Finnish nature resounds vol 5 -
In the land of lakes
30 tracks, 66 species, total time 72'15"
1 COMMON GOLDENEYE / SOUNDSCAPE Bucephala clangula. 8 May
2001, 4.45 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
The perky-looking Common Goldeneye is a delightful sight as it
appears in the first spots of open water on Finnish lakes. A
courting pair of these birds makes a wide variety of sounds - one
of the noisiest being the whistle of their wings when in flight.
In this sample you can hear the male and female bird splashing
water and occasionally taking flight. A creaking sound by the
male is also heard at times. The lake is bathing in the light of
the spring morning and birds are singing in the background. Great
Tit, Northern Lapwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Curlew,
Hooded Crow, Black Grouse, Fieldfare, Wood Pigeon, Common Cuckoo,
Redwing, Siskin, Common Gull, Blue Tit. 2'43"
2 BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata. 10 July 2000, 4.55 am,
Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Niinivaara, Lake Niskalampi. A pair of
Black-throated Divers have settled to nest on the crystal-clear
lake lined by a broad ridge. The summer is at its height, but
there is already a hint of autumn in the voice of the male,
calling on the lake at dawn. The smooth lake and the tall pines
nearby provide an impressive backdrop for the bird. Willow
Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Herring Gull. 3'11"
3 LITTLE GULL Larus minutus. 25 June 2001, 4.15 am, Rautalampi
(Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo, Lake Lintujärvi. While the first
rays of sunrise are falling on the bird lake, a colony of Little
Gulls are busy with their morning chores. This species breeds in
richly vegetated shore areas with dense reedbeds, often next to
colonies of the Black-headed Gull. The bird is easy to identify
by its piercing, nasal "kyek", often repeated several
times without interruption. Black-headed Gull, Yellowhammer.
2'12"
4 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER / SOUNDSCAPE Mergus serrator. 29 May
2002, 4.40 am, Karttula (Eastern Finland), Lake Hirvijärvi. The
Red-breasted Merganser favours clear, nutrient-poor lakes. In
this sample the female is flying over the nesting lake early in
the morning, giving a gruff ´ahrrk-ahrrk´ while in flight. The
birds in the forest by the lake add their song to the soundscape.
Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Black Grouse, Garden
Warbler, Common Chaffinch, Common Gull. 1'18"
5 COMMON TEAL Anas crecca. 3 May 2001, 2.45 am, Kaavi (Eastern
Finland), Sivakkavaara. The short, clear mating whistles of a
Common Teal male, occupying a peaceful pond in the middle of the
forest. This small, variegated duck nests on all kinds of waters.
Also heard is the whirring of the wings of Black Grouses flying
in the spring night. The dawn is approaching, with intense
courtship scenarios just ahead. Common Snipe, Common Toad.
1'28"
6 MOOR FROG Rana arvalis. 7 May 2002 klo 1.05, Rautalampi
(Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo, Lake Lintujärvi. After the ice has
disappeared from bird lakes and shallow reedy coves you can hear
an impressive concert on a spring night. The air is filled with
the bubbling sound of the Moor Frogs, congregating to spawn in
their hundreds, or even thousands. Wood Sandpiper. 2'13"
7 RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena. 9 May 2001, 10.55 pm,
Vesanto (Eastern Finland), Sonkari, the bay of Koivulahti. A pair
of Red-necked Grebes passionately courting on a grassy lake cove.
In calm weather, the squealing of these birds can carry for
several kilometres over the surface of the lake. Frolicking in
the shelter of the reedbed, the birds emit loud calls alternating
with softer sounds. Moor Frog, Common Snipe, Great Bittern.
2'15"
8 COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos. 4 June 2002, 2.00 am,
Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti. The
delightfully vibrant song of the Common Sandpiper is one of the
typical sounds heard on the Finnish shores in early summer. The
presence of this lively creature, the calm surface of the lake
and the first rays of sunrise provide an ideal setting for rest
and relaxation. In the sample, the male and female bird are
flying just above the water, occasionally settling on rocks. All
the while, the jingling song continues uninterrupted. Also heard
is the splashing of fish rising to the surface to spawn. Common
Gull, Black Grouse, Fieldfare, Herring Gull, Woodcock, Redwing,
Blackbird. 3'30"
9 WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus. 29 May 2001, 11.45 pm, Pori
(South-Western Finland), Lake Viasvesi. Venturing to the shores
of a bird lake on an early summer night, you might hear a
peculiar sound coming from the reedbed: a series of creaking
sounds, occasionally turning into piercing piglike squeals. This
unmistakable sound belongs to the Water Rail. At the time of
recording, there were two individuals calling within the
vegetation. Sedge Warbler, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Reed
Warbler. 2'01"
10 COMMON TOAD Bufo bufo. 20 May 1998, 11.50 pm, Kaavi (Eastern
Finland), Niinivaara, the pond of Niskalampi. In May, after the
ice has disappeared from lakes and ponds, you can hear something
strange if you go out at night. A closer inspection reveals that
the dry crunchy noise coming from the water belongs to spawning
frogs. The Common Toad prefers to spawn in peaceful ponds or lake
coves with relatively deep water by the shore. In this sample,
sounds of another group of spawning frogs can be heard from the
opposite side of the pond. Black Grouse. 1'07"
11 SOUNDSCAPE # 1. 2 May 2000, 3.45 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland),
River Vaikkojoki, the ponds of Rakkinelampi. River Vaikkojoki has
overflown its banks and flooded a shoreline meadow. The meadow
and a few ponds nearby provide an ideal setting for waterfowl and
shorebirds to rest and forage. A nightly shower has left the
trees lining the flood meadow dripping with water. With the first
warm nights of the spring, the frogs are starting to spawn.
Common Teal, Common Snipe, Pintail, Green Sandpiper, Eurasian
Wigeon, Robin, Song Thrush. 1'53"
12 WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus. 23 April 2000, 6.55 am, Kuopio
(Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti. In April, when
lakes remain largely frozen, some open water can already be found
by the southern shorelines. A group of Whooper Swans on passage
have settled in one of these spots to get some food and rest.
While the birds are foraging, a quiet "chatter" can be
heard coming from the group. At times the birds get swept away
with the thrill of courtship and start frolicking and splashing
water, with their display calls ringing in the air. In the
background, other birds are giving a concert in a nearby forest.
Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Tree Pipit, Redwing, Fieldfare,
Common Goldeneye. 2'30"
13 COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo. 17 July 2002, 5.20 am, Kaavi
(Eastern Finland), Lake Syrjäjärvi. A group of Common Terns
flying lazily around their nesting rocks. While smoothly gliding
above the calm water, the birds are calling continuously. For
these birds, the summer is already nearing its end and the Common
Terns will soon set out on their long journey south.
Black-throated Diver. 1'01"
14 MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus. 25 April 1999, 5.05 am,
Maaninka (Eastern Finland), Lake Lapinjärvi. Bird lakes lined
with large reedbeds are the typical habitat of the Marsh Harrier.
This sample contains the rarely heard sound of the female bird at
its nest, calling the male with a series of mewing sounds. The
male bird usually answers with a high-pitched, piercing peep, not
included in this sample. Black-headed Gull, Black Grouse, Reed
Bunting, Hooded Crow, Eurasian Curlew. 0'56"
15 SOUNDSCAPE #2. 25 June 2001, 2.30 am, Rautalampi (Eastern
Finland), Rastunsuo, Lake Lintujärvi. On a midsummer morning,
the soundscape of the bird lake is dominated by gulls. In this
sample, three species are heard simultaneously. For an
experienced bird-watcher, the easiest way to distinguish between
the different gulls is by sound. Black-headed Gull, Little Gull,
Common Gull, Yellowhammer. 2'58"
16 EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope. 26 April 2001, 3.40 am,
Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo, Lake Lintujärvi. In
late April, peculiar sounds can be heard around the breeding site
of the Eurasian Wigeon, as the male is giving its far-carrying
territorial call, sounding like a whiplash. Here the passionately
courting male is surrounded by a variety of sounds of the bird
lake in the spring night. Common Gull, Moor Frog, Common
Goldeneye, Eurasian Curlew, Black Grouse, Whooper Swan, Mallard,
Common Teal, Great Crested Grebe. 2'05"
17 GREAT REED WARBLER Acrocephalus arundinaceus. 16 June 2001,
1.20 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), Lamperila. A Great Reed
Warbler singing within the tall reeds on a well-vegetated pond.
The bird climbs up the reedstem while singing. The performance of
this nocturnal singer is a combination of coarse wheezing sounds
and funny squeaks. Here the compelling notes of the bird resound
in the light summer night. Redwing, Reed Bunting, Fieldfare,
Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Curlew. 2'19"
18 GREAT BITTERN / SOUNDSCAPE Biotaurus stellaris. 9 May 2001,
10.45 pm, Vesanto (Eastern Finland), Sonkari, the bay of
Koivulahti. The booms of the Great Bittern coming from within the
reedbed can be heard at over 5 kilometres. The call is
unmistakable, resembling blowing into an empty bottle. Moor Frog,
Common Snipe, Red-necked Grebe, Wood Sandpiper, Great Crested
Grebe, Redwing, Common Pochard. 4'17"
19 NORTHERN SHOVELER / SOUNDSCAPE Anas clypeata. 27 April 2001,
4.00 am, Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo, Lake
Lintujärvi. The Northern Shoveler breeds on richly vegetated
lakes and coves. In this recording the male is giving soft
subdued sounds near the shore, surrounded by a variety of sounds
of the awakening bird lake. Northern Lapwing, Moor Frog, Redwing,
Mallard, Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Wigeon, Robin, Common Teal,
Song Thrush, Black Grouse, Common Goldeneye. 1'58"
20 SOUNDSCAPE # 3. 27 April 2001, 4.35 am, Rautalampi (Eastern
Finland), Rastunsuo, Lake Lintujärvi. The sound of waterfowl
flying above the lake in the hazy morning just before dawn. You
can hear the wings of the birds cutting through the air, as they
whir by following the shoreline. The bubbling of the Moor Frogs
and other sounds of the awakening bird lake provide a vibrant
backdrop for the scene. Robin, Song Thrush, Eurasian Wigeon,
Common Teal, Yellowhammer, Common Gull, Mallard, Black Grouse,
Black-headed Gull, Northern Shoveler. 3'28"
21 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius. 28 May 2001, 2.30 am,
Pori (South-Western Finland), Lake Viasvesi. The Little Ringed
Plover breeds on wide sandy or silty shores and other sparsely
vegetated open terrain. The display flight of this small plover
is characterised by slow wingbeats, frequent changes in direction
and swinging the body from side to side. In this sample you can
hear a pair of Little Ringed Plovers in a display flight. While
in flight, the male emits loud calls, sometimes turning into a
clear trill. Common Snipe. 1'47"
22 COMMON GULL Larus canus. 30 May 2001, 2.20 am, Merikarvia,
Lake Prinssijärvi. The call of the Common Gull is one of the
distinctive sounds of spring. This bird is a common breeder in
Lake-Finland - the central part of the country, sprinkled with an
untold number of lakes. It is always a joy to hear the first
gulls calling in the sky in the spring. Here you can hear the
shrieks of a Common Gull wheeling above its nesting lake. The day
has yet to break and the spring night is still quiet. Redwing.
1'45"
23 SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus. 30 May 2001, 4.05 am,
Merikarvia, Lake Prinssijärvi. After the ice has disappeared in
spring, the scarce Slavonian Grebe appears on its nesting pond.
This beautiful grebe breeds on marshy ponds and coves. This
sample includes the territorial calls of a nesting pair, followed
by warbling display calls and the characteristic sound from the
wings of the birds, as they frolick in the water. Common
Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Black Grouse, Wood Pigeon, Common
Pheasant. 1'21"
24 REED BUNTING/SOUNDSCAPE Emberiza schoeniclus. 21 May 2000,
5.20 am, Maaninka (Eastern Finland), the bay of Patalahti. After
returning from the south in late March or April, the Reed
Buntings settle on their nesting grounds on well-vegetated shore
areas. The clear twitter of this black-headed bird is typically
heard beside water. The song of the Reed Bunting is quite varied.
The short, reeling phrase heard here is somewhat
uncharacteristic. Wood Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Whooper Swan,
Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Jackdaw, Great Bittern.
1'40"
25 BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus. 28 April 2002, 4.30 am,
Siilinjärvi (Eastern Finland), Lake Keskimmäinen. In the
summer, the Finnish lake landscape is not complete without the
characteristic calls of the lively Black-headed Gull. Here a
small group of these birds is foraging in the shoreline. Willow
Tit, Fieldfare, Redwing. 2'21"
26 LITTLE CRAKE Porzana parva. 10 May 2002, 0.55 am, Varkaus
(Eastern Finland), Lake Ruokojärvi. A Little Crake male
performing its "display song" from the reedbed of a
bird lake. The song of this rare bird consists of a series of
funny ´kwak-kwak´ sounds, accelerating and dropping in pitch
towards the end. Moor Frog, Sedge Warbler. 4'16"
27 RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata. 6 August 2002, 6.05 am,
Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Syrjävaara, Lake Kalaton. The
relatively rare Red-throated Diver is most often found on marshy
ponds in the wilderness. While nesting on these smaller waters,
the birds commonly forage on larger lakes. In this late-summer
recording, young Red-throated Divers, already fully-fledged, are
flying with their parents above the nesting lake. 1'50"
28 COMMON COOT Fulica atra. 28 April 2002, 7.30 am, Maaninka
(Eastern Finland), the bay of Kinnulanlahti. The Common Coot
lives on the wide grassy shores of bird lakes. Though it
typically hides itself in the reedbed, the bird reveals itself by
its call. The repertoire of sounds of this bird ranges from
quiet, soft-sounding calls to a variety of metallic screeches. On
this track, the birds are chasing each other, calling intensely
and splashing water in a territorial dispute. Lapwing, Sky Lark,
Common Chaffinch, Black-headed Gull, Eurasian Curlew,
Yellowhammer. 1'26"
29 MALLARD / SOUNDSCAPE Anas platyrhynchos. 26 April 2002, 3.45
am, Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo, Lake Lintujärvi. A
group of Mallards during their migration are now resting on the
bird lake. The "chattering" of the ducks is heard
against the background of a wide variety of sounds of the spring
night. Moor Frog, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull,
Common Teal, Common Goldeneye, Whooper Swan, Eurasian Curlew,
Black Grouse, Robin, Northern Shoveler. 4'04"
30 SOUNDSCAPE # 4. 29 May 2002, 5.15 am, Karttula (Eastern
Finland), Lake Hirvijärvi. A concert of birds in early summer by
a lake sprinkled with islands. The patchy, mixed forest standing
by the lake is an ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds.
Siskin, Tufted Duck, Black Grouse, Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler,
Whooper Swan, Common Chaffinch, Blackbird, Redwing. 4'01"
Translated by Kirsi Komonen and Ewen Macdonald 2004