Comments on: Ubiquitous Human Noise

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:03:59 +0000

Want to add Northern Cardinal in the background, possibly a Brown Creeper (faint), is that a Lark Sparrow in there? Easter Pee-Wee and Catbird for sure. Mourning Dove. Ring-necked Pheasant! Wood Thrush? Not sure what the harsh raspy one is (another call of the RNP?) Is the warble a House Finch? Is that a Red-winged Blackbird ending the clip?

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:57:18 +0000

Very interesting. I’m not a fan of the sounds of nature being drowned out by our human sounds, but I have to admit that sometimes I wish the birds could be quieter in the wee hours in the spring!

Is there a listing of the birds in this clip and when they enter? I’m hearing American Robin, Field Sparrow (slightly different call than we hear here in the east), Black-capped Chickadee (or maybe Tufted Titmouse), Common Crow, and a few others that I should know but cannot place right now. Out of practice on my birding by ear…

By: Jennie

Jennie — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:53:23 +0000

Thanks, Kate. Noise pollution, just like light pollution, has a negative impact on our ability to enjoy the world around us. There was an interesting article about a year ago describing how urban birds adjust their songs to be heard over the city noise. They have to adjust to competd with low-frequency sounds, resulting in differences between the songs of urban birds and their country cousins. NPR reports on the study here: http://www.npr.org/2011/12/24/144102328/to-flirt-in-cities-birds-adjust-their-pitch

By: Dawn Puliafico

Dawn Puliafico — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:38:06 +0000

I recently went with two other birders looking for common nighthawks. We met in a mall parking lot overlooking a highway. I didn’t enjoy it much at all with all the high levels of noise, traffic, no scenery, no peace, no quiet. It helped me define what kind of a birder I am! I love the Wisconsin project. Recreating the soundscape from 1940. Wow. How things have changed. Sad. Wonder what it will be like in another 60 years….

This also reminds me of the first time I went home (small town Ohio) after moving to a city 4 miles outside of Boston. I had to adjust to the traffic noises when I moved to Boston, and when I went home again, the birds kept me awake!

By: FAITH CORNELL

FAITH CORNELL — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:37:19 +0000

Loved this. Grew up in rural Gibsonia. No place like quiet. I never thought about this so much lately but I will stand & listen today wherever I am and realize there is probably no quiet in my life where you just hear birds and beings. No wonder we all feel so stressful. So many things we are losing and don’t realize it until wondrous adventurers like you remind us of what we are losing and we must all remember the children deserve it also.