Time to tune-in to wildlife at Carlton Marshes

Time to tune-in to wildlife at Carlton Marshes

Nightingale - Chris Gomersall

This autumn, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, an exciting new opportunity to delve into the sounds of the marshes, comes to Carlton Marshes.

Many of us are used to seeing glorious representations of wildlife through the hundreds of stunning photographs that are shared online every day, but have you ever thought about looking at the natural world from a different viewpoint? Or perhaps that should be, listening from a different viewpoint? From melodious bird song, to squeaks and croaks, through crunches and rustles to whispers and sighs, nature is never quiet, but it can be a challenge to capture this natural symphony.

Mike Challis sound workshop

Sound artist Mike Challis

This autumn, sound artist Mike Challis joins us to unlock the secrets of recording the sounds of nature. Mike will be leading two sound recording workshops at Carlton Marshes, one for adults on 25th September, and a second for teenagers aged 13-18 years on 22nd October. Each workshop will focus on the skills and equipment needed for recording wildlife and other outdoor sounds. Participants will get the opportunity to listen to nature on the reserve using both budget and professional equipment, and Mike will be able to give advice on the equipment needed to make your own recordings, be that using a camera or a mobile phone.

Sound recording workshop

Sound recording workshop

To take advantage of these fantastic opportunities to explore wildlife like you never have before, book your place by visiting our events pages:

Adults Workshop

Teens Workshop

Mike Challis is a freelance sound artist, maker and educator whose work engages with the sounds of nature. He has documented the sounds of Carlton Marshes over the past five years and has made films and soundscapes using these sounds. The sound of a dawn chorus at Carlton Marshes was played on the beach at the Firstlight Festival in Lowestoft 2019 and a sunrise video featured in the 2020 Firstlight online festival. His sound installation Nightwire at Raveningham Sculpture Trail 2021 was the curator’s choice and came third in the public vote.