January 24, 2024

The Reedbed Specialists; Late May at Hjälstaviken

1 hour 2 minutes

In this bonus episode, I take you out to the reedbeds at the southern end of Hjälstaviken Reserve here in Sweden. This incredible site is one of the premier birding reserves in Uppland, Sweden. It offers a wide variety of species, many of which are to be found in the wonderful reedbed habitat that fringes this freshwater lake. Join me, for a day trip to the site in Late May, when many birds are actively displaying on their respective breeding territories. Experience the wonderful sounds of some rather special species at this wonderful location.
Following the early morning spring tour of Hjälstaviken's reedbeds, I answer a question from one of our listeners. During this short section, I will also go into a little detail on how to start field recording birds in the wild, with a brief audio section on what equipment can be sourced and utilized by those with an interest in putting their first steps forward into the world of sound recording...
I will then finish the episode with another section on Nocturnal migration, this time, concentrating on the sounds of Spring migration at Landsort, here in Sweden. I will run through several species recorded at Landsort Sweden over the past few years, complete with a running commentary on each of the recordings featured.

00:00 Introduction to Wild Bird Acoustics

00:03 The Joys of Spring and Bird Watching

01:19 The Arrival of Willow Warbler

03:12 The Return of Wood Sandpiper

03:55 The Early Arrival of Northern Lapwing

04:44 The Sounds of Gadwall and Great Crested Grebe

05:58 The Melody of Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Wryneck

08:14 The Courtship Display of Ring Necked Pheasant

08:59 The Song of Lesser Whitethroat

12:35 A Mixed Singer: Common Chiffchaff

14:58 The Distant Call of Female Northern Eider

17:25 The Busy Woodlands and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker