Mistle Thrush

In the wolf forest close to Uppsala I placed a drop rig continuously recording for 48 hours and mixed it down to nine minutes. In the order they appear:
willow tit
crested tit
capercaillie, male flew past very close
pygmy owl
common scooter, two flocks migrating south
rain shower
WOLVES
pygmy owl
ural owl, female barking
jay
crested tit
raven landed close and walked around at the same time as WOLVES had a concert in the distance
crested tit
willow tit
Siggefora, Uppland. September 1 to 3, 2022.

Wolf forest from dusk to dawn

The decline of the Ortolan Bunting during the last 30 years is depressing. Now only a handful of ortolans remain in all of southern Sweden. In the north they still have relatively good breeding numbers but then on new clear-cuts and not in the agricultural landscape. This droprig recording was done this morning in one of the last strongholds in Uppland where the same male has returned for its sixth year. Ulva, Upppland. May 13, 2023.

Zoom F3 and 2 x Clippy EM272 as tree-ears

The last of the Ortolan Buntings

The third year in a row a pair of Blyth's Reed Warblers will nest at Salsta Castle, just north of Uppsala. Always a pleasure to record with all its imitations. At least 15 species are discernible in this recording: Chaffinch, House Martin, White Wagtail, Linnet, Common Swift, Goldfinch, Bluethroat, Blackbird, Yellow Wagtail, Blue Tit, Redstart, Fieldfare, Barn Swallow, Wheatear and Redwing. Salsta, May 29, 2023.

Blyth's Reed Warbler - the master mimic!

Last Friday we were out in our local wolf territory (1-hour drive from Uppsala) and at midnight a lone wolf howled at the moon. Always an amazing experience. Siggefora, Uppland. September 8, 2023.

Howling wolf at midnight

Humans smell a lot and this pack of wolves stopped in their tracks to inspect the droprig recorder I put high up in a spruce. Siggefora, Uppland. September 8, 2023.

Panting wolves inspect the droprig

Lousy recording of a calling male lynx. Uppland. February 12, 2023.

Lynx

From dusk to dawn with two pairs of cranes and one or two single male contenders. In this recording you will hear almost infrasound (80-200 Hz) growls and heavy panting as the males chase each other in the wetland and of course the trumpeting of cranes through the night. An amazing experience to be this close. Huddunge, Uppsala. April 9, 2024.

Mixpre 3ii + Lewitt 440 Pure in ortf

Cranes like you never heard them before!

One of the best recordings I have made of Lynx. In this recording you can first hear the Lynx calling in the distance, then after a while closer.
Uppsala, May 4, 2024.

Lewitt 440 Pure + Mixpre 3ii

A male Lynx calling for mates

Four years in a row I have been trying to record wolves. I have been lucky most years but since they have changed rendez-vouz area it took longer than usual this year. Now I have pinpointed where they are and maybe I will get better recording in the coming weeks. This is a perfect time of the year to listen for wolves.

Siggefora. September 5, 2024.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 as tree-ears

Wolves with pups

A song battle between a nightjar and a song thrush. When the nightjar didn't call it a day, the song thrush became immediately quiet. Eventually, the nightjar went to bed as the sun rose. A short special performance of a woodcock as well.

Svinasjön, Uppland. July 10, 2024.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 as tree-ears

When Night Meets Day

Now is the time to listen for drumming woodpeckers. In this recording I have mixed all woodpecker species that drum regularly in Sweden. Three drums each and in the following order: great spotted, lesser spotted, white-backed, three-toed, grey-headed and black. Green woodpecker almost never drums.

Recorded in Uppland 2022-2025.

Drumming of all Swedish woodpeckers

Fifth year in a row on different Capercaillie leks. This year started out slowly at 04.10 AM and about 5 males were displaying without much enthusiam until 07.30 when four females arrived. All of a sudden I had 15 males in front of the hide! Where did they come from. Wonderful recordings of the (almost) infrasound (32 Hz) when the males go "blind". If you listen carefully you will also hear mating of Pygmy Owl and hear when the Capercaillie males go quiet when a Goshawk calls in the distance.

Uppland. April 17, 2025.
Zoom F3 + AudioTechnica BP4025

Capercaillie lek with infrasound

One after another of the tropical migrants arrive to Uppland. This Whinchat was actively singing on a clearcut and in the background you can hear a pair of Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Black Grouse, Wood Lark and others.

Uppland. May 3, 2025.
Mixpre 3ii + Wildtronics stereoparabolic dish

Whinchat singing from a clearcut

In 2025 I have visited four breeding sites where males were calling early in the year but there had been no signs of breeding later in the Spring. This was until yesterday when I stumbled upon a breeding pair. In this recording you can first hear begging calls of the female and later on what I gather is the female song (more the tone of a Wood Pigeon than in the male). 

Uppland. May 4, 2025.
Mixpre 3ii + Wildtronics stereoparabolic dish

Lapland Owl breeding in Uppland also this year!

This howl took me by surprise. The wolf call I have heard before is when the parents call to their young in August to September. Often the young wolves join the choir in September. This is obviously quite another call. Discussed it with several colleagues knowledgeable about wolves and we came to the conclusion that this is most likely an 'alpha male' doing this to let other packs or wolves in local territory to stay away. This is the time they are having their pups and if they have young nearby the parents are likely on high alert!

Uppland. May 5, 2025.
Tascam FR-AV2 + MikroUsi as tree ears

Wolf howling at dusk

Bo Söderström has managed to sit in the right place during this year's capercaillie season. When the hens landed in the morning, as many as 15 roosters appeared. His microphone also recorded the strange bass sound of the capercaillie, which can be important when the hens choose which rooster to mate with.

The nature podcast: Bo Söderström and the bass sound of the capercaillie

Martens have increased in numbers the last 5 years and several times I have seen a marten robbing young from thrush nests in the vicinity. Although you cannot hear the marten it is clear from the *very* annoyed Mistle Thrushes and Blackbirds that this marten had been successful.

Siggefora, Uppland. June 8, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 as tree ears

Marten hunting for thrushes

Curlew has almost vanished as a breeding bird in Uppland but still a few pair linger on in boreal forest mires. I have for a long time wanted to record this disappearing song. This morning I was lucky!

Svinasjön, Uppland. June 8, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM 272 as tree ears

The most beautiful song of all - Curlew over the mire

I have not heard that many recordings of begging Great Grey Owl chicks. This recording is from 1.54 AM when the male comes with a rodent to the two (at least) young roughly 2 weeks old. You can also hear the lower frequency begging call of the female. The young beg with "calls without vowels".

Uppland. June 8, 2025.
Mixpre 3ii + Wildtronics Stereo Parabole

Great Grey Owl begging calls from young

Midsummer is the biggest holiday in Sweden. I put out a droprig on the boat dock from midnight till early morning. Birds have become very quiet this time of year but the Blackbirds are well into their second clutch of the season and continue to sing. A heronry nearby means that Grey Herons pass by now and then. Other birds that can be heard are Common Gulls, Icterine Warbler and more.

Halvan, Runmarö. June 21, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 spaced 1 m apart

Swedish Midsummer

This year we have probably more successful breeding attempts of Great Grey Owl than Ural Owls in Uppland but this morning I stumbled upon one successful nest of Ural Owl. The recording starts of with the typical owl warning call of a Common Blackbird that has discovered the fledged owlets. After about 19 minutes you will hear the female uttering one single warning call and shortly thereafter she delivers food to the young. Otherwise you will hear a closeup roding Woodcock.

Siggefora, Uppland. June 27, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272

Owlets of Ural Owl

A favourite sound in the coniferous forest clearings during summer - the Nightjar. It has become more common during the last 20 years and you can now its song from mid-May to end of July.

Svinasjön, Uppland. July 10, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 as tree ears

Nightjar singing and flapping

Now is that time of year when tits start to gather in small feeding flocks with mixed species. In this flock Long-tailed Tits are quite vocal but you can also hear Willow Tit, Crested Tit, Great Tit and Blue Tit. 

Kallsjön, Uppland. August 1, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM 272 spread 1 m apart

Late summer tit party!

A family of Wild Boar took a short swim in a forest pond before running past my drop rig. Several high-pitched squels from the you as they pass by.

Kallön, Uppland. August 1, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 spread 1 m apart

Night swimming Wild Boar

Jays have a rich repertoire of calls and can mimic other bird species and mammals. But this is the typical call you hear year-round in mixed deciduous-coniferous forests.

Kallön, Uppland. August 1, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM 272 spaced 1 m apart

Typical call of Jay

I had a lovely time in the Siggefora wolf territory. My droprigs did not catch any wolves unfortunately but two singing males Great Grey Owls, two Ural Owls and two Pygmy Owls in addition to Red Deer and Fallow Deer. But the best recording was that of a singing Hazel Grouse. During the autumn they sing quite actively pairing up for next Spring.

Siggefora, Uppland. August 28, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 as tree ears

Hazel grouse is actively singing during the autumn

A drop rig recording from my favorite forest pond in Nåsten. The call of the (young?) Black Woodpecker was somewhat reminiscent of a handbrake on a wet rim. In the end of the recording the song (?) of a Long-tailed Tit can be heard as well.

Högbyhatt, Uppsala. September 1, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 separated 1 m apart

A squeaky handbrake? No, a Black Woodpecker drinking

The small forest pond had almost dried up after a long summer without much rain. Perfect conditions for egg-laying Blue Hawkers patrolling the pond edges. In this recording you will also hear a family of Long-tailed Tits visiting the pond for a drink. In the end a Sparrowhawk flies by and all tits flee (Crested Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit).

Högbyhatt, Uppsala. September 1, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 spread 1 m apart

Blue Hawkers and Long-tailed Tits

In this episode, I converse with an exceptionally talented and dedicated field recorder, Mr. Bo Söderström. As a field recorder, Bo spends a considerable amount of time in the wonderful wild habitats around Uppsala, Sweden. Here, in mature forest, expansive wetlands and various other locations, he has honed his craft to secure intimate recordings of the birdlife in these very special locations. Here in this this interview, Bo selflessly talks in depth about his own processes and shares some wonderful intimate recordings of the very highest quality. A true journey into sound and a wonderful glimpse into the quiet places he chooses to spend his time within. His immersive recordings will take you into the wilds of Sweden and lift the veil on some of the wonderful birdlife found here..

Subscibe to Wild Bird Acoustics here;
https://wildbirdacoustics.buzzsprout.com

Alan Dalton: 
A journey into the wonderful world of field recording birds in their natural environment. Join me at Wild bird Acoustic's to experience incredible soundscapes of wild birds, here in Sweden and further abroad. The podcast will feature sound magazines, trips to wild places and interviews with sound recorders from all around Europe and beyond. Carefully selected audio from the field will inform and educate birders who wish to learn more about bird vocalizations. Going forward, I hope to draw together a community of field recorders, birders and outdoor enthusiasts, to share the sounds of wild birds and places from all over the world....

I hope it will appeal to those who seek a relaxing audio experience, contribute to mental well being and provide an outlet for listener's who seek to escape the stress that modern life can generate.

An Interview with Bo Söderström

When the Virginia Creeper flowers in early September all honey bees in the neighborhood come visit our garden.

September 5, 2025. Håga by, Uppland
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272

Virginia Creeper Honey Bees

This year's best of is divided in two parts: forest and lake/wetland! In this recording you will hear in turn:

MARCH
Tawny Owl
Raven
APRIL
Common Crane
Capercaillie lek + female
MAY
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Bumblebee
Willow Warbler
Dunnock
Mistle Thrush
Whinchat
JUNE
Nightjar
JULY
Red-backed Shrike

All recordings from the county of Uppland with varying recording techniques.

Best of 2025 forest

This year's best of is divided in two parts: forest and lake/wetland! In this recording you will hear in turn:

APRIL
Slavonian Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Lapwing
MAY
Sedge Warbler
Whooper Swan
Penduline Tit
JUNE
Bittern
Great Reed Warbler
Curlew
Fire-bellied Toad
JULY
Starlings murmuration

All recordings except the Fire-bellied Toads from the county of Uppland with varying recording techniques.

Best of 2025 wetland and lake

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

Popular tracks by Bo Söderström