Acoustic Birder
@acousticbirder.bsky.social
Timo Roeke | Avid birder | Ornithologist | Birdguide | Works for the Dutch branch of Birdlife International.
#Bioacoustics #Nocmig #Owls #Gulls #Birding #Birder
Kite optics ambassador 🦉
#Bioacoustics #Nocmig #Owls #Gulls #Birding #Birder
Kite optics ambassador 🦉
Absolutely one of my favorite seabirds. In the Netherlands, this is the most common eider species. Steller’s, Spectacled, and King Eiders are rare vagrants here. Sadly, over the past 12 years, this species has been declining rapidly — about 5% per year across the entire Wadden Sea.
(Image by Sovon)
(Image by Sovon)
October 31, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Absolutely one of my favorite seabirds. In the Netherlands, this is the most common eider species. Steller’s, Spectacled, and King Eiders are rare vagrants here. Sadly, over the past 12 years, this species has been declining rapidly — about 5% per year across the entire Wadden Sea.
(Image by Sovon)
(Image by Sovon)
We still know little about how bird migration patterns unfold across urban areas. I had a rare opportunity to observe from 100 metres up. The view was breathtaking, with visibility stretching over 20+ km. We spotted woodlarks, merlins, buzzards, peregrines and grey wagtails, and much more! #birding
October 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
We still know little about how bird migration patterns unfold across urban areas. I had a rare opportunity to observe from 100 metres up. The view was breathtaking, with visibility stretching over 20+ km. We spotted woodlarks, merlins, buzzards, peregrines and grey wagtails, and much more! #birding
What a week of birding on Texel! Deep in western Europe but it felt like a taste of Alaska — first tracking down a rare Bonaparte’s Gull, and then an unreal Spectacled Eider at less than 10 meters’ distance! A species that’s hard to find even in Alaska. Absolutely unforgettable!! #birding #birds
October 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM
At sunrise on the migration watchpoint this morning: a stunning and rare Black-winged Kite appeared, its pale grey wings glowing in the first light. Moments later, four majestic Cranes flew close overhead, their calls echoing in the quiet dawn sky. Pure autumn migration magic. #birding #migration
September 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
At sunrise on the migration watchpoint this morning: a stunning and rare Black-winged Kite appeared, its pale grey wings glowing in the first light. Moments later, four majestic Cranes flew close overhead, their calls echoing in the quiet dawn sky. Pure autumn migration magic. #birding #migration
Tested these binoculars today. @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social and Zeiss have teamed up to collect and donate used binoculars for Africa. Thanks to this initiative, local conservationists and bird monitors can continue their vital work protecting birds and habitats. #BirdConservation #Birding
August 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Tested these binoculars today. @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social and Zeiss have teamed up to collect and donate used binoculars for Africa. Thanks to this initiative, local conservationists and bird monitors can continue their vital work protecting birds and habitats. #BirdConservation #Birding
This weekend I finally managed to get outside again after weeks of being indoors. To my relief, I haven’t lost the touch. I came across a White-winged Tern and, as if that wasn’t enough, I joined a group of local birders just in time to witness a Short-toed Snake Eagle putting on a show! #lovelife
August 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
This weekend I finally managed to get outside again after weeks of being indoors. To my relief, I haven’t lost the touch. I came across a White-winged Tern and, as if that wasn’t enough, I joined a group of local birders just in time to witness a Short-toed Snake Eagle putting on a show! #lovelife
Just like a photographer edits images, a bioacoustician refines sound. See the difference: in the raw yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) recording, wind and noise distract. In the edited version, its clear, melodic song emerges—ideal for science and listening plessure.
#bioacoustics #birding
#bioacoustics #birding
May 16, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Just like a photographer edits images, a bioacoustician refines sound. See the difference: in the raw yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) recording, wind and noise distract. In the edited version, its clear, melodic song emerges—ideal for science and listening plessure.
#bioacoustics #birding
#bioacoustics #birding
My recording of the bluethroat (Luscinia svecica). It's closely related to the nightingale (L. megarhynchos), and shares its reputation for a melodic song. Males display the vivid blue patch on their throat while singing, often incorporating imitations of other bird species into their performance.
May 13, 2025 at 12:57 PM
My recording of the bluethroat (Luscinia svecica). It's closely related to the nightingale (L. megarhynchos), and shares its reputation for a melodic song. Males display the vivid blue patch on their throat while singing, often incorporating imitations of other bird species into their performance.
A few days ago, I recorded the European Nightjar’s hypnotic churring call with my MixPre-3 II and Telinga parabolic mic. You can also hear the sharp wing claps — made as the bird brings its wings together above its back in flight. This mysterious nocturnal bird faces local declines.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
May 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A few days ago, I recorded the European Nightjar’s hypnotic churring call with my MixPre-3 II and Telinga parabolic mic. You can also hear the sharp wing claps — made as the bird brings its wings together above its back in flight. This mysterious nocturnal bird faces local declines.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
Behold this natural masterpiece — a visual echo of the willow warbler’s song. A soft cascade of silvery notes, spiraling downward like leaves on a breeze. Gentle, melancholic — as if the forest itself were remembering, and letting go with a sigh.
Listen here: macaulaylibrary.org/asset/635356...
Listen here: macaulaylibrary.org/asset/635356...
May 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Behold this natural masterpiece — a visual echo of the willow warbler’s song. A soft cascade of silvery notes, spiraling downward like leaves on a breeze. Gentle, melancholic — as if the forest itself were remembering, and letting go with a sigh.
Listen here: macaulaylibrary.org/asset/635356...
Listen here: macaulaylibrary.org/asset/635356...
Settling in for a quiet evening with some good work related reads.
BirdLife, Vogels (Dutch magazine), and our new 10 year strategic plan @vogelbeschermingnl.bsky.social - plenty to reflect on.
Just the right mix of global urgency and local hope.
@birdlifeeurope.bsky.social #birding
BirdLife, Vogels (Dutch magazine), and our new 10 year strategic plan @vogelbeschermingnl.bsky.social - plenty to reflect on.
Just the right mix of global urgency and local hope.
@birdlifeeurope.bsky.social #birding
May 8, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Settling in for a quiet evening with some good work related reads.
BirdLife, Vogels (Dutch magazine), and our new 10 year strategic plan @vogelbeschermingnl.bsky.social - plenty to reflect on.
Just the right mix of global urgency and local hope.
@birdlifeeurope.bsky.social #birding
BirdLife, Vogels (Dutch magazine), and our new 10 year strategic plan @vogelbeschermingnl.bsky.social - plenty to reflect on.
Just the right mix of global urgency and local hope.
@birdlifeeurope.bsky.social #birding
You can now upload soundscapes to eBird! Upload your wetland ambiances full of birdsong.
@xeno-canto.bsky.social has supported this since 2013 — now eBird joins in.
It’s a great way to capture the acoustic atmosphere. Valuable for researchers. When does @observation.org join? #bioacoustics #bird
@xeno-canto.bsky.social has supported this since 2013 — now eBird joins in.
It’s a great way to capture the acoustic atmosphere. Valuable for researchers. When does @observation.org join? #bioacoustics #bird
May 1, 2025 at 7:36 AM
You can now upload soundscapes to eBird! Upload your wetland ambiances full of birdsong.
@xeno-canto.bsky.social has supported this since 2013 — now eBird joins in.
It’s a great way to capture the acoustic atmosphere. Valuable for researchers. When does @observation.org join? #bioacoustics #bird
@xeno-canto.bsky.social has supported this since 2013 — now eBird joins in.
It’s a great way to capture the acoustic atmosphere. Valuable for researchers. When does @observation.org join? #bioacoustics #bird
The European pied flycatcher has been back from the Sahel for two weeks. This species is appearing in a lot of places in the east of the Netherlands after months of absence. I was lucky enough to find the singing post of this male so I could record and photograph this bird undisturbed. #bioacoustics
April 30, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The European pied flycatcher has been back from the Sahel for two weeks. This species is appearing in a lot of places in the east of the Netherlands after months of absence. I was lucky enough to find the singing post of this male so I could record and photograph this bird undisturbed. #bioacoustics
Spring migration is in full swing! The last two weeks I was lucky enough to find some amazing species. 2 Caspian Terns, Black-winged Kite, several Cattle Egrets and Ospreys. And in terms of sound, the Nightingales have started again and I had a Stone Curlew over my house with NocMic. #birding
April 26, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Spring migration is in full swing! The last two weeks I was lucky enough to find some amazing species. 2 Caspian Terns, Black-winged Kite, several Cattle Egrets and Ospreys. And in terms of sound, the Nightingales have started again and I had a Stone Curlew over my house with NocMic. #birding
No longer repping Zeiss — I’ve made the switch to Kite Optics! I’m now using their new APC 60 ED scope with image stabilization, and it’s a joy! Even better? Profits from Kite go straight to BirdLife International. So every stable view is a small win for the birds too. #KiteOptics #BirdLife #APC60ED
April 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
No longer repping Zeiss — I’ve made the switch to Kite Optics! I’m now using their new APC 60 ED scope with image stabilization, and it’s a joy! Even better? Profits from Kite go straight to BirdLife International. So every stable view is a small win for the birds too. #KiteOptics #BirdLife #APC60ED
What an unexpected treat this morning! It had been 13 years since I last saw a twite in my region. A northern species rarely seen so far inland. Sadly, the nominate subspecies flavirostris is in decline. Exact causes remain unclear. But changes in agricultural practices likely play a role.
#birding
#birding
January 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
What an unexpected treat this morning! It had been 13 years since I last saw a twite in my region. A northern species rarely seen so far inland. Sadly, the nominate subspecies flavirostris is in decline. Exact causes remain unclear. But changes in agricultural practices likely play a role.
#birding
#birding
Had a crazy day on the north coast of the Netherlands. Despite the very strong wind. Purple sandpiper, black-legged kittiwake, snow buntings, long-tailed duck, rough-legged buzzard, knots, whooper swans and Bewick’s swans.
Just a few more months to enjoy these winter guests.
#birding
Just a few more months to enjoy these winter guests.
#birding
January 4, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Had a crazy day on the north coast of the Netherlands. Despite the very strong wind. Purple sandpiper, black-legged kittiwake, snow buntings, long-tailed duck, rough-legged buzzard, knots, whooper swans and Bewick’s swans.
Just a few more months to enjoy these winter guests.
#birding
Just a few more months to enjoy these winter guests.
#birding
Best wishes and a happy new year to you! This year I hope to provide you with lots of bird sounds, beautiful photos & knowledge.
Enjoy the birds you are watching and ask yourself: what do you I personally do to protect these birds? Or are you only enjoying their presence? Be the change they need!
Enjoy the birds you are watching and ask yourself: what do you I personally do to protect these birds? Or are you only enjoying their presence? Be the change they need!
January 1, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Best wishes and a happy new year to you! This year I hope to provide you with lots of bird sounds, beautiful photos & knowledge.
Enjoy the birds you are watching and ask yourself: what do you I personally do to protect these birds? Or are you only enjoying their presence? Be the change they need!
Enjoy the birds you are watching and ask yourself: what do you I personally do to protect these birds? Or are you only enjoying their presence? Be the change they need!
Winter birding is tough with strong winds and freezing temperatures but worth it! Our group of seven saw red-throated diver, black-throated diver, black-eared grebe, red-necked grebe, a lot of common goldeneyes, smews, little egret and tundra en whooper swans! Great views!
#birding #seabirdsunday
#birding #seabirdsunday
December 22, 2024 at 10:34 PM
Winter birding is tough with strong winds and freezing temperatures but worth it! Our group of seven saw red-throated diver, black-throated diver, black-eared grebe, red-necked grebe, a lot of common goldeneyes, smews, little egret and tundra en whooper swans! Great views!
#birding #seabirdsunday
#birding #seabirdsunday
My regional annual list now stands at 205 bird species. This morning I recorded a Hume's Leaf Warbler! A tiny bird from the mountains of Central Asia. Its call is a soft two component, high-pitched 'tsu-viis'. On a sonogram, it can be recognized as a H/M shape. Listen 🎶
#Birding #Bioacoustics
#Birding #Bioacoustics
December 18, 2024 at 2:21 PM
My regional annual list now stands at 205 bird species. This morning I recorded a Hume's Leaf Warbler! A tiny bird from the mountains of Central Asia. Its call is a soft two component, high-pitched 'tsu-viis'. On a sonogram, it can be recognized as a H/M shape. Listen 🎶
#Birding #Bioacoustics
#Birding #Bioacoustics
In my youth I never saw common cranes (Grus grus) in the Netherlands. When the first breeding pairs arrived I saw this magnificent species in spring and summer but today I see them foraging all year round. Part of the population stays behind because the winters are simply too mild.
#birding #crane
#birding #crane
December 14, 2024 at 12:07 PM
As birders we are fortunate to be presented with new books every year. Most of these are about identification by sight. Books about sounds are unfortunately still rare. All the more reason to buy: Identifying Migratory Birds by Sound in Britain and Europe by Stanislas Wroza (Helm, 2024).
#birding
#birding
December 12, 2024 at 9:07 AM
As birders we are fortunate to be presented with new books every year. Most of these are about identification by sight. Books about sounds are unfortunately still rare. All the more reason to buy: Identifying Migratory Birds by Sound in Britain and Europe by Stanislas Wroza (Helm, 2024).
#birding
#birding
Finally! After a 6 month long house renovation I am finally back online with #BirdNET. Lovely to have a look in the morning and evening to see what has flown calling over my house. This spring I had some rarities: 7 night #herons, 2 little #bittern and 20+ common #quails recordings.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
December 11, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Finally! After a 6 month long house renovation I am finally back online with #BirdNET. Lovely to have a look in the morning and evening to see what has flown calling over my house. This spring I had some rarities: 7 night #herons, 2 little #bittern and 20+ common #quails recordings.
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
Tits are vocal acrobats! Individuals build up large repertoires, with individual variation. Complex? Now include geographical variation, variation related to habitat and imitations of other species. Today I saw a great tit imitating the alarm call of a blackbird. Not bad at all!
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
December 8, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Tits are vocal acrobats! Individuals build up large repertoires, with individual variation. Complex? Now include geographical variation, variation related to habitat and imitations of other species. Today I saw a great tit imitating the alarm call of a blackbird. Not bad at all!
#bioacoustics
#bioacoustics
This morning I was woken up by 4 screaming magpies. Not the most beautiful sound in the world but a reason to get out of bed and take a look in the garden. There she was, a female sparrowhawk with a male blackbird in her claws. Despite the magpie's bullying, this lady took the time to enjoy her meal
December 7, 2024 at 7:31 PM
This morning I was woken up by 4 screaming magpies. Not the most beautiful sound in the world but a reason to get out of bed and take a look in the garden. There she was, a female sparrowhawk with a male blackbird in her claws. Despite the magpie's bullying, this lady took the time to enjoy her meal