Finnish nature resounds vol 2 -
Tales of the wilderness
37 tracks, 77 species, total time 71'58"
1 WILLOW GROUSE / SOUNDSCAPE Lagopus lagopus. 24 April 1999,
3.20 am, Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo. A Willow Grouse
giving its characteristic cackles and bursts of laughter on the
edge of a pine mire. Also heard is the sound of the Willow Grouse
taking wing, and, towards the end of the track, the courtship of
the Black Grouse. Black Grouse, Jack Snipe, Robin, Redwing, Song
Thrush, Whooper Swan, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Mallard,
Common Teal, Sky Lark, Eurasian Wigeon, Long-eared Owl, Common
Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Goldeneye. 4'33"
2 EURASIAN TREECREEPER / SOUNDSCAPE Certhia familiaris. 30 April
1998, 7.35 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of
Kaislastenlahti, Palonen. The piercing, clear-toned song of the
Eurasian Treecreeper. This bird with a sharp hooky bill favours
old mixed or spruce forests. The sparkling brook in the backgroud
adds a special feature to the warm April morning. Common
Chaffinch, Siskin, Fieldfare, Green Sandpiper, Common Bullfinch.
2´25"
3 SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus. 25 April 1999, 11.00 pm,
Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo. The mysterious soft
pumping call of the secretive Short-eared Owl. The recording was
made on a calm April night on the edge of an open bog. 1'27"
4 BLACK WOODPECKER Dryocopus martius. 25 April 1999, 7.20 am,
Maaninka (Eastern Finland), Ruokovirta. The long drumbursts and
high metallic courtship calls of the Black Woodpecker. This
extraordinary "spring-neck" lives in the backwoods and
ancient forests. The recording was made in a coniferous forest
with stout trees growing on the shore. Greenfinch, Black Grouse,
Redwing, Common Gull, Crow, Whooper Swan, Pied Wagtail,Green
Sandpiper, Fieldfare, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Teal,
Great Tit, Common Chaffinch. 2'15"
5 DUNNOCK / SOUNDSCAPE Prunella modularis. 5 May 1999, 3.30 am,
Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti. The gentle
warbling song of the Dunnock at the crack of dawn. The spruce
forest is filled with the smell of conifer and bird song. Black
Grouse, Common Redpoll, Willow Tit, Common Chaffinch, Goldcrest.
1'20"
6 BLACK GROUSE (male) Tetrao tetrix. 21 May 1998, 0.40 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki. A courting Black Grouse
cooing and beating its wings in the crystal air of the cold
spring night. Tengmalm´s Owl. 1'37"
7 CRESTED TIT Parus cristatus. 12 May 1999, 3.30 am, Kuopio
(Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Palonen. The
trilling song of the Crested Tit. This lively bird typically
inhabits forests dominated by pine trees. Willow Tit, Black
Grouse, Robin, Common Redpoll, Tree Pipit. 1'16"
8 COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita. 12 May 1999, 3.50 am,
Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Palonen.
The song of the Common Chiffchaff sounds like water dripping in a
barrel. Here this lively bird of old-growth spruce forest is
chirping out its song from the top of a spruce in the brisk May
morning. Song Thrush, Common Chaffinch, Fieldfare, Siskin.
2'47"
9 COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus. 21 May 1998, 3.40 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki. A courting pair of Common
Cuckoos. The female, attracted by the male´s ´kuk-kooh´ calls,
responds with a series of piercing notes delivered at high
frequency. The conversation continues with soft wheezing and
puffing sounds. Common Chaffinch, Black Grouse, Siskin, Willow
Tit, Redwing. 1'41"
10 TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis. 22 May 1999, 5.05 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki. The cheerful, fresh tones of
the Tree Pipit. Here this lively little creature chirps out its
song from the top branches of a pine tree, occasionally taking
off for a short song flight. Common Redpoll, Black Grouse, Common
Chaffinch, Siskin, Brambling, Goldcrest, Greenshank. 2'59"
11 COMMON REDPOLL Carduelis flammea. 26 May 1999, 5.30 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki. A group of small, spirited
Common Redpolls singing their "slurping" song.
Encountering these lively creatures in the wilderness, usually in
flocks, is a delightful experience. Whooper Swan, Willow Warbler,
Green Sandpiper, Tree Pipit, Bohemian Waxwing, Common Chaffinch,
Brambling, Common Cuckoo. 2'10"
12 COMMON CUCKOO (male) / SOUNDSCAPE Cuculus canorus. 22 May
1999, 7.00 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki. The
Common Cuckoo giving its characteristic, clear call by a remote
riverside meadow. Willow Warbler, Brambling, Willow Tit, Common
Chaffinch, Great Tit, Common Snipe, Song Thrush. 2'20"
13 BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla. 22 May 1999, 4.40 am,
Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki. The rolling song and
wheezing calls of a Brambling. This northern species is found in
all kinds of woodland. Here the bird is surrounded by the
unbroken peace of the wilderness. Black Grouse, Willow Warbler.
1'19"
14 SOUNDSCAPE 13 May 1999, 4.55 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the
bay of Kaislastenlahti, Palonen. A spring brook at dawn. Common
Crosbill, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit. 2'06"
15 SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia. 28 May 1999, 4.45 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), Rovevaara. A colony of Sand Martins at their
nests in an isolated sand pit in the hinterlands. 0'51".
16 BLACK GROUSE (female) Tetrao tetrix. 22 May 1999, 5.15 am,
Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki. The sounds of a Black
Grouse female, accompanied by other birds singing in the spring
forest. Here the bird settles on the top of a pine tree to cackle
and cluck for a while, then takes off again. Brambling, Tree
Pipit, Siskin. 1'20"
17 MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus. 4 June 1999, 7.40 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), Niinivaara. A Mistle Thrush singing its
beautiful, melancholy song. This delightful sound is most often
heard in sunny pine forests sometimes growing on rocky soil.
Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit. 2'32"
18 RUSTIC BUNTING Emberiza rustica. 4 June 1999, 5.25 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki. A Rustic Bunting singing its
delightfully clear flute-like song. This pretty little bird
prefers swampy coniferous or mixed forest with clearings and
poorly developed trees. This recording was made in a riverside
mire with pines and spruces. The distant rumble of the rapids can
be heard from further out in the wilderness. Spotted Flycatcher,
Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Common Chaffinch, Common Snipe.
1'25"
19 WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix. 1 June 1998, 4.10 am,
Karttula (Eastern Finland), Talluskylä. A Wood Warbler singing
its clear warbling trill that accelerates towards the end and is
followed by a series of flute-like sounds recalling the Willow
Tit. This species favours old mixed forest with mainly deciduous
trees and bushes and young spruces as undergrowth. The bird
singing on this track was perched on a branch close to the ground
deep inside the forest. Tree Pipit, Common Cuckoo, Song Thrush,
Fieldfare, Crow, Willow Warbler. 1'59"
20 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva. 11 June 1999, klo 4.00
am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the pond of Vuorilampi. The clear
and wistfully descending phrases of the Red-breasted Flycatcher.
This rare bird with a ringing voice is found in old-growth mixed
forest. Common Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest.
2'09"
21 THREE-TOED WOODPECKER Picoides tridactylus. 11 June 1999, 5.25
am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the pond of Vuorilampi. A secretive
and quiet bird, the Three-toed Woodpecker lives deep inside
pristine spruce forests. This recording was made at the bird´s
nesthole in a wooded hollow. The nestlings are begging with a
loud squeaking sound, while one of the parents is calling softly
nearby. Robin, Song Thrush. 1'41"
22 ARCTIC WARBLER Phylloscopus borealis. 20 June 1999, 8.35 am,
Kontiolahti (Eastern Finland), Jakokoski. The song of the Arctic
Warbler is a series of clear, jingling notes. This bird is found
in remote northern areas, especially around the margins of
mountain streams with birch forest. Here the bird is singing
perched on the top branches of a birch tree. Garden Warbler,
Willow Warbler, Whinchat, Common Chaffinch. 1'22"
23 ORIENTAL CUCKOO Cuculus saturatus. 28 June 1998, 8.15 am,
Lieksa (Eastern Finland), Tolkeinvaara. The display call of the
Oriental Cuckoo in the wilderness near the Russian border. The
disyllabic call of this bird is reminiscent of the Hoopoe´s, but
deeper and with the characteristic ´poo-poo´ call repeated 3-4
times. This is the first time that a singing Oriental Cuckoo has
been observed in Western Europe. 1'01"
24 GREENISH WARBLER / SOUNDSCAPE Phylloscopus trochiloides. 11
June 1999, 3.40 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the pond of
Vuorilampi. The Greenish Warbler singing its bustling and
stumbling song, hiding on the upper branches of a tree. The
recording was made by a pond in a spruce forest with a scattering
of deciduous trees. Wood Warbler, Wood Pigeon, Eurasian
Treecreeper, Wren, Common Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Goldcrest.
1'55"
25 OSPREY Pandion haliaetus. 19 August 1999, 9.40 am, the rural
commune of Pieksämäki (Eastern Finland), Ringinsuo. The alarm
and contact calls of an Osprey nesting in a wilderness area
surrounded by several lakes. The recording was made on the edge
of a spruce mire with dried-up pines standing here and there.
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Jay. 1'07"
26 PARROT CROSSBILL Loxia pytyopsittacus. 25 August 1998, 6.50
am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Suovu.
The Parrot Crossbill, a bird of the pine forest, singing on a
crisp morning in early autumn. Also heard is the sound of water
dripping down from the trees. Eurasian Jay. 1'10"
27 GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor. 19 August 1999, 9.55 am,
the rural commune of Pieksämäki (Eastern Finland), Ringinsuo.
The piercing squeaks and jay-like harsh croaks of the Great Grey
Shrike. Recorded by a clump of spruces in the middle of an open
bog. Great Spotted Woodpecker. 0'46"
28 BEAR Ursus arctos. 8 September 1998, 6.10 am, Kuopio (Eastern
Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Suovu. A bear making noise
in a young spruce stand. The roars are probably warning signs
emitted by the bear as it scents a danger. Eurasian Jay.
0'37"
29 HAZEL GROUSE Bonasa bonasia. 2 September 1998, 6.20 am, Kuopio
(Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Lake Lammasjärvi.
The gentle whistle of the Hazel Grouse, living deep in the
forest. Also heard is the purring of its wings as it flies in the
misty morning. Crossbills. 2'18"
30 HAWK OWL Surnia ulula. 21 February 1999, 11.20 pm, Rautalampi
(Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo. The sharp clear-toned contact calls
of a Hawk Owl, perched between a spruce mire and an open bog.
0'49"
31 WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos leucotos. 14 March 1999,
8.20 am, Northern Savo (Eastern Finland). The display drumming of
the White-backed Woodpecker, an endangered species in Finland.
The drumburst is strong and long-lasting, weakening towards the
end. The recording was made on a cold winter morning in an old
deciduous forest with stout aspens and birches. In the foreground
you can hear the shorter drumburst of the Three-toed Woodpecker.
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common
Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Common Bullfinch. 4'00"
32 EAGLE OWL Bubo bubo. 12 March 1999, 11.20 pm, Kuopio (Eastern
Finland), Pelonniemi. The impressive hollow hooting of an Eagle
Owl calling beside the cliffs where it has its nest. The
recording was made on a cold starlit night in March. 1'28"
33 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major. 21 March 1999,
9.40 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), Riistavesi. The Great Spotted
Woodpecker feels at home both in the wilderness and around human
settlement. This recording starts with short drumbursts, followed
by regular tapping as the bird is searching for food. After that,
noises from a territorial dispute, shrill ´kik´ sounds and
intense calling. The recording was made within the bird´s
territory in an old-growth forest on a winter morning. Great Tit,
Blue Tit, Common Redpoll, Common Bullfinch. 3'32"
34 GREAT GREY OWL Strix nebulosa. 25 March 1999, 1.35 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), Syrjävaara. The rarely heard, mysterious
puffing calls of a courting Great Grey Owl male. This is a bird
that resides in remote wilderness areas. The recording was made
on the bird´s nesting territory in a patchy old coniferous
forest. The wind whining in the background is heralding a snow
flurry. 1'40"
35 PYGMY OWL Glaucidium passerinum. 14 March 1999, 6.10 pm, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), Sivakkavaara. The courtship whistle of the
Pygmy Owl in the clear bluish light of the late February evening.
1'42"
36 BEAN GOOSE / SOUNDSCAPE Anser fabalis. 29 April 1998, 4.35 am,
Maaninka (Eastern Finland), Mustavirta. The nasal cackle of the
Bean Goose. A flock of geese on their migration have stopped to
forage in a shoreline meadow. Black-headed Gull, Fieldfare,Willow
Tit, Eurasian Curlew, Black Grouse, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Common
Teal, Redwing, Common Chaffinch. 1'50"
37 CAPERCAILLIE Tetrao urogallus. 18 April 1999, 4.40 am,
Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), the bay of Vihtalahti. The gulps
and saw-whetting calls of a courting Capercaillie cock. The early
morning hour is warm and damp, with trees dripping with water.
Common Redpoll, Black Grouse, Song Thrush, Siskin. 1'58"
Translated by Kirsi Komonen and Ewen Macdonald 2004