
Midwife toads and tawny owls mating calls
A warm October evening in this region is when one is more likely to hear the midwife toad (Alytes) because, even though they can sing throughout the summer, here in Alentejo, the months between June and September are incredibly dry. They are near the water, at some distance from where the recorder is, but this allows for an easier way to appreciate the acoustics of this space, just like most birdsong during the day.
A surprising call also happens in this short segment: a thekla’s Lark (Galerida theklae) with its expressive call sings over the already established nocturnal soundscape with its many crickets, hinting what is still left from summer.
In the mid lower frequency region, a male tawny owl (strix aluco) displaying the mating call with a fast oscillating flute-like sound. If you pay focused attention, there is also an Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo Bubo) in the distance; it’s a single call.
A surprise visit of two boars rummaging; I believe it’s an adult and a young one, easy to recognise by their loud breathing and low grunts that I always heard at great distances.
The midwife toads will continue singing for many hours but we humans have a very different rhythm: at this time, many people are preparing dinner or hanging out for a drink before returning home, after a day of work.