Sounds of Perch Lake: The Mesmerizing Persistence of the Eastern Whip-poor-will
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Welcome to the 13th episode of the Nature is my Jam Podcast. This week we are, once again, on the shores of Perch Lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. I attended an event last week to see two authors, Jerry Dennis and Dave Dempsey, speak about their love of the Great Lakes and the challenges we could face in the years to come. Fresh water is becoming scarce and the popularity of our state as a great place to live, is drawing people from all over the country to move here.
The great Sheri McWhirter guided the conversation while Jerry Dennis and Dave Dempsey talked about their latest books
The topic gave me pause, and I thought about the Eastern Whip-poor-will and how I have heard it less and less over the years. I can vividly remember countless nights listening to the Whip-poor-will as I fell asleep and their song being part of a quintessential Michigan summer. Still a presence in Northern Michigan, their numbers seem to fade as each year passes…… or we just can’t hear them over the din of human progress.
That thought remained me throughout the weekend and I thought it would be a good idea to record the Eastern Whip-poor-will this week for the podcast. Of course, there are no guarantees when setting out to find a specific species, but luck was in our favor this week. This episode finds us on the shores of Perch Lake, one of my favorite birding locations.
As I was setting up my recorder and microphone, a Great Egret silently hunting in the grasses and coming closer to where I was setting up startled me. I quickly grabbed my camera and cursed myself for not bringing a longer lens, but I got this photo. I was excited to record my first ever sighting of this beautiful bird, but had to get back to the task at hand as the light was fading quickly. As the Great Egret flew off to the other side of the lake, I pressed record and hiked back to my Jeep with high hopes for the next morning.
My first sighting of a Great Egret - so happy to finally record this beautiful bird in my log book
You might agree we had success in capturing the whip-poor-will and I’m happy to share this recording with you. I selected a section of the recording where the song of this amazing bird is prominent and focused. You will also hear crickets, frogs and owls, but they are the supporting act for the star attraction.
As always, thank you for listening and I appreciate your support.
Recording Summary:
Date and Time: 8/30/2022 | 3:15 AM
Location: Grand Traverse County, Michigan, USA
Landscape/Feature: Perch Lake
Conditions: Night, Light to Gusty Breeze, Clear Skies, Mild Temps
Recording Device: Zoom F6 Field Recorder
Microphone(s): Audio Technica BP 4025
Digital Audio Workstation: Adobe Audition
