Rycote meets Telinga (DIY Sewing Skills)

This week I've been in conversation with Rycote - if you haven't heard of them, next time you watch the tennis on TV, check out the labeles on all of the microphones setup around the court. Those big fluffy 'dead cats' are products that Rycote specialise in. I started buying Rycote windshields and also microphone handles a couple years ago and also purchase my first 'blimp' modular system that completely surrounded my shotgun microphone and they worked so well! The wind noise was drastically improved. So much so, that I had a big shock when trying out my new Microphone from a company called Telinga. You may have heard already but I've recently made the jump to a Parabolic Dish setup instead of a shotgun Microphone. The dish enables me to record at much greater distances and with natural amplification rather than digital gain. This will get me better recordings theoritcally in conjunction with a higher quality mic. The problem is though, a dish also gathers a lot of wind which of course isn't good for the microphone. 

In light of this, I contacted Rycote to see if they had a product that could improve the wind reduction with this setup. They didn't actually have anything manufactured other than what I had already purchased (small fleece) but instead of leaving me completely helpless they were kind enough to send me a large off cut piece of fur!! 

They even sent it special delivery for free! I was very impressed and I've already put the fur to good use. I'm certainly not brilliant at sewing but check this out :)  

(Folded twice over)

Cut 3 inches around dish size  

Stitched the fur to my existing fleece  

Folded and stitched the edges for a nice seamless edging  

Finished!  

I'm really looking forward to trying it out in the field so see how much the fur reduces the wind noise. I'm sure it will make a difference and I'm hoping that it is enough to get me through a winters birding on the mountain tops.  

Massive thanks again Rycote and Telinga for their great customer service.  

I even have enough fur to make one for my smaller compact dish which I'll also use for grasshopper and crickets in the summer. 

many thanks 

Telinga Microphone Test

Trying out my new Telinga Microphone today for the first time in the field, really loving the warm tones in the mid-high range which is exactly what I need it for. That said, the microphone records really flat accurate lows/low mids so for those quiet background days I'll be happy to leave recordings unfiltered. Some really interesting sounds happening in this mashup, firstly starting off with what I think is a Meadow Grasshopper, secondly a sound I've never experienced before but it's actually 2 Hoverflies having a 'sing off' with their wings. I assume that this is a way of showing a female how strong their wings by demonstrating how high pitched the sound they can make. This is for sure,Natural selection in its subtleties. Lastly, a dark bush cricket with an unidentified 'cricket' sound which I'll be looking into asap.

Trying out my new Telinga Microphone today for the first time in the field, really loving the warm tones in the mid-high range which is exactly what I need it for. That said, the microphone records really flat accurate lows/low mids so for those quiet background days I'll be happy to leave recordings unfiltered. Some really interesting sounds happening in this mashup, firstly starting off with what I think is a Meadow Grasshopper, secondly a sound I've never experienced before but it's actually 2 Hoverflies having a 'sing off' with their wings. I assume that this is a way of showing a female how strong their wings by demonstrating how high pitched the sound they can make. This is for sure,Natural selection in its subtleties. Lastly, a dark bush cricket with an unidentified 'cricket' sound which I'll be looking into asap.

In other news, we had such an amazing flyby from a Juvi Goshawk today! Also had a Migrant Hawker in the same area along with plenty of Grasshopper activity. Stopped off at Llandegfedd in the evening to see 3 Kingfishers hunting on the pump stream and starting to get flocks of Goosander coming into the bay late in the evening just before it gets dark

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Rhythm of Birdsong Reboot

While stuck indoors ill this week, I spent a lot of hours catching up behind the computer. In doing so I've re-designed by 'Rhythm of Birdsong' project website and also designed a new logo for the project. (I think I'll be re-designing my own logo after the time I spent on this one). 

Since graduation I have purposely put ROB on a back burner so that I could spend my time developing other aspects of my carreer in order to gain myself a Job in conservation. Well, I'm happy to say at this point that I have got myself a part-time Job in conservation: teaching students how to record wildlife for the Gwent Wildlife Trust. 

While teaching others how to record birds, it has reminded me how much of a passion I have for sound. It is that reason that I've decided to bring ROB back and my commitment is supported by a heavy investement! I'll be investing in a new Telinga Parabolic Microphone setup that is known world wide for its high quality microphones/parabola's.