ML179398

Media notes

Water birds on 1 acre of open water in otherwise ice covered Pleasant Lake. Open water is near small stream that runs in and out of Pleasant lake throughout the year, dependent on water levels. Approximately 300 birds in open area. Trumpeter Swan, Canada Geese, Mallards, and other waterfowl. One eagle (no sound) sits on the ice about 30 feet from the open water. Air temperature is 27 degrees F. Partly cloudy. Winds are fairly constant at 15 to 20 miles per hour. Ice covering lake near shore is 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Sound of ice cracking is common throughout recording. Microphone is placed stationary on ground at shoreline, at 1 foot above water (ice) level and 1 foot from water’s edge. Microphone is 150 to 200 feet from birds. Occasionally birds fly in and land, and take off and fly over recording location, and these changes are announced throughout recording.

Additional species

• Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
• Canada Goose Branta canadensis
• Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens