Tasmania’s Ancient Rainforest

The cool, temperate rainforests of Tasmania are home to a rich variety of unique flora and fauna, with many species occurring nowhere else on Earth. Sadly, deforestation of old growth rainforests in Tasmania is an ongoing issue. Additionally, areas such as the Tarkine wilderness are under threat of a different type of exploitation, with mining companies seeking to plunder resources from below the ground.

This album was recorded in the mossy forests of Mount Field National Park, beginning with the dawn chorus at first light high on the mountain. As the morning settles, light rain moves in and a quieter forest ambience takes over, with the eerie wailing of a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo passing through the canopy.

See below for listening notes on the album, and a list of bird species that can be heard.

The album begins with first light in a temperate rainforest high on Mount Field. The calls of Crescent Honeyeater, Pink Robin, Grey Fantail and Tasmanian Thornbill fill the cool morning air. At 1:30 the clanging calls of a Black Currawong are first heard, an evocative sound of Tasmania’s forests and a feature of this album.

Around the 12 minute mark, as the morning brightens, the intense dawn chorus settles to a more relaxed soundscape as many birds disperse into the forest to feed. Black Currawongs continue to call, and Green Rosellas make occasional bell-like melodic phrases (at 14:32, 16:30 and 23:15). Later, at 24:08, the trills of a Pink Robin can be heard clearly.

Light rain starts to fall gently in the forest (from about 28:00) as Striated Pardalote and Crescent Honeyeater call. At 30:57 a Grey Shrikethrush sings briefly. In the background Olive Whistler, Tasmanian Scrubwren and Silvereye can be heard occasionally, along with the squawks of a distant Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

The rain eases from around 42:00, as a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo flies through the canopy with its eerie wailing. Grey Shrikethrush and Black Currawong call frequently over the next several minutes, followed by a tranquil forest ambience for the final seven minutes of the album.