Tonight live from Sweden: Birdsong

May 12, 2023 2:54 AM

The livestream of the moose migration in a particular part of Sweden is over for this year, although a 3-hour highlights program is available for viewing worldwide. But there is time to listen to the fourth annual live broadcast of birdsong on Sveriges Radio P1 channel (Swedish) TODAY. The broadcast from six different Swedish locations begins at 00:02 Swedish time on Saturday morning, May 13, and ends at 07:55 am. For those in the US, the broadcast begins today, Friday May 12, at 3:02 pm Pacific and 6:02 pm Eastern. This link will let you chose and listen to P1. Warning: There will be Swedish commentary for much of the program, but I hear that there will be birdsong only between 4 am to 5 am Swedish time (7pm Pacific/10 pm Eastern). Enjoy!
posted by Bella Donna (12 comments total)

This is cool, in my morning fog I saw the post and thought it said "moss migration", which really deserves a livestream.
posted by jeremias at 5:59 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

I will never not be excited for birds! And birds from a place I've never been! I wonder how different it is from the dawn chorus I hear in the morning . . . .
posted by carrioncomfort at 6:04 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

One of my favorite ambient listening traditions. Hooray!
posted by mykescipark at 7:43 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

What a lovely idea! Thank you!
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 9:33 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

Tonight's national news confirmed that there will be NO commentary during the 4 am to 5 am (Swedish time) period of the broadcast.

While I have no audio of moss moving, NPR did a report recently on "a quaking aspen so colossal it has a name — Pando, which is Latin for 'I spread' " and the work done by sound artist Jeff Rice to capture the sound of its trembling leaves, bark, and landscape.

Stanford's School of Humanities & Science maintains a live audio feed from the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve for fans and potential fans of California birdsong. (Hat tip to my bird-loving buddy in the East Bay who sent me this link.)
posted by Bella Donna at 11:18 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]

Thanks, Bella Donna! Just the thing to listen to while I get ready for tomorrow's World Series of Birding! The team I'm on in is non-competitive. We're just a bunch of friends and acquaintances looking for an excuse to spend the day birding starting at 4:30 am.
posted by mollweide at 11:25 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

I don't speak Swedish but I find the commentary soothing when played in the background at a low volume when I am working. As a native English speaker and having learned German later in life, it is tantalizingly familiar yet strange. Thanks!
posted by moonbiter at 12:08 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]

As someone who has become aware of the incredible diversity of bird calls in our unremarkable suburban garden through running BirdNET-Pi, I'll be listening in tonight
posted by scruss at 1:21 PM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]

Thanks for the additional links, much appreciated! I learned Swedish later in life and enjoy the rare moments when I see something written in German and recognize one or two words. Thanks for your comment, moonbiter!
posted by Bella Donna at 2:18 PM on May 12, 2023

I listened to the broadcast on an overcast day with the wind blowing through the apartment. Between the breeze, the birds, and the murmuring Swedish voices, I (unintentionally) had the most delicious nap ever. This was delightful, Bella Donna! Thank you!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 7:23 PM on May 12, 2023 [3 favorites]

Aren’t Swedish moose called elk? (Whereas an ‘elk’ in North America is a different beast.)
posted by Phanx at 2:18 AM on May 13, 2023

Probably. If my Swedish were better I could have avoided this issue!
posted by Bella Donna at 12:26 PM on May 15, 2023