Automated acoustic monitoring of birds living in reed zones at the lake Parstein (Nort-eastern Brandenburg)

In spring 2006 at the lake Parstein we carried out a pilot study for a monitoring of birds based on acoustic pattern recognition software. Our goal is to obtain from recordings of the acoustic environment reliable information on the occurence of certain bird species and to use this method for long term monitoring. From April until June 2006 more then 200 hours of multichannel recordings were provided. The observation was focussed on the registration of nocturnal birds (bitterns, rails). Our study has shown that bioacoustics methods could be effectively used for surveys of birds.

The main results are.
(1) The sensitivity of the acoustic equipment is no lower then human hearing. Every bird heard by an human observer could be detected on the recordings.
(2) The optimal place for recordings of reed inhabitants is at the surface of the lake (e.g. an platform or recording from a boat).
(3) We recommend four-channel-recordings using cardioic microphones. This allows to obtain information on the number of calling individuals.
(4) Little bittern could be detected over larger distances then previously estimated.
(5) A simple acoustic pattern detection algorithm was developed for the calls of the great bittern which allows to detect the calls even in presence of strong noise.
(6) We proposed a GPS-supported approach for the survey of birds in reed zones.
(7) The study has shown that at least in the near future the use of bioacoustic pattern regocnition software will be most effective when providing off-line analysis.

By further development of equipment and software automated bioacoustic monitoring will become a very effective tool for monitoring birds and other vocalising animals.