Want to know if that kookaburra is laughing at you or something else?
Ever wondered what the birds are talking about on your morning walk?
Cobramites will next month have the chance to answer these questions and experience more by learning how to identify the sounds of nature.
The Cobram Library will welcome author and nature sound recordist Andrew Skeoch on Thursday, February 8, at 5pm to discuss his book Deep Listening to Nature and how to identify species by calling and interpreting their communications.
Mr Skeoch is an educator, environmental thinker and one of Australia’s best-known nature sound recordists.
For 30 years, he has documented the sounds of wild environments around the planet and published more than 100 recordings featuring habitats from most continents through his label, Listening Earth.
His recordings are heard in the audio installation at Sydney Wildlife World and feature in the currently-touring Australian Geographic and Northern Pictures immersive installation Our Country.
He has contributed to feature films, including Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack to the film adaptation of Phillip Noyce’s Rabbit Proof Fence, Disney’s 2016 The Jungle Book remake, and the upcoming release Force of Nature with Eric Bana.
Mr Skeoch is an experienced public speaker, giving presentations to a range of audiences and delivering radio features, keynote addresses and a TEDx talk.
Mr Skeoch is president of the Australian Wildlife Sound Recording Group, a premier association of nature field recordists that encourages skills and passion for the practice in a new generation of enthusiasts.
During his visit, Mr Skeoch will guide attendees through hearing the languages of nature, developing auditory awareness, identifying species by ear and recognising behaviours and repertoire.
Mr Skeoch’s presentations are accompanied by vibrant recordings and spectrogram analysis showing the beauty of birdsong.
You’ll hear the environment around you in an entirely new way. If you would like to meet Mr Skeoch, to hear about his experiences writing his book and recording the sounds of nature, visit the Cobram Library on Thursday, February 8, at 5pm.
Please contact Goulburn Valley Libraries on 1300 374 765 or email cobram@gvlibraries.com.au if you would like to attend.
Copies of his book Deep Listening to Nature will be available to buy at the event.
If you can’t make it to the Cobram Library, Mr Skeoch will also visit the Tatura Library on February 8 at 12.30pm and the Violet Town Library on February 9 at 1.30pm.
For more information, contact Bronwyn Cole, program co-ordinator, Goulburn Valley Libraries on 1300 374 765 or by email at bronwync@gvlibraries.com.au