The natural landscape, either seen or heard exerts a soothing and comforting effect on humans. By listening to the natural world one can learn about its mysteries. These are the main reasons why I set out to record this series of soundscapes entitled the Nature of Savo. All of the recordings originate from my home region of northern Savo. I have travelled far and wide in this region and know where one can still find areas unscarred by man-made sounds which make possible this kind of recording of the natural soundscape.
The Friends of Kuopio Nature (Kuopion Luonnon Ystäväin Yhdistys r.y.) provided a stipend to help cover the costs of this series of recordings. Without their generosity, it would not have been possible to complete this project. In addition I would like to thank all the talented individuals who have contributed to this project; technical assistance with the recording work, help in cover art of the CD etc. In particular, I would like to thank my wife Maarit for her support and encouragement.
Kuopio, 8.7.2016
Lauri Hallikainen
Producer / Recording engineer
Track descriptions and background species
01 Moor Frogs and Thrush Nightingale 08'02''
13.5.2013 at 2.50 am, Kuopio Riistavesi. A shallow bay of the lake with an abundance of vegetation – by the water’s edge there is a stand of willows. The spring flood washes over the roots of the trees. Common frog, Fieldfare, Common Reed Bunting, Eurasian Teal.
02 Black-throated Divers and Mew Gull 04'37''
6.5.2010 at 3.39 am, Kuopio Hirvilahti. The forest by the beach gives a view of many small islands that dot the crystal clear waters of the lake. Black Grouse, Song Thrush, Whooper Swan, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Redwing, European Herring Gull, European Robin.
03 Reed Bunting, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Willow Warblers 05'36''
26.5.2013 at 3.40 am, Kuopio Riistavesi. The willows on the edge the shore grow sheltered by the trunks of the tall dead-standing aspens. Common Blackbird, Whooper Swan, Common Crane, Common Cuckoo, Common Snipe, Garden Warbler, Great Tit.
04 Blue Tit, Golden Oriole and Sedge Warbler 09'53''
25.6.2013 at 11.55 pm, Kuopio Riistavesi. The shore is lined by birch trees displaying their finest foliage; through the tops of the trees one can make out the expanse of the lake with its banks surrounded by bushes and shrubs. Eurasian Curlew, European Herring Gull, Common Wood Pigeon, Mew Gull, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler.
05 Tree Pipit and Black Woodpecker 13'56''
30.4.2011 at 3.20 am, Kuopio Riistavesi. In a clearing in the pine forest there is a stand of noble aspen trees among some rotting stumps. Common Crane, Song Thrush, Black Grouse, The Great Spotted Woodpecker, Whooper Swan, European Robins, Common Goldeneye, Fieldfare, Eurasian Bullfinch, Black-throated Loon, Eurasian Bittern, Common Chaffinch, Common Snipe, Great Tit, Yellowhammer, Brambling, Common Redpoll.
06 Eurasion Curlews and Eurasian Black Grouse 08'05''
21.5.2012 at 9.12 pm, Kuopio Riistavesi. The continuity of a large field is broken by patches of woodland. Green Sandpiper, Eurasian Woodcock, Moor Frog, Redwing, Common Snipe, Garganey, Great Crested Grebe, Common Cuckoo, Fieldfare, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull. Green Sandpiper, lehtokurppa, Eurasian Woodcock, Redwing, Common Snipe, Garganey, Great Crested Grebe, Common Cuckoo, Fieldfare, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull.
07 Ural Owl and Song Thrushes 06'00''
20.5.2015 at 10.45 pm, Kuopio Riistavesi. The crystal clear waters of the lake lie at the edge of an almost treeless bog covered with moss and marsh tea. European Robin, Common Cuckoo, Moor frog, Whooper Swan, Black Grouse, Common toad, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Blackbird, Common Crane.
08 Little Gull, Cranes and Cuckoos 05'20''
26.5.2010 at 1.59 am, Siilinjärvi. There are bushes growing in the wide mud-covered beach at the edge of a forest of deciduous trees. Willow Warbler, Black Grouse, Song Thrush, Common Greenshank, Common Goldeneye, Mew Gull.
09 Willow tit, Whooper Swan and Black Grouses 07'12''
4.5.2012 at 4.13 am, Kuopio Hirvilahti. Near the water’s edge in among the fir trees there are some elderly grey alder trees and half-fallen rotting tree trunks. European Robin, Eurasian Blue Tit, Fieldfare, Common Crane, Mew Gull, Eurasian Curlew, Redwing, Black-headed Gull, Black-throated Loon.
10 Common Frogs, Boreal Owl and Mergansers 07'46''
3.5.2012 at 11.10 pm, Kuopio Riistavesi. The shadows from the conifers dance across the newly ice-free waters of the bay of the lake. Moor Frog, Eurasian Bittern, Mallard, Northern Lapwing, Common Greenshank.
Translated by Airi MacDonald and Ewen MacDonald 2016