Nature Sound Recording – Ecoescapades

Disappearing Sounds: Celebrating Endangered Species Day with the Calls of the Tree Hyrax

May 17, 2024Posted in Conservation, Field Recording, Nature Sound RecordingTagged Field Recording, Hyrax, kenya, Mt. Kenya, Nature sounds, tree hyraxLeave a comment

Happy to celebrate this year’s Endangered Species Day by sharing the exciting and timely win of my Sound of the Year Awards Highly Commended submission in the Disappearing Sound-Sound worth saving Category (Tree Hyrax Call in Mt. Kenya).

The Eastern Tree Hyraxes are medium-sized solitary mammals living in the canopies of tropical forests. They communicate with each other via loud, repetitive vocal calls. They are shy and only move at night, to forage for food or look for mates. In 2015, the IUCN designated the Eastern Tree Hyrax as Near Threatened. Their sounds are some of the loudest and creepiest of all, especially when they echo through the night. They’re so spooky that upon arrival at some of the hotels in Mt. Kenya, guests are notified of strange noises and calls that may be heard at night. They are assured that the hotel they have checked into is not haunted. Guests exchange bewildered looks, shrug, and immediately forget the warning as soon as they settle into their rooms.

Then it begins. The deafening loud shrieks of the Tree hyraxes invade the night. As the night unfolds, so do the calls, echoing throughout the forest. They eventually quiet down, and then rise once more in the wee hours of the morning. These are my favorite times of the day. While the world slumbers, I listen to the haunting shrieks of the Tree Hyrax, a unique and captivating melody that unfolds in the stillness of the night!

Due to the recent forest fires and logging that have ravaged Mt. Kenya Forest, the loud, haunting calls of the Tree Hyraxes in our forests may become a sound of the past. The Sound of the year Awards celebrates sound in all its forms and from all corners of the world. In the Disappearing Sounds category, participants submitted sounds that are worth saving. But how do you save a sound? By saving wildlife and their habitats! Enjoy the sound of the Tree Hyrax, a sound worth saving in Mt Kenya. Happy Endangered Species Day.

Listen to the sounds of the Tree Hyrax!

International Dawn Chorus Day; Sounds of Kirandich Dam

May 5, 2024Posted in Bioacoustics, Biodiversity, Conservation, Field Recording, Nature Sound RecordingTagged dawn chorus, International dawn chorus day, kabarnet, kenya, kirandich dam, nature soundscapesLeave a comment

I’m joining this year’s International Dawn Chorus Day celebrations by sharing the beautiful dawn chorus from the Kirandich dam. Kirandich dam is a man-made dam that was constructed to supply clean, drinking water to the people of Kabarnet in Baringo County. International Dawn Chorus Day is the worldwide celebration of nature’s greatest symphony that takes place every first Sunday of May. People across the world rise early to listen, record and share the sounds of birdsong in their backyards.

Nestled in scenic hills, rivers, riverine forests, and dense woodlands, Kirandich dam serves as a hot spot for diverse flora and fauna. At dawn, the serene atmosphere is disrupted by the vibrant calls of Hadada Ibises, signaling the start of a new day. They are joined by more bird species singing including White-browed Robin Chats, Common Bulbuls, Tinkerbirds, and Tropical Boubous, filling the air with fascinating avian tunes. The loud call of the African Fish Eagle further confirms the dam’s thriving aquatic ecosystem, teeming with life. Happy International Dawn Chorus Day!

Sounds of Kirandich Dam

International Hyena Day- A Haunting Hyena Feast

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024Posted in Bioacoustics, Biodiversity, Field Recording, Nature Sound Recording, Photography, TourismTagged africa, animals, Bioacoustics, hyena, kenya, maasai-mara, nature-sounds, safari, WildlifeLeave a comment

The world recently marked International Hyena Day, which is celebrated every year on April 27^th.The day is dedicated to highlighting the important role they play in the ecosystem. During a recent visit in Maasai Mara, nature took its course when a giraffe died of old age. This was confirmed by knowledgeable wildlife vets and local wardens. According to them, there were no signs of attacks by humans or other predators, or of disease. From the way the body lay, it seemed to have fallen, but wasn’t able to stand due to being weak after hitting its head on the ground. Additionally, the giraffe had teeth missing, probably due to old age.

Having watched and heard scavengers on a kill, I wanted to have a recording of the same. Because these species are mainly active at night, I placed my recorder in a tree next to the carcass in order to capture the sounds of the feeding frenzy that would follow. As expected, the carcass soon attracted scavengers as the day progressed; jackals and hyenas showed up to survey the scene. They would try to bite off some meat, before running away.

Soon, the otherwise silent night was filled with the spooky symphony of hyenas laughing and shrieking, while the jackals barked and growled at each other as they all tried to have a piece of the carcass. As it was a huge giraffe, this nocturnal feast went on for the rest of the week.

On the fourth day, the carcass was almost stripped to the bone, proving how quickly the hyenas and jackals can finish a carcass. This event was an emotional reminder that in the midst of nature’s beauty and tranquility, there also exists an undeniable air of sadness and unpredictability. Scavengers’ role in consuming the remains of dead animals is vital for maintaining ecological balance, preventing the spread of disease, and ensuring the continuity of the circle of life!

Listen to the haunting sounds of hyenas feasting

International Bat Appreciation Day: Hammer headed Fruit Bats Chorus

April 17, 2024April 24, 2024Posted in Bioacoustics, Biodiversity, Field Recording, Nature Sound RecordingTagged Bats, Biodiversity, Conservation, Field Recording, Hammer headed fruit bat2 Comments

Every year on April 17, the world celebrates International Bat Appreciation Day to remind us of the important role that bats play in our daily lives. They help pollinate flowers and fruits, control agricultural pests and create rich fertilizer for communities.

I recently had one of the most interesting bat encounters during a recent field recording expedition to Mpanga Forest Reserve in Uganda. On a quest to record some of Africa’s quiet places, I was treated to one of the most weird and beautiful animal sounds I’ve ever heard, the Hammer headed fruit bat’s honk! It’s a sound I would not have associated with bats.

I learnt that the males of this bat species use the honk to compete against each other and attract females. The bat with the loudest honk wins a mate!

Enjoy this bat’s honk🦇🦇

Listen to the full recording at Earth.Fm

https://earth.fm/recordings/nocturnal-chorus-at-mpanga-central-forest-reserve

World Frog Day: Amphibian Chorus in Maasai Mara

March 20, 2024Posted in Bioacoustics, Field Recording, Nature Sound RecordingTagged amphibian, amphibian-chorus, amphibians, Field Recording, frog, frogs, maasai-mara, nashulai-maasai-conservancy, Nature, nature-soundscapes4 Comments

Happy World Frog Day! Today marks the annual celebration on March 20th dedicated to raising awareness about the significance of amphibians, especially frogs, and their ecosystems. Frogs are crucial in maintaining ecological balance by controlling insect populations and acting as environmental health indicators, particularly in wetlands. However, they face various threats like habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and disease.

Groove Crowned Bullfrog, Sawaiti Swamp — *Groove Crowned Bullfrog photographed in Sawaiti Swamp, Mogotio*

Recording frog sounds is vital for conservation efforts, helping scientists in population monitoring, behavioral studies, and habitat health assessments. Conservation biologists worldwide are diligently researching these species, seeking solutions to these challenges. Understanding their behaviors, including vocalizations, provides crucial data for conservation strategies, ensuring the preservation of these species and their habitats for generations to come. I extend my gratitude to Dr. Patrick Malonza and other herpetologists for their contributions to amphibian research, especially frogs. Enjoy one of many amphibian choruses recorded during a visit to Nashulai Maasai Mara Conservancy, recently published by Earth.fm! Have a listen!

Crowned Bullfrog’s advertisement call, a slightly rising low gnarl, emerging above the Puddle frogs’ dominant call

Long form recording at https://earth.fm/recordings/amphibian-chorus-2/

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