Birds, Mammals and Wildlife Gardening – Wildlife sound recordings

The sounds of wildlife enrich our lives, whether it's birdsong in a garden, the raucousness of a seabird colony or the eerie call of a hunting owl. Yet we rarely think to record such material, although it can be an exciting and rewarding experience.

You need:

• A microphone with a good wind baffle or all you’ll get is the sound of a gale when you use it outdoors – it also must have a robust design, with a bass cut switch to reduce wind and traffic noise. Microphones are often hand-held but a lightweight tripod or clamp may be better as it allows you to have both hands free to operate the recorder.
• As far as recording equipment is concerned, you have a range of choices. Audiocassette recorders take down good quality sound. Video cameras these can also record sound only, you needn’t necessarily record any image as well although that can be a real bonus.
• A pair of headphones is essential, to allow you to hear exactly what you’re recording.

Very good recordings can be made with modest equipment as long as you practice with it to be confident about operating it in the open air. Plan your first session by listening out for a singing bird - blackbirds are the easiest to start with – and will often return to a regular position, called a song-post. Patient observation of your subject is essential to get the best results. Hide yourself by avoiding noisy fabrics and by wearing dull colours.

Birds, mammals and wildlife gardening microphone photograph by laffyf4, used under a creative commons attribution licence

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