This web site is designed to help people learn more about the sounds of nature that they hear around them. Its focus is primarily on birds since they are usually the most frequently heard sounds, and to that end it will contain detailed descriptions of different species. Most of the recordings were made in Switzerland (where I live) and so the text often refers to the status or habits of that species in Switzerland, however the sounds are of Europe-wide or even Global value.
The Species Section is arranged systematically using the order of bird families found in most field guides (taxonomic order). By browsing the menu to the left, or clicking the links, different families and species of birds can be found and the individual species descriptions can be read and listened to simultaneously. The search function allows you to enter any part of the bird name - English or French common names, or the scientific name and find all the references to the word you entered.
For each species a range of the most commonly heard sounds are available as a streaming mp3 files - best listened to through headphones. There are also active sonograms so that the detailed pattern of the sounds can be both seen and heard, this helps to understand better the subtleties of the sounds and the visible patterns will assist learning.
The site is still growing and new species are added as I edit and write about the sounds in my archive, the Latest Updates section shows a list of the recent additions. In future there will also be sections that discuss the ethology of communication by sound and how it is used by birds and sections will describe different Swiss habitats and the birds which can be heard there.
Finally, an Audio Blog provides an account of recent interesting experiences in nature recording.
