I was out kayaking in Lake Tämnaren when I spotted a calling Bittern very close in a canal. Often when you hear a Bittern close up you hear the "inhalation" but I never before heard the ticking noise preceding the inhalation. I wonder if this is something all bitterns do before calling to increase the pressure!? In the background you hear Black Terns, probably the largest colony in all of Scandinavia with about 100 pairs.

Sörsjön, Tämnaren. June 8, 2025.
AudioTechnica BP4025 + Tascam FRAV2

Bittern calling 5 m away from the microphone

Irish field recordist, now residing in Sweden. I have a deep interest and background in birding, which is reflected in my sound recordings. Follow my podcast, Wild Bird Acoustics, on all podcast providers!

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

Bittern calling 5 m away from the microphone

Bo Söderström