Join award winning composer and sound recordist Chris Watson for a dawn chorus field recording workshop at Holystone North Wood
In woodlands, copses and hedgerows across Britain during the blue/grey half light before sunrise in May and early June there is an outpouring of bird song, the dawn chorus. Join Chris Watson on location at Holystone from 0300h to experience and record the full arc of the dawn chorus from the post-midnight stillness to the first solo and the following rich chorus rolling out from the branches.
This will be followed by a (welcome) breakfast break and continue with a workshop at Harbottle Village Hall where Chris will describe and demonstrate his technique on capturing this unique event.
Participants are invited to bring their own recording equipment, although this is not necessary to take part in the workshop. Please ensure that you wrap up warm with plenty of layers and quiet fabric outer jackets/coats and bring a mat or something to sit on to prevent tick and ant bites.
Watson will be rigging the microphones the evening before and participants are encouraged to join as it is an important part of the recording process.
Meeting point and times: Holystone Forestry England car park (nearest postcode NE65 7AJ). Saturday 30th May, 6.30pm for the rigging of microphones. Sunday 31st May, 3am for the dawn chorus recording.
Location for breakfast and follow up indoor workshop on Sunday 31st May: Harbottle Village Hall (NE65 7DG).
