Sound Recordings

British Library Sounds website shortlisted in prestigious awards

The British Library Sounds website (http://sounds.bl.uk/) has been shortlisted in the Education category of this year’s prestigious Lovie Awards.

Named in honour of Ada Lovelace, the world's first computer programmer, the Lovie Awards are the European equivalent of the Webby awards, and highlight the best of Europe's websites, mobiles and apps, online video and interactive advertising. This year, work from over 20 different European countries was shortlisted.

Shortlisted entries into the Lovie Awards are those entries that the judges deemed noteworthy and of a high quality yet were not scored quite high enough to qualify for Gold, Silver or Bronze awards.

See http://lovieawards.eu/winners/ - you need to scroll a long way down the page or to use the filters in the right hand column or your browser's text search feature.

Recording of the week: Golden Oriole

Cheryl Tipp, Wildlife Sounds Curator, writes:

In 1938, wildlife sound recordist Ludwig Koch collaborated with Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother of the Belgians, on a recording project that brought together the songs & calls of 25 birds commonly found across Belgium. In his autobiography, ‘Memoirs of a Birdman’, Ludwig Koch spoke about his attempts to record the song of the Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus:

“I was facing a group of poplar trees and experience has taught me that the Golden Oriole likes these trees and is often hidden in their tops. I started to play a Golden Oriole recording, and after half an hour there came an answer from one of the Poplar trees. Some days later I was able to record this bird’s fine call, which suggests the words 'The cherries are ripe'."

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Early-wildlife-recordings/022M-1SS0001929XX-AFACV0 

These recordings formed the heart of the sound book ‘Les Oiseaux Chanteurs de Laeken’ (Singing Birds of Laeken) which comprised 4 double-sided discs and an accompanying 80 page book. Not intended for the commercial market, these early identification guides were donated to over 20,000 schools across the country.

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the British Library Sounds website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners. This recording is part of the Early Wildlife Recordings collection.

Recording of the week: African Paradise Flycatcher

Cheryl Tipp, Wildlife Sounds Curator, writes:

The African Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis, is an impressive little songbird, both visually and acoustically. Male plumage is usually a combination of smoky grey and a rich tawny chestnut, although colour morphs do occur, and the cascading tail feathers measure almost three times the length of the bird’s body.

The typical song is loud and liquid in nature, comprising phrases of 5-6 notes that are usually repeated with some degree of variation depending on the individual. Like many songbirds with wide distributions, the male song is incredibly varied, both individually and geographically and regional accents occur across its range that covers almost all of sub-Saharan Africa.

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Listen-to-Nature/022M-LISTNAT00322-0001V0

The above extract features the dawn song of a male African Paradise Flycatcher recorded by David Watts during November 1984 at Giants Castle Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Set against a backdrop of birds and insects, the strident song of this energetic songster dominates the scene and gives the listener a small glimpse into the sounds of a South African savanna at dawn.

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the British Library Sounds website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners. This recording is part of the Listen to Nature collection.

(Image: Ruslou / Flickr)

Recording of the week: Humming Haddock

Mark Peter Wright, supported by the Wildlife Sound Trust, writes:

Fish do not necessarily spring to mind for their sonic prowess or vocal capabilities, perhaps because they live in a world we cannot naturally inhabit? However, the acoustic reality of the ocean shows that it is in fact teeming with sound. With the correct recording equipment such as hydrophones (underwater microphones) this otherwise inaccessible world can be brought to the human ear, and in doing so reveals the diverse array of acoustic ecology which exists beneath the surface as well as demonstrating exactly how marine species communicate with one another.

 

The soniferous behavior of marine life effects not only vocal communication between species but also addresses reproductive behaviors, habitat and spatial orientation, often through echolocation. Hunting is another key area for the use of sound underwater with the likes of the Pistol Shrimp stunning potential prey via a relatively thunderous clapping sound produced by its pincers.

The recording presented here dates back to 1967 and was made by Professor A.D. Hawkins. What you hear are the repetitive knocks and humming from a spawning male Haddock courting a female.

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Listen-to-Nature/022M-LISTNAT00110-0001V0 

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the British Library Sounds website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners. 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Recording of the week: Thunder over the Andaman Sea

Cheryl Tipp, Wildlife Sounds Curator, writes:

There is something mesmerizing about witnessing a thunderstorm out at sea, whether it be in person or through listening to a field recording. The combination of rolling thunder together with the ebb and flow of waves immediately stimulates the senses and, depending on the conditions, can infuse the listener with feelings ranging from calmness to exhilaration. This recording, made by Richard Beard at Tub Kaak on the west coast of Thailand, immediately transports the listener to the shoreline of the Andaman Sea, where lapping waves coexist with an almost constant rumble of thunder.

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Weather/022M-WA09020XXXXX-0858V0

The Andaman Sea is a cerulean paradise encasing a network of islands that offer both visual and acoustic treats to any who visit. Many more recordings from this region, including the sounds of rainforests, flowing streams and a range of wildlife voices are archived at the British Library and can be accessed onsite.

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the British Library Sounds website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners. This recording is part of the newly published collection of Weather recordings.

(Image: lisasweet48 / Flickr)

Recording of the week: Rainfall at Palenque

Cheryl Tipp, Wildlife Sounds Curator, writes:

The ruined city of Palenque is considered one of the most impressive and important Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico. Buried deep within the tropical jungle of Chiapas, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its stunning architecture and sculptural artwork.

This recording, made in October 2008 by Richard Beard, captures the sound of rain falling over the abandoned temple complex.

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Weather/022M-WA09020XXXXX-0745V0

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the British Library Sounds website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners. This recording is part of the newly published collection of Weather recordings.

(Image: Tato Grasso / Wikimedia Commons)

Recording of the week: Cry of the Wild

Mark Peter Wright, supported by the Wildlife Sound Trust, writes:

The howl of a wolf is one of the most evocative animal sounds in nature. Even though wolves bark, whine, whimper and growl, it is the howl that defines this nomadic species. Practically, howling is a common method for keeping the wolf pack together; something crucial to the survival of this animal when hunting across the vast forest tundra of a country such as Canada. When a wolf becomes separated from its pack it will inevitably begin to howl; the long duration and modulating pitch help to identify itself and therefore its location in relation to the all-important pack. 

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Listen-to-Nature/022M-LISTNAT00047-0001V0

 

The howl recorded here in 1995 by Canadian field recordist Tom Cosburn is the archetypal call of a lone Grey Wolf sounding its environment. Like an auditory flare, it is a call of contact and reunion. Wolves are not the only animal Cosburn has recorded. For more than 3 decades he has steadily amassed a huge catalogue of wildlife sounds, all of which can be accessed here at the British Library.

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the British Library Sounds website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners. 

Recording of the week: Frog in your Throat?

Cheryl Tipp, Wildlife Sounds Curator, writes:

About the size of a regular tea cup, the American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is considered a giant among its North American cousins. Its voice is equally impressive, consisting of a deep, resonating bellow that sounds a bit like “jug of rum”. This species has a tendency to consume anything that’s put in front of it, so even a jug of rum could be an option if times were really hard.

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Early-wildlife-recordings/022M-1CS0089948XX-2500V0

These recordings were made on 13th April 1947 and feature on disc four of the 1948 sound book ‘Voices of the Night.’

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the British Library Sounds website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners. This recording is part of Early Wildlife Recordings

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Recording of the week: Australian Dawn Chorus

Mark Peter Wright, supported by the Wildlife Sound Trust, writes:

The sound of a dawn chorus has inspired many a poet, musician and painter over the years, not to mention nature enthusiasts, walkers and travellers alike.  As International Dawn Chorus Day has just passed (May 6^th) we thought it relevant to post one of our dawn chorus recordings from the Environment and Nature collection.

http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/Soundscapes/022M-W1CDR0000139-0200V0

This sequence of recordings dates back to 1989 and was made by David Lumsdaine in Australia. Documenting the sounds of the Cambewarra area in New South Wales from 0400-0540 (first light to sunrise), the change in light and heat can be heard to greatly effect the acoustic environment. Birdsong is much more audible during these hours of the day due to a relative drop in background noise (both natural and man-made), in addition to the mentioned rise in temperature and weather elements such as wind being less prevalent. As a result birdsong during a dawn chorus may carry up to 20 times as well as it would at noon. In temperate countries a dawn chorus will occur from springtime to summer as birds attempt to defend territories or attract a mate.

This recording is in three sections and features a wealth of birds and song. From Kookaburras, to Fan-tailed Cuckoos, Friarbirds to Satin Bowerbirds and the soft humming of the Eastern Whipbird, these songs demonstrate the shear variety of species in the area and should hopefully transport you to hotter climates than what we are currently experiencing in London!

Be sure to listen to the other Cambewarra recordings in this series and experience the full range of acoustic activity through day and night.

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the British Library Sounds website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons / Kellie Meek)

Recording of the Week: interview with Skomer Island warden

Cheryl Tipp, Wildlife Sounds Curator, writes:

Listen to an interview with David Saunders who, at the time of this recording, was warden of Skomer Island. Skomer is the second largest island in Wales after Anglesey and supports internationally important populations of seabirds such as the Manx Shearwater and Puffin. Lawrence Shove recorded David Saunders talking about the wildlife of Skomer on location in 1965.

http://sounds.bl.uk/View.aspx?item=022M-W1CDR0001413-0200V0.xml

'Recording of the Week' highlights gems from the Archival Sound Recordings website, chosen by British Library experts or recommended by listeners. This recording is part of British Wildlife Recordings