Jan 13th, 2012 by andrew skeoch
The unmistakable profile of a Common Hoopoe. I love these birds, with their distinctive thin bill and counterbalancing crest. I think they have evolved just to delight me! (Mind you, I could say that about most critters)
Jan 13th, 2012 by andrew skeoch
Coppersmith Barbet feasts on figs. I am so delighted to share this photo. I have always been hoping for a good shot of this bird. Firstly, they are little jewels, secondly they are quite common and vocal, so they’re heard on many of our Indian albums. This image comes from our walk today, when we came across a tree in the grounds of a temple with about a dozen Barbets gorging on the fruit.
Jan 13th, 2012 by andrew skeoch
During our recent trip to India, I uploaded a collection of images of India’s songbirds. I posted a picture a day to our Listening Earth Facebook page for three weeks, and here I’m archiving them all in one place.
Here we go! – week 1.
Three Plain Prinias cuddle up in the morning sunlight.
Jan 13th, 2012 by andrew skeoch
Among the mogul ruins of the ancient Indian town of Orchha, are the huge Raja and Jahangir Mahals, the Chaturbhuj Temple and a collection of impressive chhatris (cenotaphs) on the banks of the River Betwa.
Atop the rooftops of these decaying buildings roost a colony of Indian Vultures. They are huge birds, but we didn’t notice them at first as they blend into the baroque ornament of the spires and parapets. However when they spread their wings and take to the air, they cast shadows on the ground, and looking up… well, they are magnificent. When they alight again, they look so much a part of the roofline – medieval gargoyles, stern against the sky.
Sadly, Indian Vultures have suffered huge population declines – around 98% – in recent years, due to the widespread use of a cattle drug which persists in carcasses and causes kidney failure in vultures. The Govt has banned the drug as of 2010, but it is still being used and it will take a while before it is replaced. And many more years before populations of this long-lived bird may recover.
Jan 13th, 2012 by andrew skeoch
We’re currently in Orchha, and our hotel is part of a mogul palace. A few nights ago, just on dusk, Sarah and I heard the sharp screeching of these owls high up under a massive stone gateway. It seemed their regular roost, and I made a mental note to come down around 6pm and see if I could photograph them.
Family of Barn Owls just after dusk – adult on the right, the curious ones are the youngsters!
Jan 13th, 2012 by andrew skeoch
The Fish Eagles of Nagzira, Central India, introduced by Andrew Skeoch by Listening Earth
Nagzira Wildlife Reserve protects a forested and hilly area in central India where Tigers still roam, and the woodlands are filled with birdsong.
First light across Nagzira Lake.
Oct 12th, 2011 by andrew skeoch
Australia’s ‘Red’ Robins show the Evolution of Birdsong by Listening Earth
Birdsong has evolved over immense periods of time, and with Australia’s Robins, you can hear that evolution in the songs these birds sing today.
Where we live in southern Australia, there are four closely related, ‘red-breasted’, Robin species (note these are Australian Robins of the Petroicidae family – unrelated to the European or American Robins):
The Rose Robin, Petroica rosea, found in dense, wet forests
The Flame Robin, Petroica phoenicea, which prefers more open areas in heavy forest
The Scarlet Robin, Petroica boodang, common in open woodland
and the Red-capped Robin, Petroica goodenovii, found across the drier inland of the country.
Oct 12th, 2011 by andrew skeoch
Andrew introduces ‘Dawn Chorus: Tanzania’ by Listening Earth
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For me, the dawn chorus is nature’s great symphony.
It is a time when nature transitions from the gentle sounds of the night into the activity of the day.
Over the period of around an hour, (which incidentally, is a similar duration to that of a decent classical music symphony), the sounds of nature build and evolve into complex and rich patterns, eventually subsiding into the activity of the day.
I don’t know how many dawn choruses we’ve recorded over the years, but one thing that amazes me is that they can be quite variable, depending upon location, richness of habitat, the season or local weather conditions. They can be rich with diversity, or somewhat thin and disappointing.
Our new album ‘Dawn Chorus: Tanzania’, is the former – one of the most vibrant mornings of birdsong we heard during our recent 7 weeks field recording in East Africa.
Here I introduce how we made this recording. After you’ve listened, you can hear a sample and/or download the complete recording.
This is the first album in our new ‘Dawn Chorus’ series. The next two have also recently been released; lovely recordings from late spring in Scandinavia and the dry inland of Australia -
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May 10th, 2011 by andrew skeoch
On my walk this morning I came across a small flock of Striated Thornbills feeding in the canopy. Here are a few photos of them…
These pics were not easy to get, as thornbills are continually on the move – even on this crisp and cold morning, when we awoke to our first overnight frost of the winter.
LS11 vs SASS/MKH20s Environmental Ambience Recording Comparison by Listening Earth
I’m really no tech-head when it comes to equipment, I just choose the best gear I can to make our nature recordings.
