Sound Recordings
Sound Recordings
Vulkathunha Dawn
The sound of dawn bird song recorded amongst the trees lining a small valley on the edge of the Valkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, in South Australia. The recording location was close to Nudlamutana Hut where we spent several days on a recent trip.
Cape Nelson Clifftop Heathland
This is a short recording which captures the sounds of the cliff top heathlands at Cape Nelson, near Portland. This is one of the very few recordings I was able to make during a recent trip to the Western borderland of Victoria, due to wet and windy conditions for the majority of the trip.
The recording is mainly environmental, rather than focused on bird call, and features the surf crashing on cliffs of the cape, wind in the heathland shrubs and bushes, the sounds of crickets, and the occasional bird call.
Yellow-Tailed Black-Cockatoos feeding in Wattle
A short recording of a flock of Yellow-Tailed Black-Cockatoos feeding in a stand of wattle at Adobe Mudbrick Holiday Flats, Mallacoota.
The Yellow-Tailed Black-Cockatoo are a large Cockatoo with a powerful beak. In this recording the flock were feeding on grubs in branches of the wattle by tearing the wood apart with their beak.One YTBC calls several times and you can hear the sounds of branches being torn apart.
Karbeethong Rainforest Gully, Mallacoota
Situated close to the edge of Mallacoota, Karbeethong is a stronghold of the Superb Lyrebird. This recording includes Lyrebird mimicry of Eastern Whipbird calls which seemed to be associated with foraging. The Other birds which can be heard include Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairywren, Eastern Whipbird, Olive Backed Oriole and Wonga Pigeon. The roar of the surf is quite prominent and could be heard clearly with the "naked ear" despite the Gully being located 3-4km from the ocean beaches.
The gully where this recording was made is part of the property surrounding Margaret & Peter Kurz' fantastic Adobe Mudbrick Holiday Flats
Scarlet Honeyeater Solo, Howe Flat
Another recording made on the Howe Flat Boardwalk. This time a male Scarlet Honeyeater calling from the canopy of tea-trees. We hadn't really heard the Scarlet Honeyeaters before as they are a fairly rare visitor to Melbourne, although they have been seen in the Outer Eastern suburbs earlier in the year. Once we knew the call it was apparent that Gippsland was teeming with these little red and black birds.
Rufous Whistler at Howe Flat Boardwalk
- Howe Flat Boardwalk
A Rufous Whistler recorded on the Boardwalk leading to the coast track at Howe Flat, Croajingolong National Park. The recording was made late on a particularly windy morning, and the tea-tree lining the boardwalk can be heard clacking and rustling in the wind. The roar of the surf on the coast contributes to the low level rumble. Other species which can be heard include Grey Fantail, Eastern Whipbird and Little Wattlebird.
The boardwalk is on the edge of the Cape Howe Wilderness area and is accessible by 4wd track. The track was reopened after a seasonal closure a few days before our visit.
Brown Treecreepers at Mopoke Hut
Brown Treecreepers calling shortly before dusk at the Mopoke Hut, Murray-Sunset National Park, in the Victorian Mallee region. Recorded 10 September 2010.
Other birds that can be heard include Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, and in the background Crested Bellbird, Southern Whiteface, White-crowned Babbler, Australian Magpie, amongst others.
Cockatiels at Lake Mungo
This recording captures the sound of a flock of Cockatiels (around 20-30 birds) flying past the mic's and landing in nearby trees. The flock continues to call to each other, as birds fly off to feed on the ground near by.
Recording Equipment: AT3032 omni mics, SBRS stereo rig, Sound Devices 722 recorder
Pied Butcherbird at Lake Hattah
Recorded shortly after dawn, on a calm and sunny morning at Lake Hattah.
Recording gear: SBRS stereo rig with AT3032 mics and Sound Devices 722 recorder.
Two Robins at Mopoke Hut, Murray-Sunset National Park
- Mopoke Hut surrounds
Hooded and Red-Capped Robins calling in the pre-dawn darkness. Recorded near Mopoke Hut, Murray-Sunset National Park, Victoria, Australia on 12 September 2010. The Hooded Robin's "laughing" call is usually only heard before dawn.
The photo was taken from the approximate location of the mic rig, however facing 90degrees from the orientation of the microphones. This should give an idea of the extent to which the area has been cleared.