Book Review: 'Sound Identification of Terrestrial Mammals of Britain & Ireland'

'Sound Identification of Terrestrial Mammals of Britain & Ireland'

By Neil Middleton 

Stuart Newson 

Huma Pearce 

With photography by Sandra Graham

The following, is my "Cliff notes version", of the back cover of the book:

A volume covering 42 species of terrestrial mammal. From the red deer to the pygmy shrew, from the pine marten to the hedgehog. Treated as a single field of study... This volume covers survey methods, the analysis of sound recordings, as well as software. The book includes species in Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

This book contains almost 300 figures in total, each species covered in detail, along with specific spectrogram examples.

In addition, this book allows the reader to access a (downloadable) sound library, with more than 250 recordings. I won’t go into too much detail about it here, but I will say that I found it to be a very valuable resource.

The authors have extensive experience and expertise in bioacoustics, as well as in the sound identification of mammals. 

They are also heavily involved in creating tools that use machine learning algorithms to identify mammal species from their calls (quite fascinating).

The image on the front cover of the book, is of a Red Deer stag (Cervus elaphus) calling (by Philippe Clement) 

The book was published November 14th 2023. It is 392 pages in length, with 328 figures, 16 colour photos, 43 maps, and 98 tables.

It weighs 1150 grams.

It arrived promptly (to me in New York) and well packaged. 

Check out the Pelagic Publishing page on it.

Physically, it’s a beautiful hardcover book; featuring high quality paper. You’ll see what I mean when you get your copy…

It’s also available on The NHBS site:

Chapter 1 – Introduction & Context 

This first chapter helps to lay out what the scope of the book is. As well as:

The differences between audible and ultrasonic sound, examples of the estimated populations of both small and large terrestrial mammals in the British Isles, some of the things surveyors can expect to encounter, classifications/the various orders of mammals in Britain and Ireland, and what influenced the authors decisions in choosing what would be covered in the book.

It may seem a bit vague, but what struck me about this chapter, is simply how very well laid out and well written it was.

Chapter 2 – Survey Equipment & Field Techniques

One of my favorite chapters in the book, it deals with The technology employed when performing mammal surveys. As always, I’m very keen on discussions of various kit. This chapter provides the reader with an introduction to: Gathering, and interpreting acoustic data; it includes a very useful chart organizing terrestrial mammals by which are (predominantly) audible, or ultrasonic. It covers: an overview of frequency and amplitude in relation to distance, external influences on the distance at which sound may be heard or recorded, recording quality, signal-to-noise ratio, and survey equipment.

Also, some very useful info regarding: how to make the most of video recordings, as well as a valuable chart on estimated distance in meters, for the recording of animals in the family Muridae. In this case: various mice, voles, shrews, and rats. The authors touched on the most helpful information regarding microphones and their use, and related equipment.

Chapter 3 - Analysis of Acoustic Recordings

Topics covered include: The various software applications currently available, ultrasonic sound, frequency/time, sound analysis (obviously), sound versus noise, attenuation, measurements, as well as filters and classifiers.

There is also a table depicting sound component shapes encountered during call analysis – this will be a valuable resource for ecologists!

Chapter 4 - The authors provide an overview, of the six chapters which follow (chapters five through 10).

Chapter 5 – Even-toed Ungulates / dear species and wild boar

Chapter 6 – Carnivores / Wildcat, fox, badger, otter, stoked, as well as other mysteries

Chapter 7 – Lagomorphs / Rabbit and hare species

Chapter 8 – Rodents (large) / squirrel species, and beaver

Chapter 9 – Rodents (small) / rat, mouse, vole, and dormouse species

Chapter 10 – Insectivores / hedgehog, mole, and shrew species

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter; since I’m very interested in moles and shrews. Unfortunately, hedgehogs are not native to the United States.

These six chapters did not disappoint! They were each filled with invaluable, modern-day resources on exactly what to expect, when targeting these various species for recording and sound analysis. 

Each chapter included:

• Wonderful tables, which could be understood at a glance.
• Screenshots of spectrograms created in Batsound software.
• QR codes relating to each species covered - they take you to the recorded sound files, and they work a treat!*
• Invaluable bits of information*

* I’m being intentionally vague here, so as not to give away too much!

This book contains such relevant and useful information on the species it covers – It would make a wonderful field guide. Unfortunately, I find it to be far too lovely of a book to think about taking into the field. So perhaps it would be better to refer to it, after a day or evening of recording in the field?

Appendix I - provides a neat glossary, which would be particularly useful to beginners in this field; as well as naturalists/hobbyists just starting out.

Appendix II - Provides data on fascinating case studies. Specifically, Dormice, Water Voles, Rats, and Shrews.

Things I liked:

• The fact that we wildlife sound recordists (both Pro & non-Pro) now have a handy reference for recording mammal sounds.
• The book is well laid out, well written, and full of invaluable resources.
• I like the way key points of interest, and useful data, are accessible at a glance.
• It's very thorough, sharing all the information I would want, regarding each species it covers.

Things I didn't like:

• I would have liked to see the technical/equipment details on which microphone & recorder was used, for many of the recordings. I say many of the recordings, because to have the gear details for all of the recordings wouldn't be practical.

First and foremost - This truly is a groundbreaking, and innovative book; being the first to tackle the splendid subject of: Recording the sounds of terrestrial mammals. It is for all intents and purposes the first, and only of its kind.

 

It may only cover (specific species of) Britain and Ireland...However, as many of us are aware: 

• Some of the species surveyed are located in other parts of the world.
• Most of the species recorded have similar (comparable) species, in other areas of the globe; ensuring that it will be useful to many.

There isn't much not to like about this book - It's certainly akin to a one-stop encyclopedia on recording terrestrial mammal sounds. 

In summary, if you work with terrestrial mammals – and most especially if it is in the British Isles or Ireland: then you simply must get a copy of this book!

Another interesting point, is that this book will be a very welcomed addition on the shelves of both professionals and hobbyists/naturalists. The excellent writing style, featured throughout - is both super-useful for an Ecologist; while being advantageous and easy to understand for a determined beginner. I say determined beginner, because it may be too technical for a complete novice.

I can't say it won't spark an interest in recording terrestrial mammals...

Note that Chapters 1 through 4 will definitely appeal to a large audience of readers. Nevertheless, right around the area of Chapter 5 and beyond, is where the book gets serious - Some might say more specifically technical.

All things considered, I can still affirm that the only prerequisite, is having an interest in the sounds which terrestrial mammals make. 

I'm confident in stating that folks such as myself, and the readers of this blog, will simply cherish this book. If you record the sounds of mammals, either as your vocation or avocation - It warrants looking into!

I hope to add some additional bits of information, reflections, thoughts and marginalia to this review going forward.

Until next time,

Happy bat detecting! Mammal recording!

Book Review: 'A Miscellany Of Bats' by M. Brock Fenton & Jens Rydell

'A Miscellany Of Bats' by M. Brock Fenton & Jens Rydell

This book has just recently been published (January 10, 2023) by Pelagic Publishing. It's currently available in paperback, and electronic format (Amazon Kindle).

The book is 256 pages in length; and it measures 24.4 X 17.0 X 1.91 Centimeters. 

As always, I advise you to shop around for: Best price, and delivery times. See link to NHBS below:

I was very anxious to receive my copy! Had I known that it was going to contain such stunning photographs, I would've been even more impatient!

In an effort to not divulge too much about the book itself, I will focus on the items which I found particularly interesting.

It arrived from the publisher's very well-packed & protected. For starters, when I first thumbed through it (just quickly, mind you) - I couldn't help but notice the amazing photos. Many of which are breathtaking. 

The other factor which becomes obvious after a short time, is that this book is meant to be read through - Not just to be referred to. In other words, it isn't strictly a (non-fiction) resource on bats.

Table of contents:

1. Introducing bats

This first chapter covers catching, IDing, marking & tagging bats (pages 5-7). Being a mothing enthusiast for many years myself - I was happy to learn that Jens Rydell started as a moth collector (page 19).

2.Bat wings and flight

Covers bat wing anatomy, and facts related to the way bats fly.

3. Seeing with sound

An excellent chapter, providing an easy to understand introduction to the ways bats use echolocation. Wonderfully presented.

4. Echolocation: a window onto bat behaviour

One of my favorite chapters - provides further details, and even more interesting information on echolocation. Also, a rare glimpse at what detectors look like in the early 1980's! Absolutely loved it!

5. What bats eat, part 1

There are facts and illustrations in this chapter which are simply amazing! The diet of bats is described, as well as the fascinating tactics they use, to acquire their food items of choice.

6.What bats eat, part 2

This chapter mostly deals with bats which eat items other than small insects. Similar to part 1, but in an even more concise and captivating manner.

7. Vampire bats

A slightly shorter chapter than those which preceded it, but rest assured - you will learn some facts which you were completely unaware of! You'll come to understand these enigmatic bats in a different light.

8. Where bats occur and where they roost

In this thorough, and wonderfully illustrated chapter - The reader will again learn many unique facts about where, and how bats select and use roost sites.

9. Social lives of bats

Here, the reader will learn about mating, reproduction, and the social behaviors of bats.

10. How bats use space

At 1st glance, the reader might think this chapter is about how bats use confined space(s) - In actuality, this is not the case. This chapter brings to light several unique facets of their habits (as discovered through research/study).

And I'll leave it that (as a surprise!).

11. Threats to bats

Here the authors cover all of the current threats to the survival of the world's bats. Beginning with natural threats, predators, et cetera; and moves on through to man-made threats: Such as wind farms, etc.

12. Bats and people

This was a concise but very enjoyable chapter. It covers the various relationships between bats and people throughout history. Fascinating and wonderful stuff!

13. Bats as beings

This last chapter, deals with the most fascinating facts - which scientists have learned about bats (relatively recently). The interesting and formally unknown activities of bat species, which recent research has brought to light.

I suppose what's most obvious about this book, is it's suitability and appeal to those with an interest in bats, at just about any level (except perhaps for young children?).
This book would be good for beginners/newcomers, students, as well as experts on bats.

I considered it a valuable book as soon as I saw that M. Brock Fenton was one of the authors - Having read several of his papers, and other examples of his work over several years. For anyone keenly interested in bats, not much more needs to be said about M. Brock Fenton.

I will take this opportunity, to point out - That Neil Middleton had the privilege of interviewing him, for The BatAbility Club (viewable to members only).

I must confess, that I was mostly ignorant of Jens Rydell's work until now. I was very sad to learn of his recent passing. The set-ups he used, to capture such awesome photos of bats in flight, were truly awe-inspiring. And the resulting photographs of bats in flight speak for themselves.

Again, this is a book which you'd sit down, read through; and enjoy! Chapters 3 and 4 essentially provide the reader with a very good basic understanding of: echolocation, the recording of bat calls, and spectrograms.

What I really liked:

The book was easy and pleasurable to read - I learned some very interesting facts about bats which I wasn't aware of.

It would also be a very useful addition to any public library.

What I would've liked to see:

Personally, I would have liked to have seen: More bat detectors, and more details about bat detectors... Because, well...I happen to have an obsession with bat detectors.

Honestly, beyond the preceding, partly tongue-in-cheek comment - I can't find any fault with this book. And would recommend it to anyone, with just about any level of existing knowledge of bats. This book will quickly bring someone up to speed on the fascinating natural history, and behaviour of bats.

The next review, will be of a bat recorder you've most likely never heard of—That's about to change... As with the TeensyBat 4.1, just recently reviewed here on the blog — it is also primarily a DIY detector. However, there is also an effort being made, which will allow Folks to purchase this detector already built, and flashed (programmed) and ready to go. That is about all I'm going to say about it for now. But I have been looking forward to reviewing it. Both for the BatAbility club as well as here on the blog, and sharing it with everyone!

Until next time,

Happy bat detecting!