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 its melodious, upbeat song on the edge of a garden. The bird switched between songposts several times during the recording. Common Cuckoo, 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 song of the Garden Warbler is one of the sure signs of summer. This bird favours gardens with lots of bushes. Redwing, Northern Lapwing, 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 to the 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 summer cottage in June. Common Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Common Pheasant, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit. 1'24"
05 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER #1 Muscicapa striata. 27 June 2001, 7.55am, Kaavi (Eastern Finland), Niinivaara.
A modest performance by a 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 in their 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 of a squirrel, sitting on the branch of a spruce on a cool autumn morning. 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 cheery melodious phrases on a riverbank in autumn. Great Spotted Woodpecker. 0'48"
09 BLUE TIT #1 Parus caeruleus. 16 October 2000, 12.20 pm, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
A Blue Tit quarrelling with 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 conversation on the branches of a birch tree in the garden on an autumn morning. 1'27"
11 MARSH TIT Parus palustris. 6 December 2000, 10.10 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Neulalahti.
The rare Marsh Tit singing its song near the bird-table in December, with the wind whispering in the background. 0'43"
12 HOUSE SPARROW #1 Passer domesticus. 6 January 1999, 9.15 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), Männistö.
Chirpy House Sparrows bustling about in the hedgerow on a winter morning. Magpie. 1'20"
13 COMMON BULLFINCH #1 Pyrrhula pyrrhula. 14 February 1999, 9.10 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
The clear, silvery song of the Common Bullfinch near the bird-table on a February morning. Common Crossbill, Willow Tit. 1'26"
14 TAWNY OWL Strix aluco. 21 February 1999, 12.35 am, Rautalampi (Eastern Finland).
A Tawny Owl male marking his territory near a village 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 Crows croaking 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 of Great Tits near the bird-table. Common Chaffinch, Common Bullfinch, Blue Tit. 1'29"
17 ROOK Corvus frugilegus. 22 April 2001, 7.20 am, Pori (South-Western Finland), Raatihuoneenpuisto.
The sounds of a Rook colony 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 chattering on 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 its cheery 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, 10.15 am, Kuopio (Eastern Finland), the bay of Hirvilahti.
The rarely heard 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 at the summer cottage. Common Bullfinch, Black-throated Diver, Fieldfare, Black Grouse, Eurasian Curlew, Common Chiffchaff, Siskin, Blue Tit, Common Chaffinch, Redwing, Common Gull, Wood Pigeon, 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 its song and a Magpie commenting on the performance. Common Chaffinch, 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 Warbler performing its delightful, faintly descending verse somewhere near 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 delightfully melodious 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-sawing song next to a lodge in the woods. Frog, Fieldfare, Common Chaffinch, 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 performing its own variation of the song of the Coal Tit. Also heard is the sound 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 its many-toned song from a tree branch. Common Chaffinch, Common Snipe. 1'59"
28 SOUNDSCAPE 30 May 2001, 4.05 am, Merikarvia (Western Finland), Lake Prinssijärvi.
Birds singing merrily behind the gentle green of the foliage on the edges of a garden. Common Rosefinch, 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 song of a Spotted Flycatcher searching for the correct notes. Also heard 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 chattering around the garden on a calm May morning. Great Tit, Common Pheasant, Barn Swallow. 1'32"
31 BLACKCAP / SOUNDSCAPE Sylvia atricapilla. 27 May 2001, 4.35 am, Pori (South-Western Finland), Kyläsaari.
Sounds from a grove-like garden in late May. Thrush Nightingale, Blue Tit, Wood Pigeon, 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 cheerful song of the Common Rosefinch is one of the characteristic sounds of 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-like notes 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 their song 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 Icterine Warblers singing upon returning from their migration. Common Cuckoo, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, Common Pheasant, 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 its migration, a Pied Flycatcher is singing by the nesting box. Hooded Crow, Redwing, Black Grouse, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, 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 song with 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 the garden. Eurasian Curlew, Wood Pigeon, Common Snipe, Fieldfare,Common Cuckoo, Whinchat, Common Rosefinch. 2'33"
Translated by Kirsi Komonen and Ewen Macdonald 2004