Just bought a Remembird recorder

[rolf]

Have not really thought too much about birdsong until recently, apart from enjoying it.

I recently bought a Remembird to aid in identification of a couple of birds I'd seen at Pingewood and I'm very pleased with it.

It records in MP3 format and has dedicated software with which to upload the recordings to your PC and edit/label your recordings.

It is not highly directional, but isn't intended to be, there is now a model to which can be connected a directional Microphone for more professional recording purposes. The standard model has a high gain microphone on the front and a small low gain microphone on the side, this can be used to make audio notes alongside the recordings.

It uses a variable time recording loop (user set), so that you can store calls retrospectively by pressing the record button, very useful as birds don't seem to sing to order.

Once I've got some time, I'll start recording and uploading some calls, have only done a couple so far. Here's a link to some calls I've recorded.

[ladylouise62]

What sort of a memory has it got? - I have visions of it closing down after a short while just as the birds get singing! ;-)

It sounds like a useful thing - however hard I try to remember exactly how a call goes to identify it when I get back home, I have forgotten before I've gone a hundred yards. I tried the other day and just stood and listened for a few minutes and tried to fix it into my head... and it was gone before I got home. Must be old age!

[rolf]

It has only a small amount of onboard memory, enought for 20 minutes or so of song, but takes MMC cards, have ordered a couple of half Gig units for it.

[Chocky]

Just realised I have one of these digital video cameras (cheepy Goodmans one) but it also records and plays back. It's mpeg 4 video I wiil have try it out and see how it performs.

[rolf]

They can be very useful for recording bird behaviour as well as song, I took some pictures of a pair of Dunnocks in courtship last year, but only a movie can truly show the strange tale fanning ritual.

Here's a Great Tit warning the next door's cat to keep away.

[Chocky]

How did you upload that file of the Great Tit ?
They have several different calls don't they?

[rolf]

Yes they do Chocky, have another MP3 of one singing in another thread, will try and get a complete set.

If you have an mp3 file, just upload it as an attachment, or to your webspace, then use the code [ mp3]file address here[ /mp3] without the spaces.

[Chocky]

I have 101 bird songs. They are on two CDs called 'Brittish bird songs'. They were free with The Independent news paper. Rather a lot. but if there is any one you particularly want I can. (I'll try)

[rolf]

No don't worry too much Chocky, as I want to try and keep the clips we have here as user recorded.

I have the British Birds 8.0 DVD on my PC and so have access to a song and call from most British species.

Also on the home page of garden-birds.co.uk, they have a bird list on the left hand side and audio clips with most of them, this facility is more so that members can accompany a picture of a bird they have taken with a call or song.

[Chocky]

That's what I thought. Any one can get hold of pre-recorded sounds but it's not the same achievment.

I can actually seperate any sound from a video I make on the digital camera. With a program I have. I made a film of the Willow warbler today, well I know where the bird is but I did get the sound not much of it. I'll try a better one tomorrow and get more of the sound

[rolf]

Try downloading Audacity Chocky, it will trim, filter and amplify the sounds.

http://sourceforge.net/project/downl...e_mirror=voxel

Then you can export them as wav or mp3 files.

[Chocky]

I'll do that.
I normaly use Arcsoft I have the whole lot oa arcsoft stuff.

[Chocky]

Ok I have down loaded it and will check it out after supper.
Thanks for that Rolf.

[rolf]

Here's my updated sound recording outfit, now with the Remembird-x, Audio-Technica shotgun microphone, Rycote pistol grip and Rode "dead cat" wind shield.

[Chocky]

Yes nice . I really need one for m cam-corder . One of them has a mic socket