John,
Another thought is, why not concentrate on single species studies
using a directional gun mic or parabolic reflector? Such studies
can be fascinating and are not dependent on an absolutely noise-free
environment. I know of people in Australia who have done excellent
studies of butcherbird song right in the middle of suburbia.
It is not worth getting stressed about noise, just change your
tactics. It is the only way to keep sane :-)
cheers,
Vicki
On 02/07/2012, at 10:57 PM, John Crockett wrote:
> Greetings all,
>
> Trying to record soundscapes around southern Vermont has become a
> very frustrating experience. I have hours of recordings, and only a
> few minutes without some kind of engine noise: mostly jets, but
> also prop planes, chainsaws, atvs, cars and trucks and motorcycles,
> skidders, and who knows what else. It appears that we are in a
> direct flight path for Logan airport in Boston, so that accounts
> for a lot of it. These are sounds I have effectively screened out
> in a lifetime of living here. I have always thought of this place
> as quiet. But turn on the recorder and suddenly all that engine
> noise comes to the fore. Not quiet at all.
>
> It makes no sense to me to get in my own noisy car and drive all
> over the countryside trying to find quiet places. How contradictory
> is that! I'm not having any luck finding quiet places anyway. This
> noise has become such a frustration that I am sorely tempted to
> give up recording altogether, having only barely begun.
>
> How have others dealt with this frustration? How have you worked
> around it? Anybody have an airplane noise canceling microphone?!
> Should we be hoping the price of oil goes through the roof?
>
> best wishes,
>
> John
>
> John Crockett
> Westminster, VT
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