While the birds heard in this recording inhabit mostly yards, gardens and other cultural landscapes, many of these singers are also found in the wilderness far from human habitation. This applies, for example, to the Chaffinch and the Willow Warbler, both common in Finland. Some species appear on several tracks, for example the Great Tit with four samples. This is because tits may have dozens of different styles of call and song.
I want to thank those who accompanied me on my recording excursions making possible many unforgettable early morning outings. I also want to thank all birdwatchers who helped locate a singing bird, especially a rare one. A warm thanks to my wife Maarit and a special thanks to Petteri Harjuvaara for his valuable work in editing the tracks by computer.
Kuopio, 22.July 2001
Lauri Hallikainen
Producer / Recording engineer
Track descriptions and background species
01 COMMON CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs. 8 June 2001, 4.45 am,Tervo (Eastern Finland), Rakola.
A Common Chaffinch singing itsmelodious, upbeat song on the edge of a garden. The bird switchedbetween songposts several times during the recording. CommonCuckoo, Common Rosefinch, Garden Warbler, Willow Tit, Redwing,Willow Warbler, Great Tit. 3'20"
02 GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin. 2 June 2001, 4.55 am, Maaninka(Eastern Finland), the bay of Tuovilanlahti.
The delightful songof the Garden Warbler is one of the sure signs of summer. Thisbird favours gardens with lots of bushes. Redwing, NorthernLapwing, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Curlew. 2'21"
03 COCKEREL / SOUNDSCAPE Gallus domesticus. 28 May 2001, 4.30 am,Pori (South-Western Finland), Kyläsaari.
A farmyard awakening tothe first crows of a cockerel on a May morning. Blue Tit,Blackbird, Thrush Nightingale, Blackcap, Yellowhammer. 2'20"
04 SOUNDSCAPE 15 June 2000, 3.55 am, Pori (South-Western Finland),Preiviiki.
An early morning soundscape recorded at the summercottage in June. Common Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, CommonPheasant, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit. 1'24"
05 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER #1 Muscicapa striata. 27 June 2001, 7.55am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Niinivaara.
A modest performance bya Spotted Flycatcher hiding within the foliage. Common Chaffinch.1'35"
06 HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica. 29 June 1999, 6.20 am,Pelkosenniemi (Lapland), Kairosmaja.
House Martins chattering intheir nests under the eaves. Common Chaffinch. 2'27"
07 SQUIRREL Sciurus vulgaris. 8 September 1999, 7.05 am, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
The smacking sounds ofa squirrel, sitting on the branch of a spruce on a cool autumnmorning. Common Chaffinch, Black Grouse, Robin, Willow Warbler.1'21"
08 PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba. 12 September 1999, 6.35 am, Kaavi(Eastern Finland), Niinivaara.
A Pied Wagtail singing its cheerymelodious phrases on a riverbank in autumn. Great SpottedWoodpecker. 0'48"
09 BLUE TIT #1 Parus caeruleus. 16 October 2000, 0.20 pm, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
A Blue Tit quarrellingwith a Magpie in the garden. 1'19"
10 MAGPIE Pica pica. 21 October 2000, 9.25 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
Magpies holding a conversationon the branches of a birch tree in the garden on an autumnmorning. 1'27"
11 MARSH TIT Parus palustris. 6 December 2000, 10.10 am, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Neulalahti.
The rare Marsh Titsinging its song near the bird-table in December, with the windwhispering in the background. 0'43"
12 HOUSE SPARROW #1 Passer domesticus. 6 January 1999, 9.15 am,Kuopio (Eastern Finland), Männistö.
Chirpy House Sparrowsbustling about in the hedgerow on a winter morning. Magpie.1'20"
13 COMMON BULLFINCH #1 Pyrrhula pyrrhula. 14 February 1999, 9.10am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
The clear,silvery song of the Common Bullfinch near the bird-table on aFebruary morning. Common Crossbill, Willow Tit. 1'26"
14 TAWNY OWL Strix aluco. 21 February 1999, 0.35 am, Rautalampi(Eastern Finland).
A Tawny Owl male marking his territory near avillage in the cold February night. Eagle Owl. 0'38"
15 HOODED CROW Corvus corone cornix. 22 April 2000, 7.05 am,Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
Hooded Crowscroaking on an April morning. Common Chaffinch, Robin,Black-headed Gull, Siskin, Common Bullfinch, Black Grouse,Fieldfare, Blue Tit. 1'52"
16 GREAT TIT #1 Parus major. 13 April 2000, 6.20 am, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
The contact calls ofGreat Tits near the bird-table. Common Chaffinch, CommonBullfinch, Blue Tit. 1'29"
17 ROOK Corvus frugilegus. 22 April 2001, 7.20 am, Pori(South-Western Finland), Raatihuoneenpuisto.
The sounds of a Rookcolony in the town park on a Sunday morning. Eurasian Jackdaw.1'29"
18 FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris. 25 April 2001, 7.20 am, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
A Fieldfare chatteringon the branch of a birch in the garden on an April morning.Redwing, Great Tit, Eurasian Curlew, Siskin, Brambling.1'48"
19 GREAT TIT #2 Parus major. 13 April 2000, 6.40 am, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
A Great Tit singing itscheery spring song on a chilly April morning. Common Chaffinch,Eurasian Jay, Yellowhammer, Blue Tit. 1'45"
20 COMMON BULLFINCH #2 Pyrrhula pyrrhula. 15 April 1999, 10.15am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
The rarelyheard song of the Common Bullfinch on a windy spring morning.Great Tit, Hooded Crow, Siskin, Magpie, Yellowhammer. 1'40"
21 SOUNDSCAPE 30 April 2001, 4.25 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland),the bay of Hirvilahti.
The sounds of an early spring morning atthe summer cottage. Common Bullfinch, Black-throated Diver,Fieldfare, Black Grouse, Eurasian Curlew, Common Chiffchaff,Siskin, Blue Tit, Common Chaffinch, Redwing, Common Gull, WoodPigeon, Brambling, Great Spotted Woodpecker. 4'19"
22 GREAT TIT #3 Parus major. 21 April 1999, 7.10 am, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
A Great Tit singing itssong and a Magpie commenting on the performance. CommonChaffinch, Common Bullfinch, Brambling. 0'52"
23 WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus. 16 May 1999, 5.10 am,Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti. A
Willow Warblerperforming its delightful, faintly descending verse somewherenear the garden. Fieldfare, Common Chaffinch, Wood Warbler,Redwing, Garden Warbler. 2'09"
24 BLUE TIT #2 Parus caeruleus. 30 April 2001, 4.30 am, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
The delightfullymelodious song of a Blue Tit perched by its nesting box.Fieldfare, Common Crane, Black-headed Gull, Black Grouse,Redwing. 2'10"
25 GREAT TIT #4 Parus major. 2 May 2001, 4.50 am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Niinivaara.
A Great Tit singing its clear, see-sawingsong next to a lodge in the woods. Frog, Fieldfare, CommonChaffinch, Whooper Swan, Willow Tit. 1'10"
26 BLUE TIT #3 Parus caeruleus. 28 April 2001, 4.50 am, Kuopio(Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
A Blue Tit performingits own variation of the song of the Coal Tit. Also heard is thesound of dripping water after a spring shower. Fieldfare,Redwing, Song Thrush, Common Chaffinch, Black-headed Gull,Whooper Swan. 1'58"
27 SISKIN Carduelis spinus. 6 May 2001, 6.35 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Kaislastenlahti.
A Siskin performing itsmany-toned song from a tree branch. Common Chaffinch, CommonSnipe. 1'59"
28 SOUNDSCAPE 30 May 2001, 4.05 am, Merikarvia (WesternFinland), Lake Prinssijärvi.
Birds singing merrily behind thegentle green of the foliage on the edges of a garden. CommonRosefinch, Common Chaffinch, Thrush Nightingale, Blackcap,Fieldfare, Wood Pigeon. 2'44"
29 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER #2 Muscicapa striata. 27 May 2000, 4.40 am,Maaninka (Eastern Finland), the bay of Patalahti.
The soft songof a Spotted Flycatcher searching for the correct notes. Alsoheard is the flutter of its wings on take-off. Willow Warbler,Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler. 0'44"
30 HOUSE SPARROW #2 Passer domesticus. 28 May 2001, 5.05 am, Pori(South-Western Finland), Preiviiki.
House Sparrows chatteringaround the garden on a calm May morning. Great Tit, CommonPheasant, Barn Swallow. 1'32"
31 BLACKCAP / SOUNDSCAPE Sylvia atricapilla. 27 May 2001, klo4.35 am, Pori (South-Western Finland), Kyläsaari.
Sounds from agrove-like garden in late May. Thrush Nightingale, Blue Tit, WoodPigeon, Willow Warbler, Common Pheasant, Black-headed Gull.2'59"
32 COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus. 29 May 2001, 9.30 pm,Merikarvia (Western Finland), Lake Prinssijärvi.
The cheerfulsong of the Common Rosefinch is one of the characteristic soundsof summer. Common Chaffinch, Garden Warbler, Common Pheasant,Common Cuckoo, Fieldfare, Willow. 1'42"
33 BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla. 30 May 2001, 4.10 am, Merikarvia(Western Finland), Lake Prinssijärvi.
The velvety flute-likenotes of the Blackcap on a brisk May morning. Black Grouse,Fieldfare, Redwing, Common Chaffinch. 1'02"
34 GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris. 30 May 2001, 4.50 am, Merikarvia(Western Finland), Lake Prinssijärvi.
Greenfinches singing theirsong repertoire near the bird-table. Willow Warbler, Hooded Crow,Great Tit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Pied Flycatcher.2'15"
35 ICTERINE WARBLER / SOUNDSCAPE Hippolais icterina. 30 May 2001,5.40 am, Pori (South-Western Finland), Teemuluoto.
Two IcterineWarblers singing upon returning from their migration. CommonCuckoo, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, CommonPheasant, Blackcap, Common Chaffinch, Fieldfare. 1'24"
36 PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca. 8 May 2001, 6.20 am,Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
Back from itsmigration, a Pied Flycatcher is singing by the nesting box.Hooded Crow, Redwing, Black Grouse, Eurasian Curlew, CommonSnipe, Common Goldeneye, Robin, Fieldfare, Northern Lapwing,Common Chaffinch. 2'58"
37 REDWING Turdus iliacus. 1 June 1998, 3.40 am, Karttula(Eastern Finland), Ilopuro.
The Redwing has a far-carrying songwith phrases ending in a quiet, squeaking twitter. Common Cuckoo,Willow Tit, Robin, Great Tit, Willow Warbler. 1'21"
38 BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica. 3 June 2001, 5.55 am, Maaninka(Eastern Finland), the bay of Tuovilanlahti.
The cheerful,warbling song of the Barn Swallow brings a sense of summer to thegarden. Eurasian Curlew, Wood Pigeon, Common Snipe, Fieldfare,Common Cuckoo, Whinchat, Common Rosefinch. 2'33"
Translated by Kirsi Komonen and Ewen Macdonald 2004