01 WILLOW GROUSE / SOUNDSCAPE Lagopus lagopus. 24 April 1999, 3.20 am, Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo.
A Willow Grouse giving its characteristic cackles and bursts of laughter on the edge of a pine mire. Also heard is the sound of the Willow Grouse taking wing, and, towards the end of the track, the courtship of the Black Grouse. Black Grouse, Jack Snipe, Robin, Redwing, Song Thrush, Whooper Swan, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Mallard, Common Teal, Sky Lark, Eurasian Wigeon, Long-eared Owl, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Goldeneye. 4'33"

02 EURASIAN TREECREEPER / SOUNDSCAPE Certhia familiaris. 30 April 1998, 7.35 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Palonen.
The piercing, clear-toned song of the Eurasian Treecreeper. This bird with a sharp hooky bill favours old mixed or spruce forests. The sparkling brook in the backgroud adds a special feature to the warm April morning. Common Chaffinch, Siskin, Fieldfare, Green Sandpiper, Common Bullfinch. 2´25"

03 SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus. 25 April 1999, 11.00 pm, Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo.
The mysterious soft pumping call of the secretive Short-eared Owl. The recording was made on a calm April night on the edge of an open bog. 1'27"

04 BLACK WOODPECKER Dryocopus martius. 25 April 1999, 7.20 am, Maaninka (Eastern Finland), Ruokovirta.
The long drumbursts and high metallic courtship calls of the Black Woodpecker. This extraordinary "spring-neck" lives in the backwoods and ancient forests. The recording was made in a coniferous forest with stout trees growing on the shore. Greenfinch, Black Grouse, Redwing, Common Gull, Crow, Whooper Swan, Pied Wagtail,Green Sandpiper, Fieldfare, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Teal, Great Tit, Common Chaffinch. 2'15"

05 DUNNOCK / SOUNDSCAPE Prunella modularis.5 May 1999, 3.30 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti.
The gentle warbling song of the Dunnock at the crack of dawn. The spruce forest is filled with the smell of conifer and bird song. Black Grouse, Common Redpoll, Willow Tit, Common Chaffinch, Goldcrest. 1'20"

06 BLACK GROUSE (male) Tetrao tetrix. 21 May 1998, 0.40 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki.
A courting Black Grouse cooing and beating its wings in the crystal air of the cold spring night. Tengmalm´s Owl. 1'37"

07 CRESTED TIT Parus cristatus. 12 May 1999, 3.30 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Palonen.
The trilling song of the Crested Tit. This lively bird typically inhabits forests dominated by pine trees. Willow Tit, Black Grouse, Robin, Common Redpoll, Tree Pipit. 1'16"

08 COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita. 12 May 1999, 3.30 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Palonen.
The trilling song of the Crested Tit. This lively bird typically inhabits forests dominated by pine trees. Willow Tit, Black Grouse, Robin, Common Redpoll, Tree Pipit. 1'16"

09 COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus. 21 May 1998, 3.40 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki.
A courting pair of Common Cuckoos. The female, attracted by the male´s ´kuk-kooh´ calls, responds with a series of piercing notes delivered at high frequency. The conversation continues with soft wheezing and puffing sounds. Common Chaffinch, Black Grouse, Siskin, Willow Tit, Redwing. 1'41"

10 TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis. 22 May 1999, 5.05 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki.
The cheerful, fresh tones of the Tree Pipit. Here this lively little creature chirps out its song from the top branches of a pine tree, occasionally taking off for a short song flight. Common Redpoll, Black Grouse, Common Chaffinch, Siskin, Brambling, Goldcrest, Greenshank. 2'59"

11 COMMON REDPOLL Carduelis flammea. 26 May 1999, 5.30 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki.
A group of small, spirited Common Redpolls singing their "slurping" song. Encountering these lively creatures in the wilderness, usually in flocks, is a delightful experience. Whooper Swan, Willow Warbler, Green Sandpiper, Tree Pipit, Bohemian Waxwing, Common Chaffinch, Brambling, Common Cuckoo. 2'10"

12 COMMON CUCKOO (male) / SOUNDSCAPE Cuculus canorus. 22 May 1999, 7.00 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki.
The Common Cuckoo giving its characteristic, clear call by a remote riverside meadow. Willow Warbler, Brambling, Willow Tit, Common Chaffinch, Great Tit, Common Snipe, Song Thrush. 2'20"

13 BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla. 22 May 1999, 4.40 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki.
The rolling song and wheezing calls of a Brambling. This northern species is found in all kinds of woodland. Here the bird is surrounded by the unbroken peace of the wilderness. Black Grouse, Willow Warbler. 1'19"

14 SOUNDSCAPE 13 May 1999, 4.55 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Palonen.
A spring brook at dawn. Common Crosbill, Common Chiffchaff, Great Tit. 2'06"

15 SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia. 28 May 1999, 4.45 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Rovevaara.
A colony of Sand Martins at their nests in an isolated sand pit in the hinterlands. 0'51".

16 BLACK GROUSE (female) Tetrao tetrix. 22 May 1999, 5.15 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki.
The sounds of a Black Grouse female, accompanied by other birds singing in the spring forest. Here the bird settles on the top of a pine tree to cackle and cluck for a while, then takes off again. Brambling, Tree Pipit, Siskin. 1'20"

17 MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus. 4 June 1999, 7.40 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Niinivaara.
A Mistle Thrush singing its beautiful, melancholy song. This delightful sound is most often heard in sunny pine forests sometimes growing on rocky soil. Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit. 2'32"

18 RUSTIC BUNTIN Emberiza rustica. 4 June 1999, 5.25 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), River Vaikkojoki.
A Rustic Bunting singing its delightfully clear flute-like song. This pretty little bird prefers swampy coniferous or mixed forest with clearings and poorly developed trees. This recording was made in a riverside mire with pines and spruces. The distant rumble of the rapids can be heard from further out in the wilderness. Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Common Chaffinch, Common Snipe. 1'25"

19 WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix. 1 June 1998, 4.10 am, Karttula (Eastern Finland), Talluskylä.
A Wood Warbler singing its clear warbling trill that accelerates towards the end and is followed by a series of flute-like sounds recalling the Willow Tit. This species favours old mixed forest with mainly deciduous trees and bushes and young spruces as undergrowth. The bird singing on this track was perched on a branch close to the ground deep inside the forest. Tree Pipit, Common Cuckoo, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Crow, Willow Warbler. 1'59"

20 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva. 11 June 1999, klo 4.00 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the pond of Vuorilampi.
The clear and wistfully descending phrases of the Red-breasted Flycatcher. This rare bird with a ringing voice is found in old-growth mixed forest. Common Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest. 2'09"

21 THREE-TOED WOODPECKER Picoides tridactylus. 11 June 1999, 5.25 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the pond of Vuorilampi.
A secretive and quiet bird, the Three-toed Woodpecker lives deep inside pristine spruce forests. This recording was made at the bird´s nesthole in a wooded hollow. The nestlings are begging with a loud squeaking sound, while one of the parents is calling softly nearby. Robin, Song Thrush. 1'41".

22 ARCTIC WARBLER Phylloscopus borealis. 20 June 1999, 8.35 am, Kontiolahti (Eastern Finland), Jakokoski.
The song of the Arctic Warbler is a series of clear, jingling notes. This bird is found in remote northern areas, especially around the margins of mountain streams with birch forest. Here the bird is singing perched on the top branches of a birch tree. Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Whinchat, Common Chaffinch. 1'22"

23 ORIENTAL CUCKOO Cuculus saturatus. 28 June 1998, 8.15 am, Lieksa (Eastern Finland), Tolkeinvaara. 1'01".
The display call of the Oriental Cuckoo in the wilderness near the Russian border. The disyllabic call of this bird is reminiscent of the Hoopoe´s, but deeper and with the characteristic ´poo-poo´ call repeated 3-4 times. This is the first time that a singing Oriental Cuckoo has been observed in Western Europe. 1'01"

24 GREENISH WARBLER / SOUNDSCAPE Phylloscopus trochiloides. 11 June 1999, 3.40 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the pond of Vuorilampi.
The Greenish Warbler singing its bustling and stumbling song, hiding on the upper branches of a tree. The recording was made by a pond in a spruce forest with a scattering of deciduous trees. Wood Warbler, Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Treecreeper, Wren, Common Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Goldcrest. 1'55"

25 OSPREY Pandion haliaetus. 19 August 1999, 9.40 am, the rural commune of Pieksämäki (Eastern Finland), Ringinsuo.
The alarm and contact calls of an Osprey nesting in a wilderness area surrounded by several lakes. The recording was made on the edge of a spruce mire with dried-up pines standing here and there. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Jay. 1'07"

26 PARROT CROSSBILL Loxia pytyopsittacus. 25 August 1998, 6.50 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Suovu.
The Parrot Crossbill, a bird of the pine forest, singing on a crisp morning in early autumn. Also heard is the sound of water dripping down from the trees. Eurasian Jay. 1'10"

27 GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor. 19 August 1999, 9.55 am, the rural commune of Pieksämäki (Eastern Finland), Ringinsuo.
The piercing squeaks and jay-like harsh croaks of the Great Grey Shrike. Recorded by a clump of spruces in the middle of an open bog. Great Spotted Woodpecker. 0'46"

28 BEAR Ursus arctos. 8 September 1998, 6.10 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Suovu.
A bear making noise in a young spruce stand. The roars are probably warning signs emitted by the bear as it scents a danger. Eurasian Jay. 0'37"

29 HAZEL GROUSE Bonasa bonasia. 2 September 1998, 6.20 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti, Lake Lammasjärvi.
The gentle whistle of the Hazel Grouse, living deep in the forest. Also heard is the purring of its wings as it flies in the misty morning. Crossbills. 2'18"

30 HAWK OWL Surnia ulula. 21 February 1999, 11.20 pm, Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), Rastunsuo.
The sharp clear-toned contact calls of a Hawk Owl, perched between a spruce mire and an open bog. 0'49"

31 WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos leucotos. 14 March 1999, 8.20 am, Northern Savo (Eastern Finland).
The display drumming of the White-backed Woodpecker, an endangered species in Finland. The drumburst is strong and long-lasting, weakening towards the end. The recording was made on a cold winter morning in an old deciduous forest with stout aspens and birches. In the foreground you can hear the shorter drumburst of the Three-toed Woodpecker. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Common Bullfinch. 4'00"

32 EAGLE OWL Bubo bubo. 12 March 1999, 11.20 pm, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), Pelonniemi.
The impressive hollow hooting of an Eagle Owl calling beside the cliffs where it has its nest. The recording was made on a cold starlit night in March. 1'28"

33 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major. 21 March 1999, 9.40 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), Riistavesi.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker feels at home both in the wilderness and around human settlement. This recording starts with short drumbursts, followed by regular tapping as the bird is searching for food. After that, noises from a territorial dispute, shrill ´kik´ sounds and intense calling. The recording was made within the bird´s territory in an old-growth forest on a winter morning. Great Tit, Blue Tit, Common Redpoll, Common Bullfinch. 3'32"

34 GREAT GREY OWL Strix nebulosa. 25 March 1999, 1.35 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Syrjävaara.
The rarely heard, mysterious puffing calls of a courting Great Grey Owl male. This is a bird that resides in remote wilderness areas. The recording was made on the bird´s nesting territory in a patchy old coniferous forest. The wind whining in the background is heralding a snow flurry. 1'40"

35 PYGMY OWL Glaucidium passerinum. 14 March 1999, 6.10 pm, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Sivakkavaara.
The courtship whistle of the Pygmy Owl in the clear bluish light of the late February evening. 1'42"

36 BEAN GOOSE / SOUNDSCAPE 29 April 1998, 4.35 am, Maaninka (Eastern Finland), Mustavirta.
The nasal cackle of the Bean Goose. A flock of geese on their migration have stopped to forage in a shoreline meadow. Black-headed Gull, Fieldfare,Willow Tit, Eurasian Curlew, Black Grouse, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Common Teal, Redwing, Common Chaffinch. 1'50"

37 CAPERCAILLIE Tetrao urogallus. 18 April 1999, 4.40 am, Rautalampi (Eastern Finland), the bay of Vihtalahti.
The gulps and saw-whetting calls of a courting Capercaillie cock. The early morning hour is warm and damp, with trees dripping with water. Common Redpoll, Black Grouse, Song Thrush, Siskin. 1'58"