Introduction to Terrestrial Bioacoustics

Bioacoustics monitoring is the process of using automated audio recording devices to passively capture information about wildlife species. In this course, participants will discover the acoustic physics and animal behavior principles behind bioacoustics. They will learn to plan acoustic surveys, program and deploy recording equipment, validate the quality of data returned from the field, build dataset management, and employ basic and advanced audio recording analysis techniques. This is a hands-on course where participants will learn the acoustic physics and animal behavior basics, plan surveys, prepare and deploy equipment, review field data for errors, build dataset management, and practice analysis techniques. Students will interact with a variety of devices and analysis software types with expert support.

Course objectives

• Provide background knowledge of acoustics physics and animal communication
• Learn how to design and plan bioacoustics surveys
• Learn field best practices to ensure safe and effective deployment of devices
• Develop good data management habits and systems
• Acquaint participants with acoustic analysis software with variety of price points and utilities
• Practice analysis with expert feedback and support

Who is this course for?

• Biologists looking to implement new technologies or expand offerings
• Project managers or industry environment leads looking to understand their technical staff or consultant’s recommendations
• Regulators trying to keep up to date on techniques used in project proposals
• Not-for-profit organizations trying to super-charge data collection with a small team or volunteer support
• Graduate students or early career scientists looking to improve their resumes

Preparation and Prerequisite Knowledge

Registrants are required to bring:

• Laptop with charging cable*
• An SD card reader
• A phone or tablet with Bluetooth connectivity*
• Headphones
• Weather-appropriate clothing**

* To participate registrants will need to download free audio software tools (e.g.  Audacity,  Kailedescope Lite, BirdNet Analyzer, configuration tools) to their laptops and tablet/phones before day one of the course. Detailed software and hardware requirements and download instructions will be provided a minimum of one week before the course offering.

** Though the offering is primarily indoors, participants will spend up to 2 hours outside during field deployment practice.

Prerequisite knowledge: Some basic knowledge or experience in auditory detection of animals (e.g. point counts, amphibian auditory surveys) or dataset management (e.g. data download, file management, excel use) is helpful but not required. 

What is included with the course?

• Three device types will be provided for hands-on use (AudioMoth, SongMeter mini, SM4FSBat) as well as other sample equipment such as song meter micro, titley scientific swift, SPL meter, multimeter, and/or focal recording equipment.
• Acoustics data files and pre-run analysis output files will be provided for practice, but participants are welcome to bring a small sample of their own files if they wish to.
• Registered students will receive the course slide-deck as a PDF after the course and helpful resources mentioned are linked on avianeco.com/resources.
• A certificate of completion will be provided to assist in claiming professional development credits.

Our Instructor:

Tyne Baker M.Sc. P.Biol, R.P.Bio Wildlife Biologist, Bioacoustician has been digitally eavesdropping on animals since 2009. Her Masters from the University of Windsor focused on Animal Communication and Behavioral Ecology. Through her career Tyne has developed acoustic monitoring programs for academics, NGOs and industry with projects ranging from local to international. Tyne teaches others to use remote detection tools through public, and internal course offerings, and academic or practical program support. As the owner of A/Vian Ecological Consulting her primary goal is to make technology accessible to conservation practitioners and support well-informed environmental decisions.