A Day in Bardia

A vibrant natural soundscape from
Bardia National Park in Nepal.

Recording Location: Bardia NP, Nepal
Habitat: Sal forest, riverine forest & grassland
Duration: 63 minutes (11 tracks)
Year of Release: 2014 © All rights reserved
Download Formats: mp3 & FLAC (44.1kHZ/16bit)

$15

Prices are in Australian dollars (AUD)

Format:

Clear

Album Description

Bardia National Park is the largest protected area in the Terai (lowland) region of Nepal. The sal and riverine forests, as well as open grasslands are home to around 53 species of mammal and over 400 bird species. This album was recorded in early spring, when many of the resident birds and newly-arrived migrant species start to breed, the forests are alive with song.

At first light, the calls of nocturnal birds, Large-tailed Nightjar and Asian Barred Owlet, slowly fade as the dawn chorus begins. Rich, fluty notes from the Black-hooded Oriole echo through the park, while a White-rumped Shama melodiously whistles to declare his territory. On track four, the roars from two Bengal Tigers reverberate in the sal forest, and if you listen carefully an elephant can be heard making a higher-pitched roar in the background. As the day progresses a light breeze picks up, and Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters glide above the grasslands, hawking for insects. In the shady riverine forest, bees hum & birds continue to sing on this warm spring day. The album concludes with the afternoon quietly descending into twilight, cuckoos still calling as owls and nightjars awaken.

Listen to a Sample

Recording Location

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors

Track Listing

1. First Light (2:40)

In the early morning darkness crickets call from the forest understorey and a Large-tailed Nightjar makes its distinctive chopping call. In the background and Indian Cuckoo whistles along with the occasional calls of Asian Barred Owlet and Indian Peafowl.

2. Dawn Chorus (5:20)

As the sun rises the forest springs to life with vibrant birdsong. The calls of Puff-throated Babbler, Striped Tit-Babbler, Common Tailorbird, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Yellow-throated Sparrow & Black-hooded Oriole can all be heard in this dawn chorus.

3. Morning Birdsong (4:50)

A brief shower falls on the riverside forest. While many birds seek shelter, a few still call including Rufous Treepie, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-hooded Oriole, Jungle Babbler, Common Iora & Common Myna. The rain pauses briefly for a few minutes then another shower sets in.

4. Tigers in the Sal Forest (3:34)

Later in the morning, the roars of two Bengal Tigers reverberate through the sal forest. Later in the track (at 1:40) if you listen closely you’ll hear the distant call of an Asian Elephant. At 2:55 a tiger growls from closer to the microphones to the right. Throughout the track Alexandrine Parakeet & Rose-ringed Parakeets call from perches high in the sal trees.

5. Liquid Voices (4:56)

This track features the lovely fluty calls of Black-hooded Oriole & the melodic phrases of White-rumped Shama. An Oriental Magpie Robin also sings occasionally in the background.

6. Late Morning Ambience (9:04)

Later in the morning, the soundscape is full and spacious. Insects buzz in the warm air and the alarm calls of Spotted Deer (Chital) are heard in the distance. Red-vented Bulbuls sing cheerfully and other birds such as Lineated Barbet, Black-rumped Flameback, Black-hooded Oriole, Common Iora & Greater Coucal can also be heard.

7. Gentle Breeze at Noon (6:32)

A light breeze blows through the forest at midday and the bird activity is still high.

8. Afternoon in the Riverine Forest (7:12)

The breeze soon eases off as a Lineated Barbet calls along with the harsh chatter of a Rufous Treepie. Later in the track a Cinereous Tit sings as well of a couple of Puff-throated Babblers.

9. Late Afternoon (4:00)

The sun lowers toward the horizon and the warm light casts long shadows through the forest. More calls from Cinereous Tit start this track and Red Junglefowl can be heard crowing nearby. Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher, Striped Tit-Babbler, Puff-throated Babbler & Lineated Barbet can also be heard.

10. Dusk Melodies (6:56)

Just before sunset, many small birds are active and calling including Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher, Common Iora, Common Tailorbird, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler. The two-note descending whistle of Puff-throated Babbler is heard throughout and is a common sound of Nepal’s terai forests. An Oriental Magpie Robin sings from a treetop in the background and towards the end of the track Spotted Dove, Greater Coucal & Common Hawk-Cuckoo call.

11. The Light Fades (8:48)

Crickets & other insects call as night falls. Common Hawk Cuckoos continue to call in the dim forest along with Greater Coucal. At darkness falls the calls of Large-tailed Nightjar, Asian Barred Owlet, Brown Hawk Owl, Oriental Scops-Owl can be heard.

Bird species heard on this album include:

Red Junglefowl, Large-tailed Nightjar, Asian Barred Owlet, Brown Hawk Owl, Oriental Scops-Owl, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Spotted Dove, Alexandrine Parakeet, Indian Cuckoo, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Black-rumped Flameback, Lineated Barbet, Puff-throated Babbler, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Jungle Babbler, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Common Iora, Yellow-throated Sparrow, Black-hooded Oriole, Rufous Treepie, Red-vented Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, White-rumped Shama, Oriental Magpie Robin, Common Tailorbird & Purple Sunbird.

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A Day in Bardia