just a small two-track (dirt road where people have driven enough times to form a road, but the ground has never been graded), and a distant horizon. The terrain appears endlessly flat, but after some time walking, I cannot see my car anymore. No towns, people, highways, or aircraft. A strange silence seems to be suspended in the still air. I sit down in the sagebrush and the wind calms. Looking closer I see various small wildflowers growing in clumps, thoughtfully placed near roots and sage. I lay down. It doesn’t feel dirty here. The dusty soil is cool, almost soothing. Eyes close, it is not long before a whir of wings pass not far overhead. Quickly followed by another and a hushed chirp. Something imperceptible has shifted. There is another soft chirp. Another whir, over to the left. Then a trill. Gradually building, a mesmerizing chorus of Brewer’s sparrows and a steady drumbeat of a common poorwill in the distance weave the song of this quiet sage land. These sounds were recorded on the ancestral land of the Northern Paiute people. Exceptionally low-noise microphones in various arrays capture the delicate sounds of the environment. If you would like to know more please get in touch. Recorded in the Basque Hills, Oregon, USA by Nick McMahan
Fri, August 09, 2024
Golden Mantled Howlers at Dawn
Recorded in December 2023 on my first — but not last — trip through Costa Rica, a troop of Golden Mantled Howler Monkeys in Costa Rica’s Parque Nacional Corcovado greets the dawn and their neighbors (and the rest of the jungle) the only way they know how. Male mantled howlers have an enlarged hyoid bone, a hollow amplifying bone near their vocal cords that gives the ability to generate great “howling” calls that can heard for kilometers. Howling allows the monkeys to exercise territory and remain in contact without expending energy through movement or bearing the risks of physical confrontation. As someone who likes little more than sitting in a forest listening to nature speak, I approve of this lazing behavior. While this howling is their most well-known vocal characteristic, I’m rather fond of the popping and grunting that warms up to the howl and pads the time in between. It’s relatively quiet, and is most noticeable only when near the vocalizing howler. You can hear it throughout their first round of howling the beginning. After speaking with other recordists, I know I am far from alone as someone who loves their sound, but I may be one of the few that enjoys waking up to their calls. Every morning I heard this nearby was a morning I walked to breakfast with a big silly grin on my face. Neotropic birds come and go throughout the recording, but one persistent voice was the Yellow-throated Toucan, with a rhythmic, bouncing song that seems to carry on forever. There is at least one singing for most of this recording, and later, after the this first hour, a pair begin a duet. Also coming and going are raucous and noisy Scarlet Macaws and Red-lored Parrots, a lone Red-eyed Tree Frog, a visiting Little Tinamou, and more. I’m out of my depth when it comes to identifying neotropical birds, so I’ll let rest of the ecosystem speak for itself. Recorded by Andy Martin at Parque Nacional Corcovado, Costa Rica
Fri, August 02, 2024
Ascending Into The Night
This segment of a dusk chorus in the summer-arid region of Vale do Côa, Portugal, is somewhat a reverse story from the dawn chorus recorded in the same period, although fading out much quicker into a windy night, when low whispering bursts take the place of the singing birds. In addition to the most audible and easily identifiable species, we can also hear the cuckoo here and there. Other species listed: Golden Oriole ( Oriolus oriolus ), Red-backed Shrike ( Lanius collurio ), Common BlackBird ( Turdus Merula ), Common Nightingale ( Luscinia megarhynchos ), Common Wood Pigeon ( Columba palumbus ), Common Quail ( Coturnix coturnix ). Recorded by Melissa Pons , in Portugal
Fri, July 26, 2024
Pinsapo Forest Dawn
Dawn chorus from a rare pinsapo (Spanish fir) forest in the mountains of Andalucia. Starting softly at first light, the song of a Eurasian Robin is the first to herald the new day. As the day brightens the songs of many other species fill the air. In the background the soft tinkling of bells can be heard from goats on a distant hillside. Recorded by Marc Anderson at Parque Nacional Sierra de las Nieves, Spain
Fri, July 19, 2024
Dawn Chorus in Zarnesti with Tawny Owl
Recoding by Seán Ronayne, in Zarnesti, Romania
Fri, July 12, 2024
Trumpeter Swans on a Winter’s Eve
A coveted silence drenches the deep valley. Winter at it’s finest. With closed eyes, I discern the distant white noise of a creek flowing beneath the snow. Alongside one of the small lakes, a coyote crosses the ice on the opposite shore, noticing my presence as well. As early dusk descends, a small flock of Canadian geese flies overhead, their honking resonating against the steep valley walls—a common sight during this season. The geese are nearing a lake that has a unique nearly musical echo emanating from it. The chatter of trumpeter swans who have made this pond home for the winter. Evening light fades and the swans move to various nearby water sources that have not frozen, greeting each other with loud echoing calls. Moments of silence are equally piercing in this winter valley. Recorded by Nick McMahan in the Washington River
Fri, July 05, 2024
Dawn Chorus in the Savannah
A classic quiet Savannah dawn chorus from this part of the world. Recording by Sounding Wild at the Outamba-Kilimi National Park, Sierra Leone
Fri, June 28, 2024
Midnight Insect Chorus Near Corcovado
Growing up in the mid-Atlantic states of the US and with roots and time lived in the Deep South, few sounds bring me to a state of transcendence like the orchestrated song of insects at night. The spectrally tight but densely-layered score of hundreds or thousands of insects pulsing, ratcheting, trilling, buzzing, and singing in concert is soothing my the ears and the best sleep-aid I can experience for myself. There’s so much life in a chorus, and it’s not only insects. Frogs occasionally beep. Bats flutter by. The occasional leaf drops from the canopy. This is my happy place. Recorded on the last night of a stay in a private lodge on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, near Parque Nacional Corcovado. Recording by Andy Martin at the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Fri, June 21, 2024
Evening Chorus in the Amani Nature Forest Reserve
Recently we visited a beautiful paradise in the Eastern Arc Forests of Tanzania—the Amani Nature Forest Reserve. This reserve protects the unique, biologically important sub-montane forest ecosystem of Tanzania’s East Usambara Mountains. Home to unique and endemic biodiversity, the reserve contains stunning flora, fauna, and trails to explore. Our guide suggested visiting the lesser-traveled Kiganga trail. True to his word, as soon as we left the small town adjacent to the forest, we were greeted by the quiet tranquility of the forest. The only sounds were the distant sound of Zigi River flowing through the forest and the high-pitched calls of cicadas in the canopy above. We stopped to listen for a while before choosing a tree to set up the recorder. At dusk, the loud cicadas gave way to the more nocturnal animals—crickets, bats, and hyraxes. The hyrax’s call occasionally rose above the crickets, echoing through the forest all night! Field recording by Martha Mutiso in Tanzania
Fri, June 14, 2024
Danum Valley Afternoon
A breezy afternoon in the lowland rainforest of Sabah, Borneo. Although the birdsong is more sparse than earlier in the day, many birds are active and can be heard calling and moving about in the the surrounding forest. Recorded by Marc Anderson
Fri, June 07, 2024
Full Moon Reef at LINI Aquaculture and Reef Restoration Project
An excerpt made from a long form stereo reef recording made at full moon in June 2018 above the reef at LINI, North Bali. LINI is an NGO dedicated to community development through sustainable fisheries in north Bali, Indonesia. Their work includes aquaculture to mitigate illegal fishing for the aquarium trade, reef restoration and capacity building in local communities to nurture sustainable livelihood. This recording was made with a pair of aquarians into a Zoom H4N, secured in a waterproof barrel on a raft tied to a buoy above the most mature reef restoration area. Amongst the sound of the shrimp, you can hear various fish chatting, grunting and farting – message me if you know who the mermaid is. Recording by Alice Eldridge
Fri, May 31, 2024
Hippopotamus Preparing for the Night
Recorded in Sierra Leone by Sounding Wild
Fri, May 24, 2024
A Jittery Dawn Chorus With Golden Orioles, Red-Backed Shrikes and Nightingales
What does Nature sing on a place that has seen blood spilled in behalf of kingdoms’ territory dispute, species extinction and the abandonment of land? During the whole time I spent in this region, that was on my mind. It was psychologically difficult and the rocky and dry shrubs didn’t offer much solace. I think about the attempts of land domination and how a harmonious and reciprocal relationship could reflect on the landscape. This recording invites us to listen with an open mind. The main species on this recording are: Golden Oriole ( Oriolus oriolus ), Red-backed Shrike ( Lanius collurio ), Common Blackbird ( Turdus Merula ), Common Nightingale ( Luscinia megarhynchos ), Common Wood Pigeon ( Columba palumbus ), Common Quail ( Coturnix coturnix ). Recorded by Melissa Pons in Portugal
Fri, May 17, 2024
Earth Day Listening Party Replay
Hello friends! This episode is a very special edition - a replay of our Deep Listening Party on Earth day in YouTube. This version is a 2 hour edit and you can follow the timestamps below. To listen to the recordings in their full length visit our page at https://earth.fm A big heartfelt thank you to all who sent their messages, named their favourite recordings and to all that contribute with their wonderful sounds. 00:00:00:00Vince Chanter - Ravens at Dusk00:01:29:16Cata's welcome message00:04:19:17Khristos Nizamis - Stirrings at First Light00:07:18:02Mel's welcome message00:07:57:14Melissa Pons - Andalusian Dawn (unpublished)00:10:53:04George Vlad - Winter Wind in Snowy Forest00:11:12:07Brother Spirit's message00:18:37:29Vladimir Archipov - Dreams of Bears00:23:04:14Seán Ronayne - Deluge at Dawn00:31:44:29Seán's message00:32:41:21Verónica Cerrotta - Florestas00:38:11:11Melissa Pons - Nocturnal Lullaby00:38:17:03Jocelyn Lauzon - Barred Owl00:39:19:23Vladimir Bocharov - Early Morning near the Village of Lnikha00:41:54:15Hannu Jännes - Capercaillie Lekking00:43:28:15George Vlad - Borneo Rainforest Afternoon Soundscape in the Jungle00:46:08:00Giselle Rooganoon - Aerial Ballett00:47:54:00Kjetil Hoidal - Osstrupen Underwater Soundscape00:51:50:00David de la Haye, Jez Lowe - Hidden Sounds (Binaural)00:53:33:15Jacob Bentz - Supersition Dawn00:53:42:16Jacob Bentz's message00:56:23:24Nick McMahan - Niobrara River00:57:44:12Nick McMahan's Message00:58:49:06Jan Brelih - Thunderstorm in the Himalayas01:00:34:00Christine Hass - Sonoran Desert Sunrise01:03:16:04Melissa Pons - Iberian Wolves01:04:34:01Mel Wolves01:07:17:27Félix Blume - Active Volcano01:10:41:05Gene Flipse - Humpback Virtuoso01:17:36:15Laila Fan - frogs at Menghuan01:17:43:23Veronica Cerrotta's message01:20:20:00Mélia Roger -Bubbles in a Pond01:23:41:26Ivo Vicic - Evening Calm Life of Birds in Spring01:24:33:04Rachel Butt's message01:30:36:08Martha Mutiso - Evening Chorus Amani Forest Reserve01:35:36:00Sam Lee01:45:33:15Mustard Lake - Dawn Chorus at Thol Sanctuary01:48:26:17Mat Eric Hart's message01:48:37:02Mat Eric Hart - Saikan Temple Rainfall01:53:56:00Isaac Amoasi Arkoh - Evening in Ankasa Jungle
Fri, May 10, 2024
Autumn Night
This recording was made at night, in a valley. About 400 meters away from the recorder there is a big Fig Tree. It is a very, very big tree and every time its big heavy leaves fall, you can feel the sound they make when they touch the ground. The sounds of nocturnal insects create a homogeneous texture that highlights the stillness of the night. Silently a horse appears grazing. Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Verónica Cerrotta
Fri, May 03, 2024
Incoming Tide at Gold Bluffs Beach
This was recorded on a cloudy evening during an incoming tide on Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, part of Redwood National and State Parks, which together are designated as a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. The beach is broad with low dunes covered in tall grass, and backed by high bluffs and lush, temperate rainforest. A gentle breeze was blowing offshore from the dense forest atop the bluffs, across the grassy dunes, and out over the crashing waves. The steady roar of big surf breaking far out was accompanied by the crash of waves breaking on the shore, which ran up the beach and washed back down. I placed the microphone atop a grassy dune at the edge of the shore, beyond the reach of the rising tide. Recorded by Kelly Rafuse , in California, USA
Fri, April 26, 2024
Pine Forest
The sounds of a pine forest in spring in Dalarna county, Sweden. A variety of bird species sing including Common Chaffinch, Tree Pipit, Great Spotted Woodpecker & Common Wood Pigeon. Recorded by Marc Anderson , in Kullen, Sweden
Fri, April 19, 2024
Falling Snowflakes
In the first weeks of 2024, finally, a real winter has arrived with beautiful snowfall and temperatures of -19°C. A day before that, I packed my gear and went to the location deep in the forests of Kočevski Rog, away from any settlements where I camped overnight. The night was dark and cold but I knew that the next morning, I would be rewarded with the first proper snowfall of the season. Capturing the sound of snowflakes is a very peculiar process one which requires some creative approach and experimenting techniques. Besides physically enduring the severe cold, positioning all the gear while trying to still stay focused on capturing the sound itself. Another thing to consider is that snow, unlike rain, is considerably less dense therefore even a gentle breeze spreads it all over, even beneath a protected enclosure or natural shelter. I placed my recording setup beneath the large pine tree, taking advantage of its large branches for some protection. To shield my setup from any snowflakes, that still found their way, I have snugly wrapped the tripod and other parts with a cozy woolen blanket. The blanket has gently protected all metallic parts from flakes landing on them and creating unwanted artificial clicks. It also provided some warmth to my beloved mics, staying in such harsh cold conditions. Recorded by Jan Brelih in Kočevski Rog, Slovenia
Fri, April 12, 2024
Spring Thunderstorm at White Deer Lake
This was recorded on a spring day in the forest near White Deer Lake, a seasonal lake in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The lake is large and shallow when full, but only lasts a couple months in spring before drying up entirely. It’s surrounded by coniferous forest of Ponderosa Pine, Lodgepole Pine, and White Fir. At the time I made this recording there were only a few small pools of water left. I arrived late in the morning and the sky was blue and sunny above, but clouds were beginning to build all around. I set up the microphone in the forest not far from the lake under a dense bunch of young White Fir trees which provided shelter from rain and wind when the storms eventually passed overhead. The clouds continued to build until the first rumbles of thunder were heard in the distance. The chirping calls of Mountain Chickadees and Dark-eyed Juncos are heard along with other birds, and frogs can be heard in the distance in the remaining pools of the fast drying lake. As the storms moved closer, gentle rain began to fall and a light breeze blew through the trees above. The thunder became increasingly loud and powerful until it passed directly overhead. Recording by Kelly Rafuse
Fri, April 05, 2024
Lake in an Ecuadorian Jungle
Early in the morning I walk along a remote lake in Ecuador’s lower Amazon basin. Far from a city, road, or town, the sounds here are all natural. Thick foliage covers the ground and sky. Everywhere is muddy. Leaves dripping from a recent rain. Dawn approaches and the barking croak of giant frogs gradually becomes less frequent. Mysterious birds calling nearby. The jungle here is one of the most unique and pristine environments I have witnessed. Evoking a sense of magic for me anytime I listen. Recording by Nick McMahan
Fri, March 29, 2024
Pambar Shola
To record a soundscape characteristic of this region – and attempt to encapsulate my observational thoughts and views as a soundscape recordist – I arrived at a preserved section of the forest. The Pambar Shola plantation acts as a nursery for shola trees, which grow in the shade of taller pines and eucalyptus. A visual change was provided by a few rhododendrons – a Himalayan species believed to have spread over 1,200 miles (2,000 km) during periods when the temperature and ecology of the Western Ghats and the Himalayas were similar, due to seed dispersal by birds. I stationed my equipment beside a small stream, the sound of which, to me, symbolized the larger ecological processes taking place over centuries in the Western Ghats, to create a soundscape which could become a starting point for discussing Vattakanal, as per the hypothesis I am trying to explore through this project. At a personal level, I will remember this flowing water as the sound of sunrise in a tropical forest in the Western Ghats, layered with the sounds of birds, the occasional howling of Nilgiri langurs, and the distant barks of dogs which had followed me along the trail. This excerpt is from the article Soundscapes of Lesser Nature , by Mustard Lake , a grantee of our field recording grant program.
Tue, March 26, 2024
Artist Talks: Axel Drioli
Eight episodes went by so fast! Symbolically, this episode with Axel was the first one to be recorded. Since our conversation, Axel travelled south into the west coast of Africa and is currently in Sierra Leone, to record and tell the stories of migratory birds in the East Atlantic Flyway. So, this will be a special one! We talk about the dynamics of this impressive journey, how technology led Axel to nature and out of the studio, his crazy blindfolded experiment in the streets of London, our general will to encounter "exotic" animals and how that can deafen us to the wonders right outside our window. Learn about Axel and Ario's project on the Sounding Wild page and connect with them on Instagram and Twitter . You can listen to some of their recordings on earth.fm . Episode's references: Virtual Barbershop (listen with headphones) Book Becoming Wild: How Animals Learn Who They Are , by Carl Safina Field recording work: Songs of the Humpback Whale: Dr. Roger Payne If you have been enjoying this season of Artist Talks reach out to us, maybe leave a comment where you listen to the podcast. Until next time!
Fri, March 22, 2024
Thailand Rainforest Night
A calm nocturnal ambience recorded in the rainy season in a tropical rainforest in western Thailand. At this time of year, the frogs are very active and can be heard chorusing throughout this recording, along with the sounds of insects, and rain gently dripping from the canopy above. Recorded by Marc Anderson in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand
Tue, March 19, 2024
Artist Talks: Rüdiger Ortiz-Álvarez
Hello and welcome to our 7th episode of this special series - only one left for this season to close! Today we have a super informative and fun conversation with Rüdiger Ortiz-Álvarez, a biologist and film-maker with a PhD in Ecology. In 2019 he became an National Geographic Explorer and made the incredible documentary Ecotone , which we'll be talking about in this interview. We discuss human disconnection with nature, ancient ecosystems, animal and human languages and how they possibly intersect in a given geography. We'll also get to know the story of how Rüdiger fell in love with sound which shifted his life. You can connect with Rüdiger on his Twitter and Instagram , as well as finding more about his grant with National Geographic here . Don't forget to check his recordings in our website on his artist profile . Field recording work: Songs of the Humpback Whale: Dr. Roger Payne Books mentioned: The Great Animal Orchestra : Bernie Krause Musical artists mentioned: Stura with the album Llangres and Gregorio Paniagua with Batiscafo
Fri, March 15, 2024
Quiet Morning Chorus at the Kirandich Dam
Recording by Martha Mutiso
Tue, March 12, 2024
Artist Talks: Félix Blume
Hello and welcome to our 6th episode of this special series. Today we have a wonderful conversation with award winning sound artist Félix Blume, who has a variety of works in many distinct regions of the world, marked mainly through his collaborative process. We talk about forms of listening, sound authorship, the power of sound to inquire and understand and working with children. You can find the rich work of Félix in his website: https://felixblume.com/ and in his vimeo: https://vimeo.com/felixblume Books mentioned: The Falling Sky - Davi Kopenawa Yanomami with Bruce Albert R. Murray Schafer - The Tuning of the World Juliette Volcler - L'orchestration du quotidien - Design sonore et écoute au 21e siècle Artists mentioned: Chris Watson , Gordon Hempton , Bernie Krause
Fri, March 08, 2024
Night at the Wacoyo Indigenous Reserve
This soundscape was recorded in an indigenous reserve called Wacoyo, in Meta (Colombia), after the sunset. You can hear insects from all over the valley. The reserve has an extension of 8050 hectares, and it is inhabited by 31 communities of approximately 340 families. The climate is dry tropical, and its biome consists of an alluvial savannah. Recorded by Nícolas Gutierrez García in Resguardos Indígenas de Wacoyo, Meta, Colombia
Tue, March 05, 2024
Artist Talks: Christine Hass
A new month of episodes starts with Christine Hass, a field biologist with a background on social behaviour of mammals. She has extensive recordings and stories from her journeys in the American West. You'll be drawn by Chris' attentive ear to environmental subtleties and connection to place with all her (truly) wild adventures outdoors. We also talk about the various impacts of forest fire and how to listen and record water. Please check Chris blog containing not only journal entries from her trips as well as equipment and techniques advice. Episode's references: Field Recordist Lang Elliott Book What the Robin Knows , by Jon Young
Fri, March 01, 2024
Amphibian Chorus
Recording in the Masaai Mara by Martha Mutiso
Tue, February 27, 2024
Artist Talks: Seán Ronayne
Hello! This is already our fourth episode of the series Artist Talks. Our guest today is Seán Ronayne, an ornithologist and zoologist with a mission to record all the bird species in Ireland and to inspire change through his work and the fascination he nurtures by animal behaviour and outdoors. One very fascinating topic Seán shares about is how we can listen to the birds' stories if we pay attention to their mimicry. So prepare yourself as we're going to listen to some incredible bird vocalisations on this episode. As always, we also talk about being in nature and wander in nature at night... alone but holding a parabola. Seán's website Irish Wildlife Sounds Seán's SoundCloud and Twitter Listen to Seán's recordings on earth.fm Watch ‘ My mission is to record all of the bird species in Ireland ’, a piece for the Irish Times, by Kathleen Harris. References talked about in this episode: The Great Animal Orchestra : Bernie Krause Jay mimicry of a cat on Xeno-Canto : XC585280; recording by Adrianna Muszyńska
Fri, February 23, 2024
Nocturnal Lullaby in the Atlantic Forest
Recorded in January 2017 in Minas Gerais by Melissa Pons
Tue, February 20, 2024
Artist Talks: Darcy Spidle
Welcome to our third episode of this series where we have conversations with the best nature listeners in the world. In this episode, our guest Darcy Spidle , also working under the name chik white , talks with Melissa about his connection to the landscape where he lives in Nova Scotia, dreams and his unique way of approaching field recording, parallel in a way to his musical explorations and performances as well as their specific differences. This is very much a conversation on creativity and the inner and outer worlds. Darcy is a jaw harpist, screenwriter, actor and - of course - a field recordist. His works, which you can listen on his bandcamp page , are distinguishable intense with a strong aesthetic sense. As a staple in this series, we talk about being in nature, deep listening and being alone in the dark outside. Find out more about Darcy on his website . Episode’s references: Darcy's essay Trauma of My Mouth Chris Watson: Stepping into the Dark Roger Payne: Songs of the Humpback Whale Lawrence English: Field Recordings from the Zone Hildegard Westerkamp - Kits Beach
Fri, February 16, 2024
A Hot Summer Day in a Mountain Meadow
Recorded in Croatia by Ivo Vicic
Tue, February 13, 2024
Artist Talks: Chris Hails
Welcome to our second episode of this series where we have conversations with the best nature listeners in the world. In this episode, Chris Hails talks about his multi-faceted career as an ecologist and zoologist in Malaysia, an environmental advisor in Singapore and Conservationist in Switzerland. Nature field recording has been a practice for Chris since tape recorder days. He has a PhD in bird ecology, and his professional activities have led him to research, teach and advise, with the efforts of saving the environment. We discuss why there is so much disconnection between people and Nature, ways to bridge this gap and be conscious about our own consumer patterns and the connection to politics. As a staple in this series, we talk about being in nature, deep listening and being alone in the dark outside. Find out more about Chris on his websi te . Episode’s references: Chris' book Birds of Singap ore Tools for species ID: Cornell University Bird NET Merlin App Xeno-Canto Chris' Website Wild Echoes The Sound Approach Literature and films mentioned: The Singing Life of Birds. The Art and Science of Listening to Birds by Donald Kroodsma Memoirs of a Birdman by Ludwig Koch Wild Soundscapes: Discovering the Voice of the Natural World and Th e Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World's Wild Places by Bernie Krause The Singing Planet , by Liz McKenzie
Fri, February 09, 2024
Midday Chorus in the Amani Forest
Recording by Martha Mutiso in Tanzania
Tue, February 06, 2024
Artist Talks: Mélia Roger
Welcome to our very first episode of this series where we have conversations with the best nature listeners in the world. In this episode, Mélia Roger discusses how her approach to sound has changed; intimacy and empathy through sound;, and the context of politics and ecosocial conflicts in which sound and listening exists. "Her work explores the sonic poetics of the landscape, through field recordings and active listening performances. Exploring human non-humans relations, she tries to inspire ecological change with environmental and empathic listening. She believes in the importance of participatory projects in order to share knowledge and personal experiences through sound." (from Portfolio - Selected Works, 2016-2021 ). "Mélia Roger is a sound designer for film and art installation. She has a classical music background and owns a Master[’s] Degree in sound engineering (ENS Louis-Lumière, Paris, France). She spent her last year of Master in the Transdisciplinary Studies Program at ZHdK (Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland), where she developed an artistic approach of sound, working with voice and field recordings. She is now living between Paris and Zurich, working for post-production film and her own artistic works." Find out more about Mélia on her website . Episode's references: Donna J. Haraway - Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene Environmental philosopher Vinciane Despret Karen Barad -: “ On Touching the Stranger Within – The Alterity That Therefore I Am ” Field recordist Marc Namblard Philosopher Timothy Morton Glenn Albrecht - Environment Change, Distress & Human Emotion Solastalgia Bernie Krause - The Great Animal Orchestra exhibition Solastalgie podcast [French language] Land Body Ecologies podcast Field Recordist and Sound Artist Félix Blume
Fri, February 02, 2024
Aerial Ballet
Upon my odyssey for wisdom, destiny cast me ashore on the isle of Little Tobago, a haven where avian secrets awaited, concealed within the artistry of bird banding. Here, amidst the tranquil embrace of nature’s symphony, my passion for recording the melodic tales of the wild began to unfold. Little Tobago, a minuscule jewel adrift off Tobago’s northeastern shores, a realm within the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. A realm of seclusion, where the only passage is by sea, where human comforts relent, surrendering to the unspoiled canvas of the night sky, adorned by the celestial dance of the Milky Way. This sacred isle cradles a dry forest, a sanctuary for seabirds—Red-billed Tropicbirds, Audubon’s Shearwaters, Brown Boobies, Brown Noddies, Sooty and Bridled Terns—all gracing the island as custodians of the heavens. White-tailed Tropicbirds, a rare sight nesting among the rocks, weaving their tales into the tapestry of this mystical land. Stepping ashore, one is transported to a Jurassic kingdom. The dry forest, a verdant abode for diverse songbirds and near-passerines, like the Trinidad Mot-Mot wielding anvils to conquer beetle shells, while shearwaters echo their cackling calls in the distance. The saga unfolds as the Tropicbirds, pelagic wanderers of the azure expanse, commence their aerial ballet. At 2:30 pm, a celestial rendezvous at the cliff’s edge, where winds sculpt destiny. In elegant circles, they harness the invisible currents, orchestrating a grand descent into the embrace of shrubs below. Yet, should the first dance falter, a daring plunge off the cliff, a daring encore to perfect their art. Enter the Frigatebird, the ocean’s marauder, soaring through the mid-air theater. Aware that Tropicbirds, satiated after a day of feasting, carry the ocean’s bounty, these aerial pirates seize their opportunity. Mid-flight, a violent shake coerces regurgitation, and the Frigatebirds seize the harvest in a daring mid-air ballet. As the clock ticks towards 4 pm, the winds subside, and the avian performers retire to their roosts, leaving but a fleeting window to capture their symphony. In this ephemeral dance, the Red-billed Tropicbirds emerge as the maestros, rendering their enchanting melodies, making them the most bewitching notes I have ever endeavored to record. Recorded by Giselle Ragoonanan Little Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
Fri, January 26, 2024
Morning Chorus in the Masai Mara
Recorded by Martha Mutiso in Kenya
Fri, January 19, 2024
Gentle Waves of the Black Sea
A very calm secluded bay on the Bulgarian Black Sea, with gentle waves crashing at the stone shore. Recoded by Jan Brelih , in Bulgaria
Fri, January 12, 2024
Migration Dawn Chorus
Every year, birds that breed in Europe and Asia migrate south to spend the winter in Africa, passing over Tsavo National Park in Kenya between late September and December. On dark, misty nights during migration, many birds become disoriented and land in the bushes and shrubs around the lights of Ngulia Safari Lodge, situated in the Ngulia Hills Escarpment. This year's migration brought a rich mix of migratory and resident bird songs. As day broke, the beautiful savanna was filled with the songs of visiting Nightingales, Warblers, and Orioles, often trying to sing louder than the resident Emerald-spotted Wood Doves, Boubous, Guineafowls, and Francolins. At times, their songs blended into one of the most spectacular dawn choruses I've ever heard. Avian migration is one of the greatest natural spectacles in the world, and it was amazing to record a small part of this sound phenomena in my country. This recording is highly dynamic and therefore we ask the listener caution with listening volumes, especially if using headphones. Recorded by Martha Mutiso in Tsavo West National Park, Kenya
Fri, January 05, 2024
Summer Afternoon in the Atlantic Forest
End of December and it is a pleasant afternoon. It is hot and there are a few white clouds. It rained the previous days and will continue to rain throughout the summer. We hear some cicadas, insects and distant birds. Everything is in apparent stillness, until a warm wind moves the foliage of the forest. Can you feel the humidity? Recorded by Verónica Cerrotta in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fri, December 29, 2023
Dawn in the rainforest – Sounds of Costa Rica
It’s around 6 am, just as dawn light starts to penetrate to the forest floor. The insects are vocal but not annoyingly so. Birds start calling here and there, building momentum with every chirp, tweet or whatever bleating/cackling noise Macaws make. There are Motmots everywhere, uttering their own name every few seconds in low tones. Recording by George Vlad in the Parque Nacional Corcovado, Costa Rica
Fri, December 22, 2023
Deluge at Dawn
Zarnesti has given me what are undoubtedly my fondest memories of our trip to Romania. It was such a beautiful place – so quiet, so verdant and just a wonderful place to be. We travelled there with nowhere to stay and we picked a house up in the hills at random and it just happened to belong to a truly amazing retired older couple. They made us feel like we were visiting family and they had us sit down with them in their warm and hearty living room for a chat and some delicious homemade traditional food. That evening myself and Alba wandered back down the hill to lower ground where we found ourselves in a National Park, surrounded by lush forest with abundant sources of running water. This was important as I always love to combine dawn choruses with gentle streams – for me this is a dreamy combination and always lulls me to sleep when I am having trouble nodding off. I checked the weather forecast and saw that there were some rain showers to come so I set about finding a spot where I could leave my drop-rig (Zoom F6 + stereo set of Clippy EM272s) out safely. There were some hiking trails which were quite popular with tourists and locals, so, after walking far enough away from the little dirt road and car park, I again took another smaller track off the main trail. There I found a little valley with a gentle stream. I followed this stream about 50 metres uphill where I was stopped in my tracks by my first ever Salamander! It was so strikingly black and yellow and it was a dream come true for me – I had always wanted to see one. I was starstruck! Along this stream there was a fallen tree trunk which traversed its entirety and leaned up into the hillside. Walking a few metres up the hill so that the stream did not overwhelm the track, I set my mics just an inch or two inside a rotten crevice of the fallen tree. I knew they would be safe from the rain and would result in a natural sound when rain did fall. I hooked my drop rig up to a power-bank, hid the recorder in a drybag, covered by some leaf litter, and left it to do its job. That night I was awoken by the rain and was so nervous thinking about my expensive equipment out there unsupervised. It was the first time I had left it out like that, knowing heavy rain was on the horizon. The following morning I went straight down to the valley and collected my equipment – it was bone dry AND I saw another Salamander! It was bigger than the last one and hung around for a closer look. Before breakfast I uploaded my sounds and was totally blown away. Zero road noise, only a handful of planes, a mesmerising deluge of rain, a stunning dawn chorus amidst a subtle trickling stream, and, best of all, a mystery shape on the sonogram at the end of the track which turned out to be none other than a pair of fighting Brown Bears. I couldn’t have asked for more. Recorded by Seán Ronayne in Zarnesti, Romania
Fri, December 08, 2023
Awa Khadd Himalayan Stream
Unprecedented and chaotically distributed rainfall in the monsoon of 2023 led to devastating floods in the Himalayan regions, including the Kangra Valley, and adjoining plains of Punjab. River Beas, in and around the town of Mandi, was one of the worst affected due to these floods. The overflowing water from the Himalayan Ranges caused flooding in the other adjoining states of North India as well. Apart from Geological features, Forest patches, and Riverbeds, human-made structures like irrigation canals were also affected due to the sudden, and unregulated surge in the flow of water coming downstream from Himachal Pradesh. A major cause of the flooding like this, happening year by year, is now being linked to the changes in the Settlement Geography of the inner Himalayas, where the water wreaking havoc in these floods, just exists as Rivulets. As peacefully flowing Khadds. Like the Awa Khadd, you are listening to. Awa Khadd Rises from the Dhauladhar Ranges in Kangra Valley, and flows downstream to join river Beas, which ultimately drains into River Satluj in the state of Punjab. The Perennial nature of Awa, and similar Himalayan Khadds due to dual sources of water (both monsoon rains and glacier discharge) and an often violent flow due to the topographical contours, makes them suitable for the development of Hydropower projects. The Upper Awa Hydropower project is located on the Awa Khadd. This recording of Awa was done near a village called Kulani, close to the Kulani Hydropower Plant. Khadd is the local name for a Rivulet in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh in India. These Khadds, rising from various Mountain Ranges, flow as streams of varying magnitudes, contributing to the larger River Ecosystems in the region. They provide drinking water, as well as water for irrigation purposes to the rural and semi-urban settlements on their way to the cities, where the role is further amplified. More importantly, this complex network of Rivulets regulates the natural flow of water in the mountainous terrain of the Himalayas and maintains the ecological balance for the wider Flora and Fauna; an aspect of Himalayan River Ecosystems being urgently looked into, as the Eco-sensitive region has rapidly started facing adverse effects of Climate Change in the recent past. Recording by Mustard Lake in Himachal Pradesh, India
Fri, December 01, 2023
Australia’s Cloud Forest
The upland rainforests of far-north Queensland are home to many species found nowhere else. This recording features the sounds of birds and insects along with a gentle breeze at dusk in this unique habitat. In the latter part of the recording, darkness falls and the sounds of crickets intensify. The wild crowings of Orange-footed Scrubfowl can be heard in the distance. Recording by Marc Anderson in the Girringun National Park, Australia
Fri, November 24, 2023
A Night with Grey Wolves
A nocturnal recording that gives you a “look” into the secret life of Wolves in nature. We are in the mountain slopes, and the recording spot is near the Wolves, close to a doe carcass killed by the Wolves probably night before; the carcass is mostly eaten. This is a perimeter of around 20m in diameter, a so-called ‘kill zone’ where everything happens. The carcass is mostly eaten. What remains is the bones and some soft tissue. You can hear how the bones/spine are cracking in the Wolf’s jaws. Other than that, the Wolves are pretty much silent. There is no howling or other loud sounds because this spot is close to the shepherd dogs (cattle) down in the valley at approx. 1 km of air distance and those dogs are agitated from time to time during the night probably when winds change and start to blow towards them. The north wind (dark Bora) is blowing. Recorded by Ivo Vicic in Mrzli Dol, Croatia
Fri, November 17, 2023
Dawn Chorus in Tarangire
I travelled to Tarangire National Park in Northern Tanzania just at the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season in November. Covering an area of 2,600 square kilometres, Tarangire is popularly known as the land of giants; and from our arrival, you could tell why. The Park is strewn with giant baobab trees that were starting to flower. Not far into the park we encountered another giant’s presence, the African elephant. Apart from these two iconic species and other animals, the park’s birdlife is amazing, with over 500 species of birds that have been recorded here. It rained heavily a day before we arrived, which brought out nature’s own sound concert. All the wildlife seemed to be celebrating the arrival of the rains. There were nature sounds everywhere! The birds started singing at 2am in the morning and continued throughout the day. Amidst the bird song, there were also crickets, large beetles, bats, frogs, hyenas, zebras and occasional lion roar from a distant, allowing us to sleep and reawaken our senses, be present and reconnect to the natural sounds of Tarangire plains. Recorded by Martha Mutiso in Tanzania
Fri, November 10, 2023
Lowland Rainforest Dawn in New Guinea
A vivid dawn chorus from the steamy forests of lowland West Papua. While the rainforest is still dark, Hooded Butcherbirds sing melodic fluty phrases to welcome the new day. The calls of nocturnal frogs and insects gradually fade as other diurnal species become active. Recording by Marc Anderson in Birds Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia
Fri, November 03, 2023
Spring Dawn Chorus in the Forest Meadow
In a remote mountain valley, around 1250m above sea level, the surrounding mountains create a nice natural echo felt through the songs of the dawn chorus in the late spring. Recording in Jelenje, Croatia by Ivo Vicic
Fri, October 27, 2023
Wind Through Aspens in the Fall
Early fall. Yellow leaves fall from the aspen trees. Quiet between gusts, cool wind blowing from the north. A change of season is in the air. Warm days, cool nights. The vastness of the land is something from classic American western stories. Near the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, the Eastern Rocky Mountains of Montana reach into the clouds. The first dusting of snow coating the peaks. Recorded over night with a wide stereo bar and two MKH8020’s this quiet land is full of beauty and wonder. Recording by Nick McMahan
Fri, October 20, 2023
Relaxing Ghana Rainforest
Enjoy this soothing calm calling of birds in the Ankasa rainforest with calm water rushing in the background. The thick canopy of the trees shielded me from the hot sunshine in the tropical rainforest as I recorded these sounds. Recording by Isaac Amoasi Arkoh
Fri, October 13, 2023
Intense Dusk Chorus in the Rainforests of Sumatra
As the sounds of daytime fade away in the rainforests of Sumatra, a thick and piercing insect chorus takes over. The soundscape becomes harsh and deafening in places. The frequency spectrum is taken over by stridulating, buzzing and trilling organisms that have few other ways of communicating besides sound. The crickets, katydids, cicadas (including the Empress cicada) are joined by frogs and birds that sound just like insects themselves. The first few times I experienced this, it sounded alien and forbidding. It felt like the rainforest suddenly transformed into an even more impenetrable ecosystem that was actively trying to keep me out. Going on a night walk was a dizzying affair. I could barely focus on what I was (barely) able to see, because there was so much information reaching and overloading my auditory cortex. After several expeditions to rainforests in Africa, the Americas and Asia, I started to get used to these intense night soundscapes. These microcosms full of life weren't able to keep me out anymore. I slowly started to take the sounds apart and to understand what some of them meant. I was identifying sound sources and actively searching for wildlife at night! I also managed to get some of the best sleeps of my life in tents and hammocks in remote jungles. Recorded by George Vlad in Indonesia
Fri, October 06, 2023
Calm Jungle Morning in the Rainforest
Around four in the morning the insect chorus and water dripping sounds start to slowly morph into something more lively. Distant howler monkeys can be heard, while a flock of macaws is making a racket nearby. Screaming piha calls remind me I’m in the Amazon, while Motmots utter their low frequency bubbling call. Later on, toucans and toucanets join in along with a myriad other species. Recorded in Pery by in the Reserva Territorial Madre de Dios, by George Vlad
Fri, September 29, 2023
Pacific Ocean Waves
Experience the raw power of the Pacific Ocean as powerful waves crash upon a secluded sandy beach. The coastline is located in the Colombian region of Choco where there are no roads and the whole coastline is separated by impenetrable jungle hills from the rest of the mainland. Recording by Jan Brelih in Choco, Colombia
Fri, September 22, 2023
Ankasa Rainforest Dawn Chorus
It’s 5 a.m. at the Ankasa Rainforest. I woke up at around 4:30 a.m. and made my way through the thick darkness to capture the jungle ambience at dawn. Using the torchlight from my phone, I could hardly see anything but the beautiful symphony from the forest urged me to walk on untill I got to the desired spot where I set up my microphones. Enjoy this hour-long soundscape of nature at dawn. This recording was done by Isaac Amoasi Arkoh m, in Ghana, a current grantee of our field recording program .
Fri, September 15, 2023
Life of Birds in a Calm Evening Spring
A relaxing evening song of birds in the a forested hill area near a big lake. The most common birds on this recording are: Common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), Common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), Common blackbird (Turdus merula) , Song thrush (Turdus philomelos), European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), European green woodpecker (Picus viridis) and the Nightjar (Caprimulgidae) at the end of the recording as the night falls. Other sounds captured: insects, walking of the deer or roe deer nearby and a faraway gentle stream. Recorded in Croatia, by Ivo Vicic
Fri, September 08, 2023
Sunset at the Shore of a Lake
It’s sunset time on the shore of the lake and the last birds of the day fly over the still water. From the treetops I can hear the movement of leaves and branches. There are some distant sounds that I cannot decipher where they come from or how they are produced. A few meters away, a white horse shines and takes a deep breath in the darkness. It’s getting dark. The crescent moon rises and illuminates the ground, the water and the plants with a silvery and mysterious light. The inhabitants of the night begin to be heard: toads, crickets, owls, bats, urutaus and bacuraus. Some capybaras dive into the water. Recorded by Verónica Cerrotta in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fri, September 01, 2023
The Sounds of Mayan Ruins
Soundscapes cannot be preserved across centuries like buildings, writings or fossils. In the jungles of the Yucatan there are countless archaeological sites where you can see what the Mayan civilisation lived like. You can admire their intricate architectural design and wonder at the advanced glyph script they developed. Can you hope to experience the same soundscapes as they did? You probably can. The first step would be to remove all the sounds that Mayans did not experience in their day-to-day lives. Motorised road traffic, scooters, drones, aircraft – these are elements that probably did not pollute the soundscapes in Mayan times. On my expedition to Mexico I visited a few remote Mayan sites where most tourists didn’t venture. These sites are far away from busy roads, and only reachable on foot after long drives through the jungle. Once there, I set up a few recording rigs and left them out for several days at a time. I had a very knowledgeable local guide who helped me immensely. Is that it? Yes, more or less. The soundscape might not be exactly the same as 500 or 2000 years ago, but it won’t be drastically different either. Some species might have moved in or become locally extinct. There are differences related to day/night cycles, seasons, global warming and cooling cycles, local weather and a myriad other events that can affect what a place sounds like. Having said that, most of the wildlife you can hear in this recording will probably have been here in Mayan times. The acoustics of their cities are quite important to consider as well. The big plazas and stepped masonry structures with hard edges have lots of reflective surfaces. The soundscapes of their cities would be a beautiful mix of wild jungle soundscape with man-made acoustics and reflections. Pay attention and see if you can hear these reflections in this recording. Recorded by George Vlad in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Fri, August 25, 2023
Winter Morning in the Atlantic Forest
It is an early August morning. There is some wind and the sky is cloudy. At this time of the year, the Mulungú blooms: there are several of them, full of red flowers. Now it also blooms the yellow Ipe and the Congea tomentosa, that brings a lot of lilac flowers. There are Embaúbas and a very big Ficus, Avocados, Boldo and Jabuticaba trees. Birds fly from one tree to another, moving their leaves and branches. The ground is full of dry leaves. Recording by Verónica Cerrotta In São José do Vale do Rio Preto, Río de Janeiro
Fri, August 18, 2023
Dawn on an American Prairie
An inescapable sensation of floating fills my consciousness. A state of lucidity. Not entirely awake but not asleep. Conscious of surrounding ripples, the warm meadowlark song drifts in the air. I feel translucent. Light. Time passes and there is no distance between it. Opening my eyes returns awareness to the small tent I’m laying in. Narrowing myself back to a singular perception. Birdsong here carries you away. Do these small melodic Aves feel this expansion they provoke? Awake and listening to spring birds, a meadowlark, a dove, the northern Montana prairie evokes timeless wonder. To exist for years, decades, generations, in calm natural spring-like peace, for just a moment. Drive across the country. Long straight roads. Steep winding roads. Exhausted but excited to be here. A distant croak from a raven interrupts my thoughts and I return to the moment. Here in this prairie to listen to the dawn. Spring morning air is cool in May. I breathe in deeply and crawl out of the warm sleeping bag. Bright, flat, and yellow-green the prairie is fully awake. I can’t tell you why, but it feels nostalgic looking out across the land here. Like I’ve returned home from a long trip and everything is exactly as I left it. I think we need these moments of waking up from social existence to be alone, completely alone in a natural place. In a way this is the least alone we can be. In deep nature we are truly what we are. Ourselves with no external observation or expectation to be one way or another. Just being. Just observing. “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” -T. S. Eliot Field Recording by Nick McMahan in Montana, USA
Fri, August 11, 2023
Okefenokee Swamp
The Okefenokee is one of the largest, intact swamps in the entire world. There’s only one road into the swamp and it terminates at Stephen C. Foster State Park, a Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park. Recorded by Jared Blake in the Stephen C Foster State Park, USA
Fri, August 04, 2023
Alpine Thunderstorm
!This recording has very high dynamics and so we advise extra care on your listening volume, especially if you are wearing headphones! The area above Kamniška Bistrica, surrounded by mountains, was hit by a series of extremely powerful thunderstorms. Some of these storms triggered avalanches and flash floods. The recorded storm passed over the area during the night and you can hear the sounds of swollen torrential streams. Later, near the recording location, a flash flood was also triggered. The thunder of the storm echoes beautifully among the rocky walls of the surrounding mountains. What begins as a distant and quiet thunder develops nearer and powerful. Recorded in Slovenia by Gregor Vida
Fri, July 28, 2023
Calm Dawn Chorus in the African Savanna
It’s a beautiful morning by the Kapamba river in South Luangwa NP, Zambia. The sun isn’t up yet but it’s already quite hot. There’s a soft breeze that makes the heat more bearable, and there are some clouds on the horizon promising rain in the afternoon. The dawn chorus is in full swing. Doves, coucals, geese, bee eaters and a myriad other birds are calling incessantly. Antelope stop by to inspect the bush and then run away snorting like pigs. In the river, a hippo will come up for air occasionally, calling and breathing heavily. Small water movements sound pleasantly liquid. The most beautiful aspect of this rich soundscape is the sense of open space. Sounds carry over long distances in the savanna, with only light obstruction and reflections caused by vegetation. If you pay attention, you can easily identify layers coming from different directions and distances. It’s a soundscape you can easily get immersed in, but there are endless little details to discover. Sit back in your hammock and take it all in. Field recording by George Vlad
Fri, July 21, 2023
Nocturnal Fusion Over the Black Pond
This recording captures the essence of a night spent by a pond during the Flower Moon in the untamed wilderness of the Barycz Valley. The rhythmic ambiance is shaped by the melancholic croaks of fire-bellied toads and the deep resonances of great bitterns, creating a captivating backdrop. As the recording progresses, the symphony of the night unfolds, showcasing the raucous calls of tree frogs, the subtle clicks of bats, and the distinctive cries of the whooper swan.Each nocturnal creature adds its unique contribution to the tapestry of sound, painting a vivid portrait of the wilderness after dark. The ambiance gradually transitions as dawn approaches, seamlessly blending with the emergence of sunlit sounds—the vibrant melodies of birdsong, the jubilant honking of graylag geese, and the lively awakening of nature’s inhabitants. Recorded by Jakub Orzęcki
Tue, July 18, 2023
Flocks of Common Starlings Over the Pond with Lê Quan Ninh: Bonus Episode
Welcome to our ninth and last bonus episode, for now! In these episodes we have been sharing short segments about nature, sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation.In today’s episode we have a very special guest, Lê Quan Ninh. Recording made Saint-Angel, France in June 2023. Lê Quan Nihn is a percussionist in the field of contemporary music interpretation and free improvisation. He has also been recording nature sounds in France and Iceland, some of them kindly shared with us on Earth.fm. Listen to more recordings from him here . To learn more about Nihn and his work, visit his website .
Fri, July 14, 2023
Montane Rainforest
This recording was made by a small river in Taman Negara, Malaysia, and starts in the early evening with the last birds and cicadas of the day calling from the surrounding forest. At around 25 minutes the loud ringing calls of Empress Cicada can be heard as the soundscape drifts into the night. Recorded by Marc Anderson
Tue, July 11, 2023
Black Woodpecker Encounter with Axel Drioli: Bonus episode
Welcome to our eighth bonus episode, already! In these episodes we have been sharing short segments about nature, sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation.In today's episode we have a special guest, Axel Drioli. Recording made at the Mount Lanaro Nature Reserve, Trieste, NE Italy, January 2021 Axel is a director, wildlife sound specialist, conservationist, and spatial audio designer. With his brother Ario , he runs the immersive production brand Sounding Wild . For their current project, Wings Across Continents , Axel and Ario are embarking on an overland expedition following the bird migration through Europe and West Africa with the goal of sharing stories about wildlife with local communities. https://www.soundingwild.com
Fri, July 07, 2023
Bamboo Forest Wind
Finding my way up a muddy path on an Island in the Pacific is an ideal condition for natural listening. A growing cacophony ebbs and flows as the trail and nearby river weave near and far from each other. Up a steep hill, the water suddenly grows faint. I can hear the wind overhead. Drumming along is the thick bamboo grove that seems to have sprung out of nowhere. I placed two Sennheiser Microphones on a wide stereo bar as far from the trail as I dared to go. Recorded by Nick McMahan at the Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Tue, July 04, 2023
Peepers with Steven: ShepardBonus Episode
Welcome to our seventh bonus episode, already! In these episodes we have been sharing short segments about nature, sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation. These are courtesy of our friend Dr. Steven Shepard. Recorded April 12, 2023, beaver pond behind elementary school, Williston, Vermont, USA Steven is an author, educator, speaker, writer, photographer, a ‘technology demystifier,’ and a producer of video and audio media. To learn more about him and his vast work, visit his website linked below. Earth.fm is a completely free streaming service of 600+ nature sounds from around the world, offering natural soundscapes and guided meditations for people who wish to listen to nature, relax, and become more connected. Check out our recordings of nature ambience from sound recordists and artists spanning the globe, our thematic playlists of immersive soundscapes and our Wind Is the Original Radio podcast . You can join the earth.fm family by signing up for our newsletter of weekly inspiration for your precious ears, or become a member and not only enjoy extra earth.fm features and goodies but help us grow new forests on our beloved planet. Recorded April 12, 2023, beaver pond behind elementary school, Williston, Vermont, USA
Fri, June 30, 2023
Snow Storm with Powerful Thunder
A short snowstorm since the arrival until it passed. The recording was done at high altitude in the mountain forest, at the edge of a cabin roof. The weather is unstable and unusually warm for Winter: the temperature is +1C and snow melts and falls. The storm comes quickly and brings a blizzard with hail and fresh snow, thunder, wind… Ravens can be heard at the beginning of the recording. Field recoding by Ivo Vici c
Tue, June 27, 2023
Morning Blackbirds with Steven Shepard: Bonus Episode
Welcome to our sixth bonus episode, already! Every Tuesday, for the next few weeks, we will share short segments about nature, nature sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation. These are courtesy of our friend Dr. Steven Shepard . Recorded in the end of winter of 2023, Williston, Vermont, USA. Steven is an author, educator, speaker, writer, photographer, a ‘technology demystifier,’ and a producer of video and audio media. To learn more about him and his vast work, visit his website linked below.
Fri, June 23, 2023
Mountain Meadow After Rain
The morning after rain at tare old-growth Pine forest on 3100m in Indian Himalayas, Sikkim region. The recording was made in the morning after night rain with water drops still dripping down from the Pine trees. The birds were very active and diverse which is for this high altitude not much common. This very unique peak is worshipped by the local villagers and is considered a sacred place, therefore, is very much preserved in its natural condition. Recording by Jan Brelih
Tue, June 20, 2023
Gentle Waves with Roger Boughton: Bonus Episode
Welcome to our fifth bonus episode! Every Tuesday, for the next few weeks, we will continue to share short segments about nature, nature sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation. These are courtesy of our friend Dr. Steven Shepard. Roger has been recording wildlife for almost five decades! He’s an author and a member of the Wildlife Sound Recording Society. Learn more about our friends here .
Fri, June 16, 2023
Lesser Kestrels Took Over an Abandoned Building
A migratory raptor wich spends its foraging time in West Africa and breeds in southern Europe. Here in Doñana, there is a specific place in a daunting location where they breed . Unfortunately, we can't say where it is located as local conservationists want to keep it protected from human disturbance, but it is quite a magical place: an old holiday complex now owned by Lesser Kestrels, Little Owls, Barn Owls, Spotted Starlings, White Storks and many other birds. An eerie place, so quiet we could hear our blood pumping in our bodies. Every evening the Lesser Kestrels - different from the Common Kestrels which don't migrate - would start roosting in the nesting boxes placed by local bird experts to increase the breeding success. The sounds of their squeaky calls echo in this abandoned place, where human presence is no longer found and wildlife thrives in a possibly unspoken collaboration misunderstood by both sides. Recording by Sounding Wild in Doñana, Spain
Tue, June 13, 2023
Wasps in my Shed with Roger Boughton: Bonus Episode
Welcome to our fourth bonus episode! Every Tuesday, for the next few weeks, we will continue to share short segments about nature, nature sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation. These are courtesy of our friend Dr. Steven Shepard. Roger has been recording wildlife for almost five decades! He’s an author and a member of the Wildlife Sound Recording Society. Learn more about our friends here .
Fri, June 09, 2023
Massive Thunderstorm in the Atacama Desert
Thunderstorms are rare in the Atacama desert - decades can go by without rain. When they do happen however, these freak weather occurrences are massive and awe-inspiring. As the mega storms emerge over the top of the Andes mountains and dormant volcanoes, lightning strikes indiscriminately and thunder rumbles over long distances. Cold wind batters everything from the mountain slopes to the rocky deserts and salt flats below. Piercing rain and hail falls indiscriminately, often flooding large areas of the desert. One such event occurred while I was in the Atacama last week. I was there to capture the subtle and fleeting sound of soft wind in the desert. There was certainly plenty of that in the mornings, but by afternoon time the weather would change dramatically. The localised but incredibly intense storms can wreak havoc in seconds. Being in such gigantic landscapes in the middle of these storms made me realise how insignificant we are compared to nature and weather. While I tend to take some risks in my quest to capture rare soundscapes, I also have a healthy respect for nature. The only way I could record this storm was with a drop rig.Luckily I had a Zoom F3 which records at 32 bit, thus giving me a lot of headroom to capture loud events such as thunder without compromising on detail. This recording has plenty of both, but you will need to listen with good speakers or headphones to experience it properly. Recorded in the place where the Atacama desert meets the Andes in Chile, by George Vlad .
Tue, June 06, 2023
Seal Gully with Roger Boughton: Bonus Episode
Welcome to our third bonus episode! Every Tuesday, for the next few weeks, we will continue to share short segments about nature, nature sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation. These are courtesy of our friend Dr. Steven Shepard . This clip caught Robert at the start of a storm on a overhanging cliff, approaching the seals. Follow him for some minutes, listening to the seals, the thunder, rain and waves slushing in the gully. Roger has been recording wildlife for almost five decades! He's an author and a member of the Wildlife Sound Recording Society. Learn more about our friends here .
Fri, June 02, 2023
Rain Under the Canopy in a Summer Thunderstorm
The sounds of a summer thunderstorm with soft rain. From under the tree canopy in mountain forest with an altitude of approx. 950m above sea level. The north face of the mountain is massive. Recording by Ivo Vicic in Jelenje, Croatia
Tue, May 30, 2023
Woodpecker Magic with Steven Shepard: Bonus Episode
Welcome to our second bonus episode! Every Tuesday, for the next few weeks, we will continue to share short segments about nature, nature sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation. These are courtesy of our friend Dr. Steven Shepard . Recorded in April 10, 2022, in a riparian woodland along the Winooski River, Richmond, Vermont, USA. Steven is an author, educator, speaker, writer, photographer, a ‘technology demystifier,’ and a producer of video and audio media. To learn more about him and his vast work, visit his website linked below. If you are curious about woodpeckers, we recommend you Chris Hails' wonderful website with over 10 articles about them.
Fri, May 26, 2023
Evening in the Mountains of Thailand
Recorded in the cool montane forests of far north-west Thailand, this evening soundscape features the sounds of crickets and a gentle breeze blowing through oak and pine trees. A Hodgson’s Frogmouth squawks occasionally in the distance. These forests support a range of species associated with the evergreen Himalayan foothills and are an oasis of life in an area where many of the surrounding areas have been cleared or significantly altered. Field recording by Marc Anderson in Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, Thailand
Tue, May 23, 2023
Loren Eiseley on Water with Steven Shepard: Bonus Episode
Welcome to our first bonus episode! Every Tuesday, for the next weeks, we will share short segments about nature, nature sounds, life and poetry for a moment of reflection and appreciation. These are courtesy of our friend Dr. Steven Shepard . Recorded in Spring 2023, Mud Pond Nature Preserve, Williston, Vermont, USA Steven is an author, educator, speaker, writer, photographer, a ‘technology demystifier,’ and a producer of video and audio media. To learn more about him and his vast work, visit his website linked below. https://www.shepardcomm.com/ To learn about who Loren Corey Eiseley was, visit the Loren Eiseley Society at https://www.eiseley.org/
Fri, May 19, 2023
Lesser Himalaya Jungle
Recordist: Jan Brelih Jungle at the Himalayan foothills known as Shiwalik Hills where elephants, tigers and leopards still roam. More saturated bird activity can be observed here, creating a more vibrant acoustic environment, compared to a higher mountain habitat. As the morning goes on, the atmosphere evolves and changes dramatically. Field recording by Jan Brelih at the Rajaji National Park, India
Fri, May 12, 2023
Soft Rain in the Congo Rainforest
Calm rainy nights in the rainforest are magical – few other sounds in life can be so relaxing and meditative. The sounds of a rainy jungle are never the same. One night there will be big droplets falling on large flat leaves – loud but pleasantly splatty. Another night it might be smaller water drops falling on thin vegetation – resulting in a more diffuse and even soundscape . The insect calls vary as well, from thick, piercing choruses to a more sparse and relaxed palette. The density of raindrops can make it sound light and calm or wild and heavy. All of these aspects change constantly as clouds wash over the listener’s location, adding more movement and change to the sound. If you only listen to this sort of soundscape occasionally, it might all sound the same. Spending some time immersing oneself into rain sounds and a myriad little patterns will emerge. Recorded by George Vlad , in the Mwagne National Park, Gabon
Fri, May 05, 2023
Tiny Little River
It's a warm autumn morning in the countryside of Rio de Janeiro. A small river flows in the middle of the forest vegetation. Various little birds fly around it. Insects can be heard in the distance. The moisture is concentrated in the soil, close to the river banks. Recording by Verónica Cerrotta
Fri, April 28, 2023
Dawn’s Chorus: Mating Calls of Marsh Frogs at Sunrise
Depending on the weather at the turn of March and April, you can witness an amazing spectacle of moor frogs mating in small water reservoirs, along with the awakening of nature. During this period, the males turn a beautiful blue color due to the accumulation of lymph in the subcutaneous lymphatic sinuses. The azure shade of their skin is temporary and only lasts during mating. The moor frog mating call is unmistakable, sounding like “wuog … wuog … wuog,” resembling a gurgling and chuckling bottle being opened underwater. During the breeding season, the marsh frogs’ amorous calls are often accompanied by deep grumbling sounds produced by common grass frogs, which inhabit the same areas. Let yourself be enchanted by the evolving soundscape of the frog choir during the early spring sunrise. Field recording by Jakub Orzęcki . Barycz Valley, Poland
Fri, April 21, 2023
Morning at a Blossoming Coastal Woodland
A morning recording from a grassy coastal woodland on the coast of Queensland. Many trees and shrubs were in flower, attracting a variety of honeyeaters and other nectivorous birds. Later in the recording the birdsong becomes more sparse as the wind increases and the day heats up. Field recording by Marc Anderson
Fri, April 14, 2023
North Sea Waves
There is an arc with this recording that connects to this: we can hear the ocean waves rolling in at high tide, but what creates that wonderful deep roar are the wooden groynes that have been installed along the beach shoreline. They create resistance to the force of the ocean and reduce the amount of longshore drift, helping sand to build up in front of the cliffs. They have been constructed to preserve the shoreline and to protect the dunes and cliffs from erosion. The cliff retreats an average of approx. 2m per year here. Erosion is a natural and beautiful process in and of itself, and one that inevitably occurs over the passing of time. Intervention techniques such as groynes can be used to add an element of control to the situation, and for me demonstrates a constructive collaboration between man, technology and nature which demonstrates how we can create sustainable spaces for future generations to benefit from. Deep, rolling waves. Carrying the ocean’s song to the shore Smooth pebbles caressed by time Recording by Mat Eric Hart
Fri, April 07, 2023
Cicada Crescendo
There are many species of Cicadas, each has its own sound. They have a special organ called “tymbal” that produces sound, which contains a series of ribs that buckle one after the other when the cicada flexes its muscles. Every time a rib buckles, the rib produces a click. #fieldrecording by Sounding Wild
Fri, March 31, 2023
Atacama Desert Wind
The Atacama desert is the most arid desert on Earth. Some parts of it have never received any rain since measurements started a few hundred years ago. It is a hot, dusty and harsh environment that not much life can survive in. On my expedition to the Atacama I wasn’t sure what to expect. The little wildlife that exists in these places has to carefully manage their energy so they don’t really call much. Although I’ve seen animals like vicuñas, llamas, rheas, birds of prey, etc., they were all eerily quiet. The dusty and rocky plateau is the perfect location to record wind though. With careful research and planning it is not impossible to get away from the touristy places and associated noise. This way I was able to record wind in a variety of settings, from dry desert vegetation to rocks and canyons. Recording by George Vlad
Fri, March 24, 2023
Thunderstorm and Dawn Chorus
Dawn chorus with thunderstorm high in the mountain valley, approx. 1000m above sea leve in a remote mountain area. The surrounding mountains create this nice natural echo. Recorded in late Spring Field recording by Ivo Vicic
Fri, March 17, 2023
Wildlife Sounds From the African Savanna
"This spot I found was quiet and peaceful, just perfect for recording. I dropped my rig and walked around for a bit, bumped into a giraffe and a warthog and took a few landscape photos. I also spotted a distant Eagle Owl, which can be heard softly in the recording. Every time I listen to this I'm transported back to that spot. Sit back, relax and try to imagine what it felt like to be there." Field Recording by George Vlad in South Africa, 2016
Fri, March 10, 2023
Low Tide On The Rugged Coast Of Redwood National Park
Recorded at sunset in the intertidal zone at low tide during a new moon. It was a rare sunny afternoon on this rugged stretch of coastline, with strong wind blowing from the north and huge waves crashing far out which created a continuous low roar. Heavy haze hung in the air, kicked up by the wind and crashing surf. The rocky, boulder strewn shore was fully exposed by the low tide, with barnacles, mussels, sea anemones, and a myriad of other kinds of sea life awaiting the incoming tide. Small flocks of shorebirds called Black Turnstones foraged for food on the exposed rocks, quickly moving out of the way as waves crashed against the rocks. Recorded by Kelly Rafuse
Fri, March 03, 2023
Dawn Chorus in Misty Morning
An early Summer recording on a Mountain Plateau, from the first light to early morning. One can listen to the dawn chorus and later to roe deer barking around the microphone array. Recording by Ivo Vicic
Fri, February 24, 2023
Warm Summer Morning
A warm summer soundscape in an early morning revealing a variety of close insects and birds in the background. There is a lot of movement on the ground and how the soundscape evolves throughout the one-hour recording gives away the landscape’s geography. This place is an ancient neolithic era settlement: there are monoliths nearby, and the field in which the recording took place has an ancient Celtic stone maze that can only be seen from satellite photos. Field recording by Steven Baber
Fri, February 10, 2023
Papua New Guinea Cloud Forest
A cloud forest high in the mountains of Papua New Guinea, this recording features sounds from a variety of species found only in this cool, misty forests, including the spectacular King-of-Saxony Bird-of-Paradise. Recorded by Marc Anderson in 2012.
Fri, February 03, 2023
Mangroves at Low Tide
Beautiful recording in a morning inside the mangrove forest at the low tide inside the Utria National Park. Colombian Pacific is one of the world’s few remaining areas with no road infrastructure and still vastly intact rainforest expanses. Field recording by Jan Brelih
Fri, January 27, 2023
Thunder Rain At Dusk
One of the most common Geophonical sounds, they could mean both great and bad news. Each bolt of lighting releases enough power to charge a fridge for a month. Recording by Sounding Wild in the Basque Country
Fri, January 20, 2023
A Night With Wolves
A deeply quiet Autumn night with tree branches cracking in the cold air and suddenly a shy wolf vocalizes timidly, a tawny owl joins later and finally a big howling of around a dozen of Iberian wolves happen to leave space again for the owl. Recorded in Mafra, Portugal, in the Iberian Wolf Recovery Center which lays in a beautiful Mediterranean Forest. Recording by Melissa Pons
Fri, January 13, 2023
Dawn Chorus of Spring in a Swedish Forest
The snow was still melting and it was deep in spots where the sunlight barely touched the ground. Beautiful lakes - large and small - make the acoustics like a mirror and call a variety of wildlife that we can listen to sometimes at the distance, other times much closer. In this long segment of the dawn chorus we can hear the tawny owl, the eurasian woodcock, the great spotted woodpecker, the tree-creeper, the european robin, the redwing, the eurasian wren, the whooper swan, the greylag goose and the great tit, between many others. Some calls I cannot recognise and I wonder if there is a red fox screaming at some point. I believe there was also the golden-eye and common loon. I've seen big big footprints (a wolf?) next to the whole skeleton of a young female elk. I've seen so many animal fresh tracks in the snow I can't forget. Recording by Melissa Pons
Fri, January 06, 2023
Sumter National Forest
The Sumter National Forest consists of 370,442 acres which are divided into 3 distinct sections in western and central South Carolina. The recordings from this tranquil and peaceful soundscape come from the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, which is part of the Appalachian Mountains and contains parts of the Chattooga River. The Chattooga is known as the “Crown Jewel” of the southeast and was the first river east of the Mississippi to be granted Wild and Scenic designation. Field Recording by Jared Blake
Fri, December 30, 2022
Winter Playlist II
A treat for the holiday season: a Winter soundscape that is very calm and grounding. Tracklist: Jan Brelih: Winter Rain Near a Lake Khristos Nizamis: Wind Deep Creek Solitude Jan Brelih: Wind Above the Forest Cliffs Jocelyn + Melissa: Ebb Current in Rocky Shore
Fri, December 23, 2022
Frogs croaking in the Harenna cloud forest
Night falls in the cloud forest. Several species of frogs congregate in humid areas, from jungle lakes to the smallest puddle. The soundscape is not as full on as in a lowland rainforest, which makes it much crisper and enveloping. Each discrete wildlife call seems to linger in the air for a fleeting moment, aided by the beautiful acoustics of the Afromontane forest. Conversely, the more drawn out or continuous calls offer a nice backdrop that's very easy to ignore until there is a sudden pause. My aim here is to record the rich dawn chorus soundscapes, but discovering these nocturnal frogs is a beautiful and unexpected result of my approach to sound recording. As usual, I set up several sound recording rigs in promising areas that I've scouted previously. I leave the microphones out for 24 to 48 hours at a time, which is more than enough for wildlife and nature to go back to its normal state after I've been there and affected it with my presence. During the day the frogs don't call much, but the cloud forest is alive with the sound of insects, birds and sometimes mammals. After dusk most birds take refuge and the scene is taken over by nocturnal inhabitants. Occasionally you can also hear a disturbed troop of baboons or Colobus monkeys call in the distance. Towards the end an African wood owl starts wailing softly. Perfect soundscape to fall asleep in the forest. Recording by George Vlad
Fri, December 16, 2022
Waterfall in the Rainforest
Surrounded by trees, vines, lilies, bromeliads, bamboos and avencas, it is this small waterfall. In the rainy season, its water flow increases, its sound creates a contemplative atmosphere. The water flows between rocks, creates constantly changing rhythmic patterns, designs textures, carries leaves with it and opens paths. Recording by Veronica Cerrotta
Fri, December 09, 2022
Beach Front at Hammonassett State Park
936 acre state park on the coast of Madison, Connecticut. The 2 mile long beach front looks out on the Long Island Sound. All field recordings were made in the Natural Area Preserve part of the park during dawn, dusk and night. Recording by Jared Blake
Fri, December 02, 2022
Meadow Stream At Dawn
This soundscape was recorded at dawn beside a spring fed stream as it winds its way through a lush mountain meadow before joining the nearby North Fork of the Sacramento River. This stream is one of numerous spring fed streams that form the headwaters of the Sacramento River - the largest river in California. The meadow sits at the foot of Mount Eddy, the highest peak in the Klamath Mountains, and is surrounded by a diverse conifer forest consisting of Lodgepole Pine, Jeffrey Pine, White Fir, Red Fir, and Incense Cedar. The birds you will hear the most on this recording are active and energetic Mountain Chickadees as they flit about the branches of the nearby pine trees foraging for insects. Recording by Kelly Rafuse
Fri, November 25, 2022
Winter Playlist I
Winter requires adaptation and a little change of habits so that we can embrace and enjoy it the best. Here's for you a curated playlist for this season with winter soundscapes from both hemispheres. Tracklist: Night at Fifteen Mile Creek in Early Winter (Khristos Nizamis) Dawn at Fifteen Mile Creek in Early Winter (Khristos Nizamis) Birdsong in Flói (Magnus Bersson) Iceberg Fragments (Daniel Blinkhorn) Melting Snow in the Forest (Jan Brelih) Into the Old-growth Forest (Lars Edenius) Winter Woodland (Marc Anderson) Morning at a Creek in Early Winter (Khristos Nizamis) Crackly campfire in the woods of Voloderac (Marko Javorski) Winter on the Warta River (Joachim Rupik) Elk Feeding on Snow (Stein Nilsen) Heavy Snowfall in the Beech Forest (Håkan Karlsson) Ice on Graubünden Lake (Felix Blume) Mountain Meadow (Vladimir Arkhipov)
Fri, November 18, 2022
First Stirrings of First Light in a Pine Forest
An unedited, unprocessed excerpt from an attended (listening meditation) night-to-dawn recording made in a small pine forest on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Most, if not all, pine forests here are plantation forests of introduced pine species; and most tend to be adjacent to large tracts of pastoral land for the grazing of cattle and sheep. Different pine forests can have quite different acoustic effects. There is also a significant difference between sounds entering the forest from beyond its limits (such as the occasional calls of cows and sheep that can be heard in this recording, and some of the more distant bird calls), and those produced within it (such as the various native birds that can be heard in this recording, including Australian Magpies, Australian Ravens, and, in particular, the fairly nearby song calls of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo). Recorded on land of the Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri peoples. Recording by Khristos Nizamis
Fri, November 11, 2022
Reassuring Soft Rain in the Rainforest of Costa Rica
The sound of soft rain in the rainforest at dawn is bliss. The soundscape is comforting, relaxing, reassuring. It’s the perfect ambience for slowing down and immersing yourself into the jungle landscape. Birds are taking it easy today. The dawn chorus is almost non-existent, with one or two individuals calling every now and then. Occasionally a Howler monkey clears its throat half-heartedly, only to realise it’s the only mammal calling. Recording and text by George Vlad .
Fri, November 04, 2022
Dawn Unfolding from Secret Spot in the Forest
A hiding spot below the ground floor, surrounded by trees in bloom, mysterious treks and a lake on the other side. This is the surrounding dawn chorus unfolding and revealing the acoustics through the calls of the heron, the carrion crow, the nightingale and many others. Recording by Melissa Pons
Fri, October 28, 2022
Vibrant Outback Dawn in Australia
In the arid outback of Australia, the dawn chorus is often vibrant and diverse. Despite the hostile environment many species thrive. Birds are particularly active early in the day before the heat becomes oppressive and this recording captures the hour after dawn with many birds singing and moving about Recording by Marc Anderson
Fri, October 21, 2022
Dawn chorus in the Forest of Scotland
Scottish summer dawn choruses like this one last long into the morning and feature beautifully exuberant birdsong. There’s a multitude of birds singing at various distances which creates a balanced mix of foreground, mid and background layers. There’s a faint but constant buzzing sound coming from a gorse bush nearby where a variety of insects are feasting on nectar. Recording by George Vlad
Fri, October 14, 2022
Bird Life at the Santee Coastal Reserve
Before the Santee Coastal Reserve (SCR) was protected, much of the land was used for rice farming. The habitat created by rice fields is invaluable to wildlife, and is especially so at the SCR now that the property is managed for the benefit of breeding, migratory and wintering waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds. Besides the managed rice fields, the SCR also features upland forests of longleaf pine and live oak, bottomland cypress swamps, and freshwater, brackish and tidal wetlands. Recording by Jared Blake
Tue, August 30, 2022
Guest episode: interview with Melissa Pons and Rob Rosenthal
Hello friends, this is a guest episode from Sound School Podcast , a bi-weekly podcast on the backstory to great audio storytelling. The wp.earth.fm curator-in-chief, field recordist Melissa Pons brings us into the forest of Sweden, the jungle of Brazil, and to the wolves in Portugal. Re-published with the kind permission of Rob Rosenthal, PRX and Transom . Please let us know in the comments if you have any feedback. Enjoy!
Tue, August 16, 2022
Melting Snow in the Forest for Meditation and Calm
For a change from the summer vibes, we are sharing a rich, exquisite soundscape recorded last winter in a Slovenian forest by our contributor Jan Brelih . We are invited to relax and rest our attention on the sounds of this enchanted forest with ASMR ambience of melting snow in late winter time. The days are getting longer and warmer, the forest is changing.
Sat, July 30, 2022
Peaceful Thrush Nightingale Song for Sleep and Relaxation
The small village Palupõhja is located in the middle of the Alam-Pedja nature reserve in Estonia, where the river Emajõgi flows on the south side of the village. On the banks of the river, between the many willow, bird cherry trees and bushes the nightingales like to sing. Other birds can be heard in the background: Common Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Blackbird, Garden Warbler, Cuckoo and others. This was recorded on May 13th, 2021. Recording and words by Andrus Kannel
Sun, July 10, 2022
Ancien Founa – Morning in the African Rainforest
In this peaceful natural soundscape, our long-term collaborator George Vlad is inviting us to discover the gentle sounds of a morning in the African rainforest of Gabon, in a mystical place called Ancien Founa. As the sun rises and starts heating the forest, the fog drip subsides and the vegetation becomes progressively drier. This causes some grasses and stalks to click and pop, which can sound like water drops at times. If you listen carefully you'll be able to differentiate between the two, especially towards the end. Enjoy! 🙏🏼🌏
Thu, May 05, 2022
A portrait of the White Mountain National Forest
In this contemplative natural soundscape, field recordist Jared Blake managed to capture in binaural sound an elaborate, hour-long portrait of the White Mountain National Forest . From Jared: "These recordings took place throughout the year in the Sandwich Wilderness of the White Mountain National Forest. Each day, I hiked from the parking area directly up the Wonalancet River, jumping from rock to rock. Because I wasn’t on a trail, I was able to experience and capture parts of the Wonalancet largely unknown to the world." Enjoy! 🙏🏼🌏
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