A mono recording with Wildtronics parabolic dish of a closeup corncrake. What surprised me the most was the wheezing call (1000-2200 Hz) in between the "crex-crex". Most often this call was heard just prior to the song. Not sure if the male prepared itself for the energetic calls. Does anyone know?

Håga, Uppsala. June 16, 2024. 

Wildtronics Parabolic dish + Mixpre 3ii

Wheezing calls of a Corncrake!

ORTF: 8040s (preamp gain 65 dB).
Mid-Side: 8050 and 8030 (preamp gain 65 dB; both channels at 0 dB in M-S decode).

Parallel raw clips to illustrate the difference in recorded levels between the ORTF rig (first clip) and the M-S rig (second clip), both recorded on the same recorder and both with 65 dB preamp gain. (Note how the Boobook Owl pauses its calls during the loudest and nearest part of the jet's passage.)

In all of the subsequent parallel clips, the ORTF recordings have been given +5 dB gain, which brings them very close to the same loudness level as the decoded M-S clips. Both rigs are similarly self-noisy under higher gain settings: neither is ideally suited to extremely quiet nocturnal ambience recording. (According to the manufacturer's specs, all three types of microphone have a self-noise equivalent of 13 dB (A-weighted).)

ORTF and Mid-Side (Parallel Recordings). 1. Boobook and Jet.

Tawny Owl Pair, Forest Clearing.

47 Eno said 2

An Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) in reeds beside a bay formed a little way inland from the edge of Lake Alexandrina, within Tolderol Game Reserve.

(One of a set of exploratory 8030/8060 mid-side recordings made deliberately in windy/gusty conditions. Radius hoops and M-S clips were mounted inside a Rycote WS3 with windjammer (hence the 8030 capsule was near the middle of the windshield's length: not aligned with (obstructed by) either of the end-cap connector rings at the two ends of the windshield). The rig was used both hand-held and on a tripod. In this recording, the rig is mounted on a tripod, set low to the ground. No EQ or other processing has been used, in order to present the characteristics of the original recording.)

Recorded respectfully in the country of the Ngarrindjeri peoples  (specifically, the Warki or Warkend family group).

2025.12.17 Reed Warbler. Tolderol. Windy Summer Afternoon.

An Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) and a few Spotted Marsh Frogs (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) at the edge of Lake Alexandrina, Tolderol Game Reserve. Two Little Black Cormorants (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) fly overhead.

(One of a set of exploratory 8030/8060 mid-side recordings made deliberately in windy/gusty conditions. Radius hoops and M-S clips were mounted inside a Rycote WS3 with windjammer (hence the 8030 capsule was near the centre of the windshield's length: not aligned with (obstructed by) either of the end-cap connector rings at the two ends of the windshield). The rig was used both hand-held and on a tripod. In this recording, the rig is mounted on a tripod, set low to the ground. No EQ or other processing has been used, in order to present the characteristics of the original recording.)

Recorded respectfully in the country of the Ngarrindjeri peoples (specifically, the Warki or Warkend family group).

2025.12.17 Reed Warbler by Lake Alexandrina. Tolderol. Windy Summer Afternoon.

The first isolated call is likely from a Grey Shrike-thrush. Soon after, high-pitched calls from a pair of male Superb Fairy Wrens. Three White-browed Babblers arrive, moving from tree to tree. As they recede, a single bird - apparently a Grey Shrikethrush (possibly juvenile) - passes through, also moving from tree to tree, repeating a harsh, scolding call. (The Babblers can still be heard in the background.)

(One of a set of exploratory 8030/8060 mid-side recordings made deliberately in windy/gusty conditions. Radius hoops and M-S clips were mounted inside a Rycote WS3 with windjammer (hence the 8030 capsule was near the centre of the windshield's length: not aligned with (obstructed by) either of the end-cap connector rings at the two ends of the windshield). The rig was used both hand-held and on a tripod. In this recording, the rig is mounted on a tripod, set low to the ground. No EQ or other processing has been used, in order to present the characteristics of the original recording.)

Recorded respectfully in the country of the Ngarrindjeri peoples (specifically, the Warki or Warkend family group).

2025.12.14 Shrikethrush, Fairy Wrens, Babblers. Gusty Mallee Afternoon. Summer.

Lonely  Gas station at night some wind ratling metal air condition dogs distant

Red Deer Barking - Parabolic dish with mid side baffle  - mic made by Marco Pesente. (naturesound.it) 

Red Deer Barks, mid side recording with parabolic reflector.

Field sound recordist and archivist of vanishing sounds in natural Iandscapes. Highly commended in the Sound of the Year Awards 2024 - Best Natural Sound.

Wheezing calls of a Corncrake!

Bo Söderström