This recording is issued as part of the celebrations marking Finland’s centenary. I wish to express my humble thanks to those freedom-loving war veterans whose sacrifice ensured that Finland is an independent country. My own father, Matti Hallikainen (1916-1999), served first in the Winter War and was then wounded during the withdrawal phase of the Continuation War in 1944. The generation that lived through these wars were forced to make enormous sacrifices, but they ensured the preservation of our freedom and independence. The national flag with its blue cross on a white background symbolizes many of the values which the Finnish nation will never yield. The blue cross is a holy cross, which is the greatest victory symbol in the history of the world.
The soundscapes in this recording are all from my home province of North Savo. The recordings highlight the diversity of its natural landscape and are evidence that there are still undisturbed, peaceful locations in this province where one can make these kinds of recordings. I express my warmest thanks to the Friends of Kuopio Nature (Kuopion Luonnon Ystäväin Yhdistys ry); without their financial support this double CD could not have been published. In addition, I would like to express my thanks to all the individuals who contributed to this publication.
Kuopio, 27.6.2017
Lauri Hallikainen
Producer / Recording engineer
Track descriptions and background species
CD1
01 A May night by the lakeside. 5.5.2016; 1.15 am, Maaninka Kinnulanlahti 6'01"
This lake is home to many species of birds and frogs; it is still dim on this early morning at the start of summer. The scenery is dominated by the lush growth of reeds and rushes in this shallow lake.
Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Whooper Swan, Mallard, Eurasian Coot, Northern Pintail, Moor Frog, Common Teal.
02 Dawn breaks in the woodland home of the Grey-headed Woodpecker. 8.5.2016; 04.05 am, Kuopio Riistavesi 7'35".
The dawn gradually spreads its light over the peaceful and still woodland with its many lakes. The Grey-headed Woodpecker has its well-hidden nest high up in an aspen in the forest that reaches down to the lakeside.
Redwing, Common Wood Pigeon, European Common Frog, Black-headed Gull, Black Grouse, Common Cuckoo, Song Thrush, Willow Warbler, European Robin, Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Whitethroat, Dunnock, Common Chaffinch, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Curlew, Great Tit, Hooded Crow, Moor Frog, Common Crane.
03 Three species of frogs in this wetland. 8.5.2016; 00.25 am, Kuopio Riistavesi 6'08"
The first warm nights of the spring energise the spawning rituals of frogs. This recording is rather unique, since one can hear the voices of three different species of frogs in the shallows of the pond: The common toad (bufo bufo); the moor frog (rana arvalis); the European common frog (Rana temporaria). Eurasian Woodcock.
04 Dawn chorus in the pine forest. 29.5.2013; 3.30 am, Kuopio Riistavesi 7'22"
The reddish-brown slender trunks of the pine trees have a canopy of light-green foliage. This merges seamlessly with the darker greens of the fir trees that stretch far into the distance.
Mistle Thrush, Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Robin, Redwing, Black Grouse, Great Crested Grebe, Song Thrush.
05 Willow shrubs by the lakeside. 15.5.2013; 8.30 pm, Kuopio Riistavesi 5'00"
Bumble-bees swarm around the blossoms of the willow bushes on this spring evening. The moor frogs are spawning in the wetlands by the lakeside now covered by rising spring floods.
Willow Warbler, Common Tern, Yellowhammer, Northern Lapwing, Brambling, Wood Sandpiper, Fieldfare, Common Chaffinch, Redwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Teal.
06 An ancient conifer forest. 26.4.2010; 5.00 am, Kuopio Riistavesi 5'08"
The forest floor is covered by a virgin carpet of moss with its small dimples and hollows. The forest floor displays a mosaic-like pattern cast by the conifers in this stand of pine and spruce trees.
Western Capercaillie, Three-toed Woodpecker, Common Chaffinch, Black Grouse, Whooper Swan, Common Wood pigeon, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Robin, Eurasian Siskin, Eurasian Treecreeper, Herring Gull, Eurasian Jay.
07 The virtuoso song-bird – the lark. 5.5.2016; 7.30 am, Maaninka Kinnulanlahti 4'38"
The song of the lark soars above the meadows into the blue heavens with its melody of joy, freedom and hope.
Bumble-bee, Black-headed Gull, European Common Frog, Eurasian Curlew, Fieldfare, Common Raven.
08 The forest home of the Greenish Warbler. 30.5.2012; 3.50 am, Kuopio Riistavesi 5'45"
The birches and spruces are sprouting from a small creek; its floor is covered with moss through which blossoming blueberry sprigs burst.
Redwing, Winter Wren, Common Cuckoo, Black Grouse, Whooper Swan, Great Bittern.
09 Courtship rituals of the Common Teal. 27.5.2010; 00.50 am, Siilinjärvi 4'24"
At the edge of the marshland, willow bushes and marsh tea stand upright in the spring flooded land. The dim stillness of the spring night is the backdrop to the courtship ritual of the common teal.
Northern Pintail, Common Greenshank, Common Snipe.
10 The domain of the Garden Warbler. 11.6.2013; 03.25am, Kuopio Riistavesi 7'00"
The early morning sun’s rays glisten on the dew drops which cover the young leaves of the birch tree. The scents of the birch leaves match the freshness of the garden warbler’s song.
Great Tit, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Curlew, Sedge Warbler, Mew Gull, Common Cuckoo, Fieldfare, Willow Warbler.
11 The meadow landscape home of the sparrows. 25.5.2012; 04.20 am, Kuopio Riistavesi 6'08"
The sounds of sparrows emerge from the alder and willow shrubs that grow along a ditch. The farmyard is situated over the shrubs and beyond the pastures.
Common Cuckoo, Yellowhammer, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Eurasian Curlew, Common Greenshank, Common Magpie, Redwing, Fieldfare, Mew Gull, Common Tern.
12 The forest of the Common Buzzard. 26.5.2013; 5.00 am, Kuopio Riistavesi 4'04"
The roots of the fir tree are covered with a carpet of brown needles which are dimly lit by the light passing through the dense dark green foliage of the trees. Hidden away in the fir trees, one can find the nest and the hunting grounds of a Common Buzzard.
Common chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Brambling, Common Cuckoo, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare, Great Tit, Common Crane.
13 A clear sparkling lake. 30.4.2016; 11.18 pm, Kuopio Hirvilahti 4'27"
14 A gathering of Black Grouse hens and cocks. 2.5.2013; 4.30 am, Kuopio Riistavesi 4'16"
CD2
01 A squirrel in the branches of a fir tree by the lakeside. 10.7.2013; 03.20 am, Kuopio Hirvilahti 5'54"
A peaceful early morning in the stand of fir trees by the lakeside. On this July morning, the gentle rain drips through the branches of the conifers spreading their scent to the surroundings. Deeper in the fir tree stand, some common wood pigeons are cooing in their nests.
Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Song Thrush.
02 The reeds swaying in the October wind. 19.10.2013; 02.50 am, Kuopio Hirvilahti 10'31"
The reeds and rushes by the shore are swaying in the breeze. The chilly autumn wind is blowing from the leeside so the waves are heading away from the shore to the other side of the lake.
Whooper Swan.
03 A flock of goosanders fishing in the autumn. 13.11.2013 02.50 pm, Kuopio Hirvilahti 6'50"
In October-November, before the lakes freeze over, flocks of goosanders migrating south have gathered on the lake. The birds form a semi-circle and then move as a group towards the shore driving the shoals of small fish into shallow waters before devouring them.
04 The snow and the courtship rituals of the Northern Hawk Owls. 4.3.2014; 6.50 am, Kuopio Hirvilahti 6'00"
The snowflakes flutter down into the clearing in the woods. There is a small clump of dead-standing trees by the edge of the clearing. High up in one of these dead-standing trees there is a northern hawk owl, which in many respects resembles a hawk. High up in a fir tree, there is the bird’s partner. The quiet rustle of the snowflakes and courtship calls of the owls create a truly exotic natural soundscape.
05 The Ural Owl and the Song of the Ice. 8.4.2014; 3.00 am, Kuopio Kaislastenlahti 6'56"
The spring of 2014 was exceptional since the ice was not covered by snow since that winter had been largely snow-free. There were deep night frosts in March-April which made the lake ice appear to “sing”. This track is rather unique since the song of the ice is accompanied by the courtship calls of the Ural owl. Mallard, Whooper Swan.
06 The spring migration of the Bohemian Waxwings. 27.4.2011; 06.15 pm, Kuopio Riistavesi 8'02"
The joyful chatter of a flock of Bohemian waxwings as they make their way north. The birds’ passage is eased by the presence of a warm southerly wind.
Black Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Redwing, Yellowhammer, Common Chaffinch, Black Grouse, Fieldfare, Common Wood Pigeon, European Robin.
07 An overflowing brook in the spring. 14.5.2013; 00.40 am, Kuopio Kaislastenlahti 9'18"
The brook which traverses through the conifer forest with its carpet of moss ultimately flows into the marshy ground around the lakeside. The overflowing brook waters are an ideal location where the European common frogs have gathered to spawn.
European Common Frog, Eurasian Woodcock.
08 A spring night by a forest pond. 27.5.2010; 3.03 am, Siilinjärvi 6'19"
The shallow bank of a woodland pond is surrounded by pines and the still leafless birch trees. The spring breeze whistles through the trees. In the shelter of the pond, a small group of tufted ducks are performing their courtship rituals.
Willow Warbler, Common Teal.
09 The approach of a storm front. 27.6.2013; 04.05 pm, Kuopio Kaislastenlahti 11'14"
The shallow bank of a woodland pond is surrounded by pines and the still leafless birch trees. The spring breeze whistles through the trees. In the shelter of the pond, a small group of tufted ducks are performing their courtship rituals.
Willow Warbler, Common Teal.
10 The sound of summer rain. 31.7.2013; 04.50 am, Kuopio Hirvilahti 7'04"
The branches of the birch trees lining the lakeside are bent over with the weight of their foliage. The raindrops drip into the calm lakeside waters after they have bathed the leaves of the trees. The rushes and reeds by the banks are twisted in many directions by the falling rain.
Common Goldeneye.