Since 2021, I have developed an interest in the sounds of birds and nature. It started with gradually distinguishing the different sounds of various birds, and now I am completely fascinated by them. One of my current life goals is to understand what they are communicating (I know that research suggests they establish territories and courtship, but looking at it from this perspective, human language can also be simplified into basic topics – their language is incredibly complex and I want to know what they say more in depth!). On the other hand, I am recording the sounds of the birds around me, from the UK to Asia to Taiwan, and use these bird sounds as musical elements in creating new compositions.

This recording was taken at dawn earlier this month in Savernake Forest, UK, capturing the sound of a Blackcap. Male Blackcaps have a black cap, while females have a brown cap. Blackcaps usually form lifelong pairs, and they mostly migrate to the UK from Spain or North Africa during the summer. Because of climate change, we can see more blackcaps in UK during winter now – those spend their summers in Germany. (I can’t help but envy birds for flying to different countries without needing visas or resident permit!)

By the end of the year, I plan to release my bird-inspired music as an album. Here is my work-in-progress track: Blackcap Bewitched. The music goes into a psychedelic journey after the initial piano melody.

The beautiful bird photos are taken by the bird photographer Sandra Palme http://www.britishbirdphotography.co.uk/