- Kuopion Luonnon Ystäväin Yhdistys ry. (KLYY): A grant to pay for the release of this work.
- Finnish birdwatchers: For their help with the identification of these rare bird species.
- Guides and helpers: For their assistance in making possible these recordings in the difficult-to-reach locations. I thank them also for the help with editing and mastering of these recordings
- All my close friends, sisters and brothers and my wife, Maarit: I express my gratitude for their support and encouragement throughout this long-lasting project.

Kuopio 2.8.2021
Lauri Hallikainen
Producer and sound recorder

CD1

01. COMMON EIDER DUCK 26.4.2006, 4.30 am, Rumar, Korppoo (0'44").
The courtship ritual of the eider ducks in the Archipelago Sea in April. Great crested grebe.

02. SPOTTED CRAKE AND EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE 31.5.2016, 2.50 am, Riistavesi, Kuopio (1'29").
Summertime in a grove of birch trees close by a coastal wetland. Tree pipit, common magpie, common wood pigeon.

03. OTTER 1. 3.11.2013, 1.30 am, Hirvilahti, Kuopio (1'28").
The shrill, sharp calls of otters in the coastal waters of the lake in the autumn.

04. NORTHERN PINTAIL 29.5.2010, 2.49 am, Siilinjärvi (1'06").
The mating calls of the northern pintail in the shallow waters of a silty lake. Mew gull, black-headed gull, black grouse, willow warbler.

05. DUNLIN 4.5.2015, 0.20 am, Haeska, Western Estonia (0'40").
The shrill, sharp mating call of the dunlin resounds over a wetland meadow in the vicinity of the Baltic coastline. Mute swan, northern lapwing

06. GREAT EGRET, 4.5.2015, 9.04 pm, Kadarpiku, Western Estonia (1'26").
The calls of great egrets in a nesting colony where the grey herons also have their nests. Grey heron, hooded crow, song thrush

07. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT 10.5.2014, 12.00 noon, Puise, Western Estonia (0'49").
The characteristic “vettou-vettou” mating call of the black-tailed godwit resounds over a coastal meadow. Willow warbler, Barnacle goose.

08. WHOOPER SWAN. 15.5.2021, 4.00 am, Hirvilahti, Kuopio (1'30").
A rare recording of this sound mode of the whooper swan. In the recording, the bird is warning of the approach of a predator mammal. The hoarse sound of the predator can be heard at the 54 second mark. Common frog.

09. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES. 19.10.2010, 9.30 pm, Hirvilahti, Kuopio (1'02").
This unusual sound has most probably been made by a young whooper swan.

10. GREEN SANDPIPER. 29.5.2013, 10.20 pm, Riistavesi, Kuopio (1'10").
The mating call of the green sandpiper resounds over the beach around the lake in the forest. Common cuckoo.

11. SAVI’S WARBLER. 10.5.2008, 3.30 am, Kemer, Lake Kaniers, Latvia (0'46").
Heard on a May night in a lake favoured by birds. Great bittern, great crested grebe.

12. LITTLE GREBE. 12.9.2017, 9.05 pm, Hirvilahti, Kuopio (1'23").
The little grebes are diving into the shoreline water of a lake where tall lakeside plants have covered the beach.

13. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES. 16.6.2011, 1.35 am, Riistavesi, Kuopio (1'07").
The sounds are possibly emerging from the nesting sites of mew gulls. Black-headed gull, great tit, Eurasian curlew, common blackbird.

14. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 3.11.2013, 1.30 am, Hirvilahti, Kuopio (1'09").
Possibly the hunting sounds of an otter or a wild mink in the shallow waters of the lakeshore.

15. GARAGNEY 21.5.2012, 9.20 pm, Riistavesi, Kuopio (0'48").
The mating call of the female garagney. In the background, you can hear the responding mating calls of the male. Great bittern, black grouse, moor frog, Eurasian curlew, common snipe.

16. LITTLE TERN 2.7.2001, 0.30 am, Letonnokka, Kalajoki (0'49").
The sounds that emerge from a nesting colony of little terns in the sandy shore next to the sea. Arctic tern, Black-headed gull.

17. NORTHERN SHOVELER 29.4.2008, 10.00 pm, Rastunsuo, Rautalampi (1'19").
The mating calls of northern shovelers recorded close to a lake that is home to many birds. Northern lapwing, moor frog, common snipe, Eurasian curlew.

18. HERRING GULL AND COMMON CRANE 31.4.2009, 5.30 am, River Arvosjoki, Pelkosenniemi (0'36").
The characteristic call of the herring gull resounds over the shallow water melted by the warmth of the spring. You can also hear the mating songs of the common cranes. Common goldeneye, white wagtail, whooper swan, Eurasian curlew.

19. GREAT BITTERN AND SEDGE WARBLER 9.6.2009, 11.00 pm, Kaislastenlahti, Kuopio (0'38").
This track contains the rarely heard courtship calls of the great bittern. Song Thrush

20. GREYLAG GOOSE 1.7.2006, 3.00 am, Pykeija, Varang Fjord, Northern Norway, (0'37").
The sound of a single greylag goose is captured here close to the shoreline. Willow warbler, common redpoll.

21. BARBED WARBLER 25.5.2018, 4.10 am, Vänö, Kemiö (0'34").
The song of the barbed warbler as it swoops over the Archipelago Sea. On this track you can hear the swish of the bird’s wings during the mating season. Black grouse, Common chaffinch.

22. MUSKRAT. 26.4.2014 0.15 am, Hirvilahti, Kuopio (0'55").
The sounds of a muskrat as it moves in the rushes by the lakeshore.

23. NORTHERN SHOVELER 24.5.2007 3.00 am, Sarvilampi, Savukoski (1'07").
The sounds of the mating call and the wingbeats of a northern shoveler recorded in a woody pond in Lapland. Common chaffinch, willow warbler, European pied flycatcher, common greenshank, tufted duck.

24. EURASIAN CURLEW 30.4.2015, 11.30 pm, Riistavesi, Kuopio (0'59").
The courtship sounds of a pair of Eurasian curlews. This is a seldom heard sound.

25. WOOD SANDPIPER 25.5.2007, 3.30 am, Sarvilampi, Savukoski (0'54").
The mating rituals of the wood sandpipers emerge from the swampy shorelines of a pond surrounded by forest. Willow warbler, common frog.

26. COMMON TEAL 26.5.2010, 0.17 am, Siilinjärvi (1'01").
An audio portrait of the courtship sounds made by the common teals in the shallows of this lush lake. On this track, you can hear a variety of bird sounds.

27. RED-THROATED DIVER 21.5.2015, 7.10 am, Riistavesi, Kuopio (0'54").
The characteristic calling sound of the red-throated diver soars over a pond in the woods. Willow warbler, black grouse, common red bunting, common cuckoo.

28. VELVET SCOTER 8.6.2015, 6.40 am, Baggholma, Brändö (0'56").
The sounds of the mating calls of the velvet scoters are heard in this sheltered cove of the Archipelago Sea. Tufted duck, common chaffinch, song thrush.

29. GREAT CRESTED GREBE 4.6.2019, 11.55 am, Riistavesi, Kuopio (1'27").
The rarely heard sounds of the courtship rituals of the great crested grebes. Sedge warbler, redwing, Eurasian woodcock.

30. COMMON CRANE 9.9.2017, 8.45 am, Hirvilahti, Kuopio (1'04").
The calling sounds between a female common crane and her flight-ready chick.

31. BAR-TAILED GODWIT AND EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER 26.6.2006, 4.00 am, Nuolusoiva, Salla (0'39").
This recording was made in a marshy area at the foot of a fell in Lapland, which is a nesting site for the bar-tailed godwits and European golden plovers. Meadow pipit

32. BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE 28.6.2006, 0.40 am, Ekkeroy, Varang Fjord, Northern Norway (1'16").
The sounds of a nesting colony of black-legged kittiwakes.

33. FOX AND WATER RAIL 13.5.2016, 1.40 am, Brändö (1'33").
Recorded from a marshland at the shoreline near a grove of trees. Thrush nightingale, mallard, great crested grebe.

34. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 15.4.2016, 4.00 am, Haeska, Western Estonia (0'40").
This may be the call of the black-tailed godwit. Tawny Owl.

35. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 30.4.2004, 5.05 am, Skaftung Trutklobbarna, Kristiinankaupunki, (0'41").
This is possibly the call of either an Arctic skua or a young herring gull. Black grouse, meadow pipit.

36. WHITE-TAILED EAGLE 12.5.2016, 22.30 am, Brändö (0'44").
The sounds from several white-tailed eagles emerge from the forest that runs down to the shore. Arctic tern, willow warbler, common chaffinch.

37. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 24.7.2014, 3.05 am, Riistavesi, Kuopio (1'10").
Possibly a frog or some species of waterfowl.

38. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 4.5.2015, 0.11 am, Haeska, Western Estonia (0'42").
Possibly the rarely heard song of common snipe or the jack snipe. Common snipe, great bittern, black grouse.

39. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 2.5.2013, 5.30 am, Riistavesi, Kuopio (0'59").
Possibly the call of the common moorhen. Fieldfare, blue tit, black grouse, Eurasian curlew, song thrush, common wood pigeon.

40. OSPREY 15.5.2021, 5.00 am, Hirvilahti, Kuopio (1'03").
The sounds made by ospreys on the shore of their nesting island. Common reed bunting, common chaffinch.

41. GREY WAGTAIL 22.05.2007, 6.00 am, Viitaranta, Savukoski (0'18").
The call of the grey wagtail on the banks of River Kemijoki. Brambling, common chaffinch, common redstart.

42. WILSON’S SNIPE 6.5.2010, 11.30 pm, Vihtasilta, Laukaa (1'15").
The extremely rare courtship song of Wilson’s snipe which resembles the call of Tengmalm’s owl. Song thrush, whooper swan.

43. EURASIAN COOT 2.5.2006, 5.00 am, Rumar, Korppoo (0'53").
The mating sounds of the Eurasian coots resound from the reeds by the shore. Common eider, mew gull, blue tit, black-headed gull, common goldeneye, common chaffinch.

44. HEN HARRIER 15.5.2010 4.50 am, Mukkavaara, Savukoski. The courtship sounds from a pair of hen harriers recorded by the edge of the sparsely wooded swamp. Common redstart, Black woodpecker, wood sandpiper, meadow pipit, Eurasian siskin, black grouse. 8.7.2009, 8.45 pm, Luikonlahti, Kaavi (1'23").
On this part of the recording the pair of hawks are emitting warning cries from around their nesting area in July. You can also hear the sounds of the hawks’ chick.

45. COMMON KINGFISHER 6.5.2003, 7.00 am, Maaninka, Kuopio (0'24").
A series of gentle calling sounds of a kingfisher emerging from the willow bushes on the river bank. Great tit, goosander.

46. MARSH SANDPIPER 25.5.2010, 10.35 am, Siilinjärvi (0'39").
Sounds from the nesting grounds allowing you to eavesdrop on the courtship rituals of the marsh sandpipers. Black grouse, wood sandpiper, common teal, common snipe, northern pintail.

47. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 26.4.2006, 4.15 am, Rumar, Korppoo (1'04").
Possibly a razorbill or a Brünnich’s guillemat. Common eider, common chaffinch, great crested grebe, mew gull, great tit, common goldeneye.

48. BEAVER 5.5.2008, 4.45 am, Pededze, Eastern Latvia (1'02").
The sounds made by beavers can be heard from the flooded meadow on a summer’s night. Thrush nightingale, common snipe, great bittern.

49. WHITE WAGTAIL 26.4.2019, 01.40 pm, Skaftung, Kristiinankaupunki (1'07").
The song of the white wagtail rings out on the bush-covered beach by the seashore. Moor frog, great bittern, common blackbird, Eurasian coot, herring gull.

50. EUROPEAN REED WARBLER 5.6.2015, 9.30 am, Björnholma, Brändö (1'08").
The repetitive song of European reed warbler resounds from the tall reeds lining the shoreline. Thrush nightingale, common blackbird, red-breasted merganser.

51. HORNED GREBE 24.4.2017, 4.50 am, Brändö (1'18").
A sound portrait of the courtship rituals of the horned grebes. European robin, song thrush.

52. LONG-TAILED SKUA 28.6.2006, 1.30 am, Kvalnes, Northern Norway (1'12").
The warning cries of the long-tailed skua fill this summer’s night.

53. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL 7.5.2009, 4.15 am, Andoya Nordmela, Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway (0'57").
The rarely heard sounds of a great black-backed gull. Mew gull.

54. GREY SEAL 24.5.2018 11.25 am, Inre Klovaskärs Hällarna, Kemiö (1'16").
The sounds of a colony of grey seals living on a low rocky outcrop. Mew gull.

55. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 30.6.2017, 8.30 am, Riistavesi, Kuopio (0'29").
This is possibly the calling sound made a mink moving along the shore. Mew gull, common white throat.

56. EURASIAN OYSTER CATCHER 8.5.2011, 2.10 pm, Andoya Björskin, Northern Norway, (0'46").
A portrait of the courtship rituals of the Eurasian oyster catchers in the shallow waters next to the beach. Long-tailed duck.

57. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 25.4.2011, 7.30 pm, Riistavesi, Kuopio (1'12").
Possibly some kind of waterfowl. Mew gull, common white throat.

58. EURASIAN HOOPOE AND TAWNY PIPIT 11.5.2008, 5.30 am, Adeze, Latvia (0'53").
The songs of the Eurasian hoopoes and the tawny pipits resound over this open landscape with many small ponds. Common cuckoo, tree pipit.

59. SWINHOE’S SNIPE 26.6.2008, 4.20, Niirala, Värtsilä (0'28").
The characteristic calls of the extremely rare Swinhoe’s snipe. Common whitethroat, mew gull, garden warbler.

60. TEMMINCK’S STINT AND JACK SNIPE 6.6.2013, 4.40 am, Lokka, Sodankylä (0'54").
A sound portrait of a summer’s night on a shallow shoreline. Willow warbler, brambling, common redpoll, common cuckoo, whooper swan, fieldfare, wood sandpiper.

61. COMMON SHELDUCK 7.5.2009, 3.50 am, Andoya Nordmela, Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway (1'30").
The mating calls of the common shelduck. A very rare recording. Mew gull, mallard.

62. HERRING GULL 6.6.2015, 1.10 am, Borgåsten, Brändö (1'02").
The sounds of chicks and the female gulls resound from a treeless low rocky outcrop in the Archipelago Sea.

63. COMMON RINGED PLOVER 12.4.2016, 3.20 am, Haeska, Western Estonia (1'01").
The courtship song of the common ringed plover can be heard from the shallows of a shoreline meadow. Tundra swan, great bittern, northern lapwing.

64. GARAGNEY 3.5.2015, 0.30 am, Haeska, Western Estonia (0'21").
The very distinctive song of the garagney as it flies in the Estonian skies.

65. TUFTED DUCK 17.5.2010, 3.30 am, Sarvilampi, Savukoski (1'11").
A sound portrait of the tufted ducks who live in marshy land around a pond in the woods. Willow warbler, common reed bunting, fieldfare.

66. WHITE-THROATED DIPPER 2.4.2006, 8.00 am, Tyyrinvirta, Rautalampi (0'57").
The ever-changing song of the white-throated dipper can be heard from the edge of the thawed water of the early spring/late winter. Herring gull.

67. BEAN GOOSE 4.6.2008, 4.00 am, Sokanaapa, Pelkosenniemi (1'20").
The sounds from the bean geese in their nesting colonies in a minerotrophic bog. Lesser spotted woodpecker, common reed bunting, black grouse, wood sandpiper, common reed bunting, common cuckoo, hooded crow, common goldeneye.

68. EURASIAN WIGEON 20.5.2012, 00.30 am, Ukkohalla, Hyrynsalmi (1'14").
The harsh mating calls of the Eurasian wigeon is heard in this boggy lake. Redwing, moor frog, song thrush.

69. WHIMBREL 28.6.2006, 2.30 am, Ekkeroy, Varang Fjord, Northern Norway (1'28").
The sounds made by the whimbrels in their nesting sites. Willow warbler, meadow pipit.

70. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 29.04.2007, 5.00 am, Andoya Nygård, Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway. Possibly the cries of herring gulls.

71. BLACK GUILLEMOT 17.5.2016, 2.50 am, Brändö Yttre Bredan (1'09").
The shrill, high call of the black guillemot was recorded on this rocky outcrop in the sea.

72. SMEW 24.5.2007, 3.00 am, Sarvilampi, Savukoski (1'14").
The subtle courtship sounds of the smews recorded by a wooded pond. On this recording, it is possible to hear also the typical wing sounds of this species. European pied flycatcher, willow warbler, song thrush.

73. RUFF 7.6.2005, 3.30 am, Pelkosenniemi (0'32").
The quiet song of the ruff in their courtship site. On this recording, it is possible to hear also the typical wing sounds of this species.

74. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER 7.5.2009, 1.30 am, Andoya Nordmela, Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway (1'21").
The sound of a group of red-breasted mergansers resounds from this pond in the fell. On this recording, you can hear several different sound modes. Song thrush, black grouse.

75. NOT RECOGNIZED SPECIES 29.4.2007, 2.30 AM, Andoya Nordmela, Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway (1'16").
Possibly the whistle-like sound of the wing beats of a long- tailed duck along the ocean’s shoreline. Mew gull, hooded crow.

76. OTTER 2 23.4.2014, 2.10 am, Kaislastenlahti, Kuopio (1'06").
The sounds of two otters in the melt water in a small brook on this April morning in early spring/late winter.

77. SWINHOE’S SNIPE 26.6.2008, 4.15 am, Niirala, Värtsilä (0'33").
The extremely rare courtship call of a Swinhoe’s snipe in flight. Common whitethroat, corn crake, common cuckoo.

78. COMMON GOLDENEYE 24.4.2009, 00.30 am, Kaislastenlahti, Kuopio (0'54").
The mating sounds of the common goldeneyes resound from this small pool of melted water at the beginning of the spring. Eurasian eagle owl, Eurasian curlew.

79. EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER 5.5.2009, 4.50 am, Andoya Nordmela, Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway (1'07").
The song of the European golden plover can be heard emerging from the moorland on this fell.

CD2

01. NIGHT-TIME BY A MUDDY BEACH HOME TO MANY WATERFOWL 11.5.201, 1.19 am, Siilinjärvi (5'46").
This secluded shore is home to many species of ducks and waterfowl as the low-lying and open muddy beach offers them an ideal nesting place. The quiet of this late spring night is enlivened by the gentle breeze blowing through the trees and the flapping of the birds’ wings. Northern pintail, mew gull, tufted duck, common teal, common snipe, black-headed gull, Eurasian wigeon, little-ringed plover, common goldeneye, common sandpiper.

02. A SPRINGTIME FLOOD COVERS A MARSHY MEADOW 6.5.2020, 10.30 pm, Riistavesi, Kuopio (5'12").
This newly water-filled meadow lies in the shadow of a grove of fir trees. In this wetland, the sounds of frogs and wading birds resound in the fading dusk-light. The hootings of a pair of Ural owls emerge from deep in the conifers. Northern lapwing, common frog, wood sandpiper, Ural owl, common snipe, black-coated diver, moor frog, great bittern, Eurasian woodcock.

03. A SPRINGTIME NIGHT IN THE ARCHIPELAGO SEA 27.4.2006, 3.50 am, Korppoo Rumar (3'55").
A period of calm spreads over this central part of the Archipelago Sea. It does seem that the entire shorelines of all the islands, straits and coves are filled with the mating calls and songs of many species of waterfowl and ducks. Eurasian coot, common eider, great crested grebe, tufted duck, blue tit, mallard.

04. COURTSHIP SOUNDS OF MARSH SANDPIPERS 26.5.2010, 1.59 am, Siilinjärvi (4'26").
This was recorded in an open and low-lying lakeside beach rich in vegetation in late May. The meandering curves of the shore have created many small ponds and these are the favoured habitats of waders, ducks and gulls. Common cuckoo, black grouse, black-headed gull, willow warbler, common chaffinch, song thrush, white wagtail, northern shoveler, mew gull, Eurasian curlew, wood sandpiper, common crane, green sandpiper.

05. A SANDY MEADOW NEXT TO THE OCEAN 29.4.2007 8.00 am, Andoya Nygård, Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway (5'03").
The salt marshes stretch to the Atlantic coastline. On this late April morning, the ocean’s swell provides a rhythmic backing to the songs of the birds living in this environment. Common redshank, greylag goose, common snipe, northern lapwing.

06. AN EARLY SPRING MORNING BY A POND IN THE FOREST 7.5.2020, 4.30 am, Riistavesi, Kuopio (5'57").
This was recorded early on a peaceful morning by a pond in the woods. The ice cover has just disappeared and now the water sparkles in the sunlight. The croaking of the frogs merges with the dawn chorus from the birds living in this mixed woodland. Common frog, common blackbird, redwing, common goldeneye, great bittern, goldcrest, song thrush, herring gull, winter wren, common toad, European robin.

07. A BUSH-FILLED BEACH BY THE SEASHORE 2.5.2004, 5.50 am, Skaftung, Kristiinankaupunki (5'12").
Looking out from the bushes that line the shoreline out to sea one can glimpse a small rocky outcrop. The lapping sound of the waves forms a sonic backdrop to the cries of the gulls nesting on these barren rocks. Common reed bunting, black-headed gull, common eider, mew gull, mute swan, herring gull, common redshank, fieldfare.

08. A CRANE FEEDING IN THE SHALLOWS NEAR THE BEACH 4.6.2018, 11.10 pm, Riistavesi, Kuopio (5'25").
There are patches of rushes and reeds growing along the edge of the beach. A crane, one of the largest of the wading birds, has come to search for food in the shallow water. On this recording as well as the sound of the flapping of birds’ wings, close to the microphone there is a snoring-like sound. Bumblebee, green sandpiper, common teal, Eurasian woodcock, barn swallow, common rosefinch.

09. THE SOUNDS OF COURTSHIP OF THE COMMON EIDERS RESOUND OVER THE ARCHIPELAGO SEA 24.4.2006, 6.15 am, Korppoo Rumar (5'11").
It is a springtime April morning in the Archipelago Sea. The calm night-time waters of the sea seem to teem with seabirds. The common eider ducks have arrived to their nesting sites in the Archipelago Sea. Their characteristic deep calls can be heard from both near and far with the sound carrying long distances over the calm water. Song thrush, mew gull, European greenfinch, common goldeneye, great crested grebe, fieldfare.

10. A SPRING NIGHT ON A TREELESS ROCKY OUTCROP 25.5.2018, 1.45 am, Söderö Klobbarna, Kemiö (5'34").
This was recorded on a treeless rocky outcrop far away from the coastline. It is rather unusual at this time of the year that the sea is so peaceful, in fact the sea has been so calm for several days that there have been no sailing boats in the vicinity. The song of the grey seals can be heard from other far-off rocky outcrops. A thrush nightingale sings heartily from a bush on this rock to welcome the dawn. Thrush nightingale, grey seal, common eider, mute swan, greylag goose.

11. ON THE BANKS OF A SMALL LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EXPANSE OF MARSHLAND WHICH IS HOME TO MANY SPECIES OF BIRDS 26.4.2009, 2.30 am, Rastunsuo, Rautalampi (5'37").
There are hidden places in this small lake in the marshes where many species of ducks hold their courtship rituals. The huge variety of sounds from both waders and owls which can be heard in this opening in the marshland reflects the diversity of birdlife living here. Long-eared owl, mallard, common teal, northern lapwing, Eurasian curlew, whooper swan, common snipe, common crane.

12. THESE SHALLOW WATERS ARE THE HABITAT OF MANY SPECIES OF WADERS 11.5.2011, 1.19 am, Siilinjärvi (4'53").
The month of May is the optimal nesting time for ducks and wading birds and this open and treeless muddy shoreline suits them perfectly. From their hidden sites in the lush vegetation and grasses, these waders create a rich and diverse soundscape. Common sandpiper, Eurasian wigeon, black-headed gull, northern pintail, common teal, mew gull, common goldeneye, northern shoveler, tufted duck, mallard.

13. THE COURTSHIP RITUALS OF THE GREAT SNIPES IN A FLOODED MEADOW 7.5.2008, 1.00 am, River Sita, Litene, Eastern Latvia (4'53").
There are tufts of grass growing in a muddy open field. This field is the night-time location of the courtship rituals of the great snipes that take place in the springtime. A song of a nightingale also rings out of a bush in this flooded meadow. Far off, from a patch of forest it is possible to hear the hoots of an owl. Thrush nightingale, Ural owl.

14. SOUNDS FROM THE WILLOW BUSHES AND GRASSLANDS ON THE BANKS OF A VEGETATION-RICH LAKE 15.5.2012, 6.41 pm, Riistavesi, Kuopio (6'32").
There is a patch of land lying between a marshy meadow and the lush vegetation by the lakeside which represents a rather unique environment. The edge of the meadow has been inundated by a springtime flood and this is a spawning ground for many frogs. Bumblebee, moor frog, fieldfare, Eurasian curlew, Eurasian wigeon, song thrush, redwing, common snipe, hooded crow, common magpie, common chaffinch, common rosefinch, common tern, garagney, black-headed gull.

15. AT THE EDGE OF A MIGHTY OCEAN 7.5.2011, 5.50 am, Andoya Lovik, Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway (6'13").
Recorded by the barren and rocky shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean as the early morning sun bathes this northern location. The shrill sounds of pipits can be heard above the crashing of the waves. In this recording, the bird singing is very possibly a rock pipit or a meadow pipit. Hooded crow, mew gull, Eurasian oystercatcher, common snipe.