Quite a common species of a huge variety of different habitats from urban to moorland and everything in between but still, this was the first time I've recorded one singing. Shame it wasn't spring as it only let out one brief burst of song before returning to its perch. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Schoeps Mk 4 Inside Dish + Stereo Mk 2's

Gavin Vella

Pied Wagtail Flight Song And Calls- MixPre - 7198

Nice to finally be presented with spring again, even if I have taken a beating over the winter period. Health isn't the best but I'm determined to work around it as best as I can so I can continue todo what I love. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii + Schoeps Mk 2 Inside Telinga Dish + Stereo MK 2's 

Great Spotted Woodpecker - MixPre-7327

Nice to be back at it and what better way to spend the day at my nearest lake enjoying this annual sceptical of mating Toads with a Chiffchaff in full spring song. 

One thing worth noting in this recording, is that I didn't have anything particularly 'in focus' during this recording, as all subjects were out of site or far off in the distance, which I think goes to show just how transparent the Schoes microphones are off-axis, especially considering there was an omni directional mk 2 inside the dish too. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii + Telinga Dish W. Schoeps Mk 2 + Stereo Mk 2's

Toads and Chiffchaff - MixPre-7314

I don't take moments like this for granted these days, knowing how fast this species has declined in the Uk, this might even be the last time I see a pair holding a territory like this, which makes it even more of a magical recording for me. It's a simple song, but they are capable of a complex variety of different calls and song types, some of which you hear as the pair interact with each other before the male put on a good show for her. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Schoeps Mk 4 inside Telinga Dish + Stereo MK 2's 

Willow Tit Pair Song - MixPre-7339

I never turn my dish away from these guys, they are so loud and that buttery smooth warble is just epic. I just wish they'd stay still!!

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Schoeps Mk 2 inside Telinga Dish + Stereo MK 2's

Nuthatch Song - MixPre-7335

Nice to get a different song type here that I've not actually heard before. Slightly lower pitch but but the first note in the phrase is lower pitch again. Over-all a slower tempo also, focusing on a smoother bend rather than pumping out high pitch phrases. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Schoeps Mk 2 inside Telinga Dish + Stereo Mk 2's 

Willow Tit Song Type 2 - MixPre-7374

Redpoll not doing so great in my area and overall in Wales I believe there are downwards trends so was happy to stumble across a small flock of around 10-15 that were drinking from an upland stream, along with larger flock of Siskin and Goldfinch, so it was quite noisy at the well. 

Redpoll Buzz Calls - MixPre-7484

Always nice to confirm a breeding pair as you're never too certain till you find a nest but these guys are hanging on in the same spot over the span of a few weeks now so pretty certain they're settled in. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii - Telinga Dish With Schoeps Mk 2 inside + Schoeps Stereo Mk 2's outside 

Willow Tit Pair - MixPre-7512

I've used multiple microphones on these guys over the years and schoeps just seems todo it for me with Nuthatch. This is with the Mk 2 which still gives plenty of detail but with way more warmth than the Mk 4's. Which is better? subjective but I feel depending on the distance of the bird, both seem to come with their pro's and con's. There have been times where the Mk 4 has recording too much high frequency when close up, but you get the opposite effect with the Mk 2 when subjects are further away and you get a much softer high frequency. Right tools for the Job I guess, I'm glad I've got both at my disposal. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii - Telinga Dish W/Schoeps Mk 2's inside and stereo Mk 2's outside 

Nuthatch - MixPre-7516

I can't think of a better two notes to sing.. each note is so rich with a chunky body to it but lots of intricate high frequency detail ontop, it's one of my favourite little songs of spring. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii - Telinga Dish W/Schoeps Mk 2's + Stereo Mk 2's 

Great Tit Song - MixPre-7524

Smallest bird in Britain and a dainty song but the forest is absolutely teaming with them. They're very successful species in Britain, pretty much anywhere there are trees, tall hedgerows or ivy. 

#Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Telinga Dish W/Schoeps Mk 4 + Stereo MK 2's 

Goldcrest Song - MixPre-7501

Their song is very similar to their Sparrowhawk alarm call, in fact whenever Blue Tits sing, every other species is on edge lol. Sadly yet another common bird that's in decline so I always take the opportunity when I get one to record this species every year. Never take anything for granted. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Telinga Dish W/Schoeps Mk 2 + Stereo Mk 2's 

Blue Tit - MixPre7556

I'll always have a soft spot for Blackcap as they're fantastic mimickers and it really gives away whether you have a local bird or not. For example, I have a Blackcap on my local river that's very close to a Dipper nest and as a result, he mimics Dipper all day long, song and calls. This guy was in the middle of a forestry and it did have elements of Siskin,Chiffchaff and Crossbill in its song, so it's likely going to be a local. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Telinga Dish w/Schoeps CCM 4 + Stereo Mk 2's 

Blackcap - MixPre-7577

Nice to the these back in local clearfells, a sure sign that my Nightjar will soon be here too. Everything is early this year as we're having crazy heat for the time of year. -1c at night and 20c in the day time! that and we haven't had rain for almost 2 months...Not the April showers we are used to in the Uk at all. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Telinga Dish W/Mk 4 +Stereo Mk 2's

Tree Pipit Song and Calls - MixPre-7641

When these guys arrive, I'm pretty sure they don't actually stop singing.... it's just non-stop till the females arrive and even then throughout the summer they just keep going and going. Got to give it to them, they're pretty hardy birds. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Telinga dish w/Schoeps Mk 4 + Stereo Mk 2's

Willow Warbler - MixPre-7609

First time recording this species staying still for a change! they usually see me coming and dart off back down stream but this guy was too occupied in luring in a female. 

Gear: Sound Devices Mixpre 6 ii / Telinga Dish w/Schoeps Mk 4 + Stereo Mk 2's 

Grey Wagtail Stream S - MixPre-7653

This was an opportune moment rather than setting out for this species but given the circumstances I think it worked out quite well. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii / Telinga Dish w/Schoeps CCM 4 + Stereo Mk 2's 

Forest Cuckoo - MixPre-7702

Been a while since I've done any sound recording, mostly due to work but also due to health. Ear trouble to top the list of health issues which really set me back and despite it being permanent, I am finding I'm getting used to the changes so it's really nice being back at it again. 

I came to this location as previous visits saw quite a lot of curlew action but sadly I only really managed one close curlew at the start of the recording. I also left all the air and boat traffic in, it was too much for me to try and edit it all out. The best part of this recording for me is those mudflat bubbles just sizzling away non-stop, everything else is just a bonus. 

Gear: Sound Devices MixPre 6 ii + Telinga Dish w/Schoeps mK 4 and Stereo Mk 2's 

Goldcliff - MixPre-7747_

It's not very often my garden is as peaceful as this but it was pitch black and quite late at night, not a breath of wind, just the droplets falling off a few oak trees from the very light rain in the air. I get tawny owls all year around and they always bring the chicks to the garden to practise hunting but only 1 survived this year so just had him/her yapping away all night like this during the spring. 

New tracks tagged #Telinga