Sound recordings selected for Off the Map Gothic 2014, a UK higher education videogame competition organised by the British Library and GameCity.

The winning entry for Off the Map Gothic 2014 was Nix by Gothulus Rift (University of South Wales): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ESieZO4VHw 

Off The Map challenges budding designers to use collections from the British Library as inspiration to create exciting interactive digital media.

Off the Map Gothic

A group of five Carrion Crows in the trees, before roosting, during a blustery force 6 wind. Recorded in winter at Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire by Richard Margoschis.

British Library reference: 1CD0091587 D2 BD9

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/forest-sky-winter-landscape-r%C3%BCgen-584354/

Woodland In Winter

Scottish woodland at dawn recorded by Richard Margoschis. A chorus of several Chaffinches and Wrens singing, a Blackbird and Rooks, Woodpigeons singing, loud Crows and wing whirring from a Pheasant, a distant cockerel and Jackdaws.

British Library reference: 1CD0091587 D1 BD8

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/bluebell-wood-flowers-springtime-905626/

Woodland In Late Spring

Thunder recorded in the Tanat Valley, Wales on 6th July 1989 by Eric and May Nobles.

British Library reference: 022A-WTHUNDERXXXX-0301M0.WAV


Thunder, Tanat Valley, Wales, July 1989

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) hoots recorded in Gloucestershire, October 1979 by Richard Margoschis.

Tawny Owl hoots, Gloucestershire, October 1979

Light rainfall recorded in Amacayacu National Park, Colombia on 1st September 1988 by Richard Ranft.

British Library reference: W1CDR0000524 BD5

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/water-priroda-drops-rain-815271/


Light Rainfall, Colombia, September 1988

Morning in an old forest in Gloucestershire at springtime recorded by Richard Margoschis. The shrill notes of a Wren and nasal calls of a Nuthatch, gentle cooings of Woodpigeons, Robin song, a Pheasant crowing and bees humming. Rooks cawing, scolding notes of a Jay, a Blue Tit calling and singing, drumming from a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Also the songs and calls of a Blackbird, Cuckoo, Willow Warbler and Coal Tit.

British Library Reference: 1CD0091587 D1 BD3

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/tree-support-tree-moss-forest-log-505041/

Old Forest In Spring

A cold and overcast Autumn afternoon on a Welsh heather moorland. A strong wind blows over the crags. Distant sheep, mewings from a Buzzard overhead and the calls of a Meadow Pipit and Raven can be heard. Recorded by Richard Margoschis.

British Library Reference: 1CD0091587 CD2 BD7

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/tree-heather-moorland-purple-blue-943247/

Mountain Moorland

Red Fox screams, recorded in a wooded valley in Gloucestershire on 17th January 1976 by Richard Margoschis.

British Library Reference: W VULPES VULPES R4 C1

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/fox-red-red-fox-animal-wild-317025/

Red Fox Screams, Gloucestershire, 1976

Very calm sea of small waves lapping onto flat, sandy beach at entrance to harbour. Waves are only about 1 inch high. Recorded on the Norfolk coast, 15th February 1993, by Richard Margoschis. 

British Library Reference: W SFX WAVES R7 C1

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/wave-clear-water-beach-sand-570772/


Calm Sea on Sand, Norfolk, 1993

Recording on a heathland with trees and bracken on a foggy, dark and very calm autumn evening. Fallow Deer are rutting: the pig-like grunts are from the bucks, the quiet bleats are the does. In the far distance, a Tawny Owl hoots.

British Library Reference: 1CD0091587 CD2 BD6

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/fallow-deer-herd-park-females-597550/


Ancient Chase

Screams from adult Barn Owl perched on tree branch near nest cavity. Recorded in Cardiganshire, Wales on 2nd August 1988 by Victor C. Lewis.

British Library Reference: W TYTO ALBA R1 C16

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/barn-owl-owl-bird-animal-wildlife-275942/ 

Barn Owl Screams, Wales, 1988

Rough sea with heavy surf on large sandy beach after storm, large breakers, close perspective. Recorded at Whitesand Bay, Cornwall on 28th February 1996 by Paul Duck.

British Library Reference: W1CDR0000199 BD4

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/clovelly-sydney-australia-ocean-286568/


Waves after the Storm, Cornwall, 1996

Heavy rain, sounds like white noise, at the peak of a storm. Recorded in Amacayacu National Park, Colombia on 1st September 1988 by Richard Ranft.

British Library Reference: W1CDR0000524 BD4

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/raining-rain-creek-water-trees-828890/

Heavy Rainfall, Colombia, 1988

Above the pounding of waves at the foot of the cliffs, a cacophony of the seabirds colony: Guillemots, Kittiwake, Fulmars, Gannets and gulls. Light rain starts to fall. Recorded at Bempton Cliffs, North Yorkshire by Richard Margoschis.

British Library Reference:  1CD0091587 CD1 BD5

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/en/cliffs-rock-water-nature-coast-404051/

Sea Cliffs

Harbour with Black-headed Gulls, recorded at Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk on 16th March 1991 by Richard Margoschis

British Library reference: W LARUS RIDIBUNDUS R2 C10

Image reference: https://pixabay.com/en/boats-marina-marine-row-boat-water-271347/

Harbour Atmosphere, Norfolk, March 1991

Creaky gate, recorded in Wicken Wood, Northamptonshire on 15th August 1973 by William Pedley.

British Library reference: 022A-WFXMISCELLAN-0103M0.WAV

Image reference: https://pixabay.com/en/close-gate-wooden-old-countryside-1575583/

Creaky Gate, Northamptonshire, August 1973

Waves recorded from a clifftop in Sutherland, Scotland on 21st May 1993 by Richard Margoschis. 

British Library reference: 022A-WWAVESXXXXXX-0803M0.WAV

Image reference: https://pixabay.com/en/waves-water-shore-cliff-rocks-1209370/

Clifftop waves, Scotland, May 1993

Lapping waves recorded at Kynance Cove, Cornwall on 1st March 1996 by Paul Duck.

British Library reference: 022A-WWAVESXXXXXX-0803M0.WAV

Image reference: https://pixabay.com/en/rocks-coastline-cornwall-sea-wave-1317719/

Cornish cove, Kynance Cove, Cornwall, March 1996

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