California Quail make a lot of different sounds, but the easiest one to remember is a three-syllable song that sounds like they’re saying “Chi-ca-go, Chi-ca-go.”
S1-19 Listening for Biodiversity
The soundscape in this forest of White Alder is incredible! Just listen to the diversity of sounds. There’s the water in the creek, at least one species of insect, and eight or more species of bird. So much can be learned just by listening to a place!
S1-18 Saving Steelhead
Fisheries biologist David Hines is standing at the bank of Walker creek, near the town of Tomales. He’s here as part of an effort to help protect Steelhead trout. Steelhead used to be abundant along the Central California coast, but now their very existence here is threatened...
Ear to the Wild Soundscape Segments on KRCB Radio!
I’m excited to announce that Ear to the Wild has teamed up with KRCB radio in Sonoma County to produce a weekly segment which will feature soundscape recordings from around the north bay area. These short pieces (played between programs) will feature soundscape recordings from around the north bay area, and will air throughout each week. The first one starts tonight (10/30/22) and features Great-horned Owls! Tune in to listen at KRCB.org, or 104.9 FM if you’re in Sonoma County.
World Listening Day
Today is World Listening Day. What exactly is that? Here’s a video by Eve Payor and the Atlantic Center for the Arts Soundscape Field Station that might just answer that question for you. Put on some headphones, take 11 minutes to check it out, and then get out there and listen to the world right there where you are. As I write this I hear the wind in the trees through the open doors and windows of my house in Glen Ellen, CA. What do you hear?
R. Murray Schafer - who is the inspiration for this day - wrote “still the noise of the mind… that is the first task.” To listen intently requires that we first be silent, and still. Try it out; you might be surprised to find a symphony of sounds happening all around you.
Jack Hines - July 18th, 2020