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GOLDEN EAGLE

RECORDING THE WORLD ONE SPECIES AT A TIME

Nature soundscapes are intricate symphonies composed of various natural sounds that come together to create a harmonious auditory experience. Imagine standing in a lush forest, where the gentle rustling of leaves dances with the melodic chirping of birds overhead.

In a meadow, the soft whisper of tall grasses swaying in the breeze mingles with the buzzing of bees and the chirping of crickets. The distant call of a lone bird adds a touch of whimsy to the scene, while the rustle of small creatures foraging in the grass provides a subtle percussion.

By the shore, the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore builds a mesmerising cadence, punctuated by the cries of seagulls soaring overhead. The gentle lapping of water against the rocks adds a soothing backdrop to the symphony, while the occasional cry of a distant seabird adds a touch of mystery to the scene.

In each of these natural environments, the sounds of nature come together to form a rich tapestry of sound that captivates the senses and transports the listener to a place of peace and tranquillity. Whether it's the serene silence of a snowy forest or the vibrant cacophony of a tropical rainforest, nature's soundscapes are a testament to the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

SYMPHONIES + SOUNDSCAPES

surf, sand, beach
Martyn Stewart has spent his entire life aiming to bring NATURE’S VOICE to the world and over the course of 55 years he’s created one of the most important private collections of nature sounds that exists in the world, recording in over 50 countries and capturing over 3500 species of birds, countless insects, amphibians and mammals. From locations as diverse as the Okavango Delta and Alaska, but also environments that have more anthropogenic implications – such as  Chernobyl and the maelstrom of Hurricane Dorian. The collection currently contains over 30,000 hours of nature sounds and soundscapes, more than 97,000 individual sounds and as many intimate stories from the natural world. 

EXPLORE BY GROUP

birds on a wire

BIRD CALLS

EXAMPLES

The song of the Greater Flamingo is a haunting and melodious call that resonates across their wetland habitats. It is characterized by a series of deep, resonant honks and trumpet-like calls, often delivered in chorus by flocks of flamingos. The rhythmic nature of their calls adds to the mystique of these elegant birds as they gather in large groups, creating an unforgettable auditory experience in their coastal and inland habitats.

GREATER FLAMINGO

The song of the Blackbird is a rich and melodious warble, often heard during the early morning and evening hours. It consists of a series of clear, flute-like notes interspersed with trills and whistles, creating a distinctive and captivating sound. The Blackbird's song serves both as a territorial declaration and a courtship display, signaling its presence to potential mates and rivals alike.

BLACKBIRD

They emit a series of braying calls that are distinctive to their species. These calls are often described as sounding like a donkey's bray, hence the name "braying calls." They use these calls for communication within their colonies, especially during the breeding season, to establish territories, attract mates, and recognize one another.

PUNTA TOMBO PENGUINS

The call of an Oropendola bird is a distinctive, descending series of melodious whistles and gurgles, often resembling a cascading flute-like melody. It resonates through the tropical canopy, serving as a means of communication within their colonies and attracting mates during the breeding season.

OROPENDOLA

The song of a loon is a haunting and evocative wail that echoes across the lakes and waterways of their habitat. It consists of a series of long, mournful notes that rise and fall in pitch, creating a distinctive and ethereal sound.

LOONS

Characterised by the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore, the The call of a Gila Woodpecker is a rapid series of short, sharp notes that sound like "churr-churr-churr." It is often delivered in a rhythmic pattern and serves as a means of communication between individuals and for territorial defense within their desert habitat. 

GILIA WOODPECKER

Filled with a cacophony of bird and primate calls, the chirping of insects, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional roar of distant thunder or rainfall.

MUSICIAN WREN

Including the echo of bird calls and animal cries across rugged terrain, the rush of mountain streams or waterfalls, and the rustle of wind through alpine vegetation.

EASTERN WHIPBIRD

Featuring the rustling of leaves in the wind, the chirping of birds, the croaking of frogs, calls from large mammals and the occasional scurrying of small animals.

LYRE BIRD
monkeys

LAND MAMMALS

EXAMPLES

On the verge of extinction.  The white rhino has a low-frequency vocalization that resembles a deep grunt or rumble. It is often used for communication between individuals, particularly during interactions between mothers and calves or to establish dominance among males.

WHITE RHINO

The call of a coyote is a series of high-pitched yips, howls, and barks that can vary in pitch and intensity. It serves as a means of communication within their social groups and for marking territory, often heard during the evening and early morning hours. Coyote calls contribute to the eerie and wild ambiance of their habitats across North America.

COYOTE

The call of a cheetah is a distinctive series of vocalizations, including chirps, growls, and purrs, which are often used for communication between individuals or during courtship. The sounds of cheetah calls contribute to the dynamic and expressive nature of these magnificent big cats in their savanna habitats.

CHEETAH

The call of a howler monkey is a deep, guttural roar that can be heard echoing through the rainforests of Central and South America. It is one of the loudest calls produced by any land animal and serves as a means of communication between individuals and groups, helping to establish territory and coordinate movement.

HOWLER MONKEY

The iconic roar of the lion is a symbol of strength and majesty, resonating through the savannas and grasslands of Africa. A deep and powerful sound that can be heard from several miles away. It serves as a means of communication between pride members, establishing territory, and asserting dominance within their social hierarchy. 

LION

Their distinctive and haunting call is a series of melodious, ascending whoops and hoots that carry through the forest canopy, serving as territorial markers and are used by mated pairs to communicate and maintain contact with each other. It all adds to the enchanting atmosphere of the tropical rainforests where they dwell.

WHITE FACED GIBBON

The call of a bear cub is typically a series of soft, plaintive cries or mews that resemble those of a human baby. These calls serve as a means of communication with their mother, signaling distress or a need for attention and care. The gentle and endearing nature of the bear cub's calls evokes a sense of vulnerability and innocence in the wilderness.

BEAR CUB

The resonant and distinctive nature of the orangutan's call contributes to the rich auditory tapestry of their forest habitat.-a deep, guttural vocalization known as a long call, which can be heard over long distances in the dense rainforests of Southeast Asia. I

ORANGUTAN + HABITAT

The call of the wolf is a haunting and melodious howl that can be heard echoing through the forests and across the open landscapes of its territory. It serves as a means of communication between pack members, helping to coordinate hunting activities, reinforce social bonds, and establish territory boundaries.

WOLF
atlantic puffin

AQUATIC & MARINE

EXAMPLES

The call of a beluga whale is a complex mixture of whistles, clicks, and chirps, often referred to as "beluga chatter." These vocalizations serve as a means of communication between individuals and within social groups, aiding in navigation, foraging, and social interactions in their Arctic habitat.

BELUGA WHALE

The call of a humpback whale is a haunting and elaborate song consisting of diverse sequences of moans, cries, and whistles, lasting up to 20 minutes or more. These vocalizations are used primarily during the breeding season for communication, mating rituals, and possibly to establish territory, and are thought to be one of the most complex in the animal kingdom. The mesmerizing and evocative nature of the humpback whale's song adds to their mystique as majestic denizens of the ocean depths.

HUMPBACK WHALE

The call of the coral reef is a symphony of clicks, pops, and chirps produced by a diverse array of marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates. These sounds serve various purposes, such as communication, navigation, and defense, contributing to the vibrant and dynamic ecosystem of the reef. The underwater cacophony of coral reef sounds creates an immersive auditory experience that reflects the bustling activity and biodiversity of these marine habitats.

CORAL REEF

The call of an Atlantic puffin is a distinctive, high-pitched "grunting" sound, often described as a soft growl or a nasal "arrrr" noise. These vocalizations are used for communication between mates, as well as to establish territory and maintain contact within their colonies on coastal cliffs.

ATLANITC PUFFIN

The sound of a walrus is a deep, guttural bellow or roar, often likened to the sound of a bull or a cow. These vocalizations serve various purposes, including communication between individuals, establishing dominance, and maintaining social cohesion within their dense Arctic herds.

WALRUS

The call of a bearded seal is a series of deep, resonant "trills" or "pulsating" sounds, often described as a cross between a purr and a growl. These vocalizations are used primarily during the breeding season for communication between individuals, including attracting mates and maintaining contact within their Arctic habitat. 

BEARDED SEAL

The sound of an orca, also known as a killer whale, is a diverse repertoire of clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls that are used for communication and echolocation. Their vocalizations range from high-pitched squeals to deep, rumbling calls, conveying information about social interactions, hunting strategies, and navigation.

ORCA WHALE

The sound of a Weddell seal is a series of haunting and eerie vocalizations, often described as "trills" or "whistles," that echo through the icy waters of Antarctica. These calls serve as a means of communication between individuals, particularly during the breeding season, and may also help locate mates or establish territory under the ice.

WEDDEL SEAL

The sound of marine life creates a vibrant auditory landscape, reflecting the rich biodiversity and coastal beauty of New Zealand's marine ecosystems - a symphony of splashing waves, echoing calls of seabirds, and the occasional blow of whales or dolphins. Among these sounds, the gannets contribute with their distinctive harsh and raucous calls, punctuating the coastal atmosphere with their presence. 

MARINE LIFE - GANNETS IN NEW ZEALAND
flowers

INSECTS

EXAMPLES

The sound of crickets is a rhythmic chirping produced by the rubbing together of their wings, typically by males to attract females. It consists of a series of short, high-pitched notes that create a soothing and familiar background noise in the summer evenings. 

CRICKETS (AND WATER)

Cicadas' calls are a quintessential sound of summer in many regions.  The sound of a cicada is a loud, buzzing or rattling noise produced by the males to attract mates. It is often described as a continuous, high-pitched chirping that can reach deafening levels during peak activity.

CICADA CHORUS

This is a recording in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, the most common singing insects—grasshoppers, katydids, crickets, and cicadas—have begun their courtship calls in earnest and the air is filled from morning to night with their buzzes and chirps.

INSECT EVENINGS [SOUNDSCAPE]

Katydids have a distinctive and rhythmic series of chirps or clicks produced by rubbing their wings together, primarily by males to attract mates. These calls vary in frequency and intensity, creating a mesmerizing background noise in nocturnal environments.

KATYDID

In Yuba Pass, California, you can hear the buzzing, chirping, and clicking noises from numerous species. Common insect sounds in this area may come from crickets, grasshoppers, katydids, and various other types of insects. In this recording, the cicadas are the hero. 

INSECT MEADOW - CICADA'S IN YUBA PASS

The air is filled with a symphony of contrasting sounds. The haunting laughter of hyenas echoes through the darkness, punctuated by the rhythmic chirping of crickets and the buzzing of cicadas. Together, these sounds create an eerie yet vibrant ambiance, embodying the wild and dynamic nature of the African savanna at night.

HYAENA NIGHTSCAPE AND INSECTS 
turtle underwater

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

EXAMPLES

Defined by the eerie crisp silence of snow- covered landscapes, interspersed with the calls of arctic birds, the howling of wind, and the crunch of snow underfoot.

GECKOS

Often characterised by the granular stillness of vast expanses interrupted by occasional gusts of wind, the calls of desert-dwelling birds, and the rustle of dry vegetation.

AMAZONIAN TREE FROG

Envelops the listeners in a world of haunting whale calls, playful dolphin clicks, and the crackling of coral reefs, crafting a mesmerizing audio landscape beneath the waves.

RATTLE SNAKE

Marked by the whisper of tall grasses in the breeze, the buzzing of bees, the chirping of crickets, bird calls during the mating season and the occasional rustle of small creatures.

ALIGATOR

The Galapagos tortoise has a deep, guttural grunt or hiss, often emitted during moments of exertion or stress. These vocalizations are typically low in volume and serve as a means of communication within the tortoise's social group or to assert dominance. The unique and resonant nature of the Galapagos tortoise's calls adds to the ambiance of the islands' volcanic landscapes, where these iconic reptiles roam.

GALAPAGOS TORTOISE

The Indian frog is a distinctive and rhythmic chorus of croaks, trills, and chirps, echoing through the wetlands and forests of India. These vocalizations serve as a means of communication between individuals, particularly during the breeding season, to attract mates and establish territory.

INDIAN FROG
sun, sea, surf

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