African Soundscapes presents a unique selection of natural wildlife soundtracks
carefully chosen for your listening pleasure. Recorded in digital stereo, using a
specially developed technique that captures all the sounds of a natural atmosphere,
the soundscapes create the closest possible experience to actually being there.
Although no specific animal is a subject, interesting species include lion, hyaena,
jackal, hippo, wildebeest, zebra, African Fish Eagle and Pels Fishing Owl. Intentionally
recorded with all the natural background sounds included, they are best enjoyed at a low
volume, and are suitable for both wildlife appreciation, relaxation and meditation. The
descriptions below generally indicate the first occurrence of a species, or where the
sounds are more prominent for identification.
1. WEST COAST (7.00) play sample
Saldanha Bay. Easter Sunday. Across the bay the harbour is quiet as the cool morning mist
clears and the waves break gently on the shore. Swift Terns begin to lift off the beach,
calling as they fly back and forth. A Kelp Gull (3.10) calls evocatively, and a Hartlaub's
Gull (3.30) flies overhead . On the shore, Grey Plovers (2.10) whistle melodiously as they
walk by, and small flocks of Little Stints and Turnstones feed between the waves. Just
offshore, African Black Oystercatchers(3.30) call from some rocks.
2. FOREST ROBIN (7.14) play sample
A coastal forest near Umzinto, Natal. November. It is early and raining softly. A Brown
Robin sings sweetly from within the forest. The song is long and sustained. In the
background are many species, including the soft growl of Knysna Lourie(0.10), whistled
duet of Southern Boubou(0.20), 'ho-ho-ho..' of Narina Trogon(0.30), Blackeyed Bulbul
(1.00), Paradise Flycatcher(1.05), the liquid whistle of a Blackheaded Oriole(1.20),
'pop-pop-pop..' of Redfronted Tinkerbarbet(1.20), harsh staccato of Sqaretailed
Drongo(2.30), soft 'poo-poo..' whistle of Cape Batis(2.40), Blackbellied Starling(4.50),
harsh 'clack-clack' of Bleating Warbler (5.20), and high-pitched song of Olive
Sunbird(5.40).
3. FOREST VIEW (6.43) play sample
Looking over a coastal forest near Umzinto, Natal. January. An hour after dawn the forest
chorus has built up to a crescendo. The deep, slow, 'doo---doo---doo..' of the Tambourine
Dove keeps us company, while the high-pitched 'tee-tee' of a Longtailed Wagtail rings out
from a forest stream. The 'pop-pop-pop' of Redfronted Tinkerbarbet and soft warbled
whistle of Natal Robin are heard in the background, and the harsh staccato calls of
Squaretailed Drongo disturb the tranquility. A Goldentailed Woodpecker (0.55) screams,
a Knysna Lourie (1.00) calls gruffly, and a Bleating Warbler(1.30) starts its
'clack.clack..' call. Later, a Barthroated Apalis(2.05) calls, and a Forest
Weaver(2.30) sings briefly . The variety of a Southern Boubou (3.00,4.25,5.40)
is heard, Terrestrial Bulbuls (4.50) chatter softly, and Blackcollared Barbets
(5.10) duet.
4. PAFURI PORTRAIT (7.20) play sample
Kruger National Park, October. At the northern tip of the park is Pafuri, a birdwatcher's
mecca. The riverine forest along the Levubu river attracts a host of species. The
soundscape begins with Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Purplecrested Lourie and Heuglins
Robin all singing together. They are quickly followed by the melodious rattle of a
Yellowspotted Nicator (0.30) and the 'baby cry' of a Trumpeter Hornbill (0.40). A
Heuglins Robin (0.50) begins a duet, and is shouted down by a group of Natal Francolin
(1.00). A Tropical Boubou whistles(1.20), then croaks like a frog (1.50), and calls again
(4.50). The mellow descending 'do-do-do..' of the Burchells Coucal (1.20,5.40) and similar
Greenspotted Dove (1.50,3.00) are heard in the back-ground. Heuglin's Robin duets
throughout, and Orangebreasted Bush shrike calls again (6.40).
5. BUSHVELD MORNING (7.13) play sample
Kruger National Park, January. Napi Bush Camp is a private trails camp near Skukuza.
Situated on an almost dry river bed, the bush is heavier and the birds concentrate
around the small pools of water. A pair of Giant Eagle Owls are still calling well
after dawn, while the trill of the Woodland Kingfisher competes with the 'piet-my-vrou'
of the Redchested Cuckoo. In the background, Cape Turtle Doves keep up their incessant
'co-cooru', and the Greenspotted Dove (0.30) calls soothingly . The tranquility is
disturbed by Natal Francolin (0.50), and restored somewhat by the mournful whistle of
a Greyheaded Bush Shrike (2.00). Ground Hornbills duet softly in the distance (3.20).
6. SATARA SAVANNA (6.50) play sample
Kruger National Park, February. The savanna around Satara brings together a variety of
grassland and woodland species. The early morning sounds are characterised by the harsh
crow of Swainson's Francolin (0.40), and high pitched song of Sabota Larks (0.20). A
Wildebeest grunts, Zebras honk, and a nearby Blackbellied Korhaan (0.50, 3.50) 'gulps'
at extended intervals. In the background, Monotonous Larks(0.40) call sweetly, Rattling
Cisticolas (3.10) 'rattle', Burchell's Starlings (1.40) converse, and Cape Turtle and
Laughing Doves take turns.
7. KRUGER WATERSIDE (7.17) play sample
Kruger National Park, October. Early morning at a dam near Bateleur private camp.
The mopane bushveld is in bloom although the dam levels are still low. Impala wrestle
briefly on the far side and a group of Egyptian Geese chase one another, calling
raucously. A Whitefaced Duck (0.40) whistles, Blackwinged Stilts (0.45) and Threebanded
Plovers (1.00) call, and Hippos rumble from across the dam. As things quieten, a
Blackcrowned Tchagra whistles melodiously, while Hoopoe and Redeyed Dove call softly
from the trees. Along the shoreline, a Marsh Sandpiper (2.20) calls in alarm, a
Blacksmith Plover (3.00) calls briefly , a Whitefronted Plover (3.02) trills mellowly,
and African Pied wagtail sing sweetly (4.05). As the hippos rumble once more, a Water
Dikkop gives its beautiful crescendo whistle (3.10). A Wood Sandpiper calls as it takes
flight (4.40), and at last, the Fish Eagles call and duet (5.20).
8. OKAVANGO EVENING (7.17) play sample
Okavango, July. Early evening overlooking a small lagoon. A Barred Owl is already calling
as the frogs and crickets begin their nightly chorus. In the distance, a Fierynecked
Nightjar (0.30) begins its nightlong 'good lord deliver us', and Arrowmarked Babblers
(1.00) object for the last time. A second nightjar starts to answer the first (1.40),
this time closer. As the evening draws on, a Pels Fishing Owl (4.30) begins to boom its
foghorn-like call, and is answered distantly by a second bird. Also in the distance, hippo
rumble and splash in the water (6.10).
9. KALAHARI MOONLIGHT (7.21) play sample
Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. March. A moonlit night overlooking the waterhole outside
Nossob camp. The barking geckos are in full swing, and the 'k-k-k-krooo' of a Whitefaced
Owl is answered by the 'hoo-huu' of a Spotted Eagle Owl. A jackal howls as it walks across
the plain, and Spotted Dikkops(0.35) object to the disturbance. Not too close, a lion
(2.50) roars its disapproval. Later, a Pearlspotted Owl(4.50) calls briefly.
10. KRUGER NIGHT (7.16) play sample
Kruger National Park. November. It is the middle of a dark night outside Punda Maria camp.
The cicadas are churring and the 'prroop' of a Scops Owl is answered by the 'k-k-k-krooo'
of a Whitefaced Owl. A Barn Owl sreams briefly (0.30), and a hyaena howls in the distance.
The grumbling of a Giant Eagle Owl (1.20) is heard, and a Fierynecked Nightjar (2.20)
begins calling. Later, a hyaena(4.10) disturbs a lion, who in turn wakes the rest of the
pride.
Bird Sounds & Videos: African Soundscapes
