Top 5: Acoustic Recorders

Many animal groups use sound to communicate, whether this be for mating and courtship, navigation or general intraspecific communication. These sounds can come in the form of croaks, songs and calls, and are produced by a wide range of animal groups including amphibians, birds, mammals and insects.  

Acoustic recorders allow us to listen to these sounds, whether this be for surveying and monitoring, or just for enjoyment. This non-invasive monitoring method allows us to gather data from an environment without disturbing wildlife, and some recorders are designed to be extremely sensitive, enabling users to capture sound from great distances.  From these recordings we can identify species, analyse distribution, abundance, ecological community composition and even behaviour and can use the data to inform landscape management.  

Acoustic recorders are a valuable piece of kit for ecologists, naturalists or those eager to learn more about the animals in their garden, and we have a fantastic range of recorders to meet these needs. Here we have selected our top five acoustic recorders, highlighting key features of each device. 


#262796 Song Meter Micro 2

A popular, cost-effective option, the Song Meter Micro 2 is the smallest recorder in Wildlife Acoustic’s Song Meter range. The simple yet innovative design of this recorder allows for a lightweight and fully weatherproof device with an impressive 240-hour battery life. This recorder also features a built-in microphone, ideal for the detection of frogs, birds and other vocal species.  

  • Recording Format: 16-bit WAV 
  • Recording Bandwidth: 20Hz – 48,000Hz 
  • Recording Channels: One built-in 
  • Maximum sample rate: 96,000 Hz 
  • Memory Storage: 1 microSD card 
  • Battery Type: 4 AA batteries  
  • Weight: 195g with batteries 

 

#255421 Titley Chorus

This all-in-one recorder is designed to suit all acoustic surveying needs. The acoustic microphone is suitable for recording birds, frogs and mammals, and can also be equipped with a second ultrasonic microphone for the detection of bats. It is robust and waterproof (IP67 rating) and can record in mono acoustic, stereo acoustic, dual acoustic or ultrasonic for up to 300 hours. 

  • Frequency Range: 20Hz up to 140kHz 
  • Sampling Rates: 500, 320, 192, 96, 48, 44.1, 32, 22.05 ksps 
  • Audio Output: Frequency division (ultrasonic) and stereo reproduction (acoustic) through headphones 
  • Memory: 1 x SDHC/SDXC memory card (up to 1TB) 
  • Battery Type: 4 AA batteries 
  • Battery Life: Up to 40 nights ultrasonic / 300 hours acoustic 
  • Weight: 435g without batteries 

 

#262798 Song Meter Mini 2 Acoustic Recorder (AA Battery)

A compact and lightweight option, this acoustic recorder provides excellent recording quality while maintaining affordability. Building on the design of the original Song Meter Mini, this recorder features an improved battery life and weatherproof case design. It is suitable for the detection of birds, frogs and other vocal species, and a second microphone can be added for stereo recordings.  

  • Recording Format: 16-bit WAV 
  • Maximum sample rate: 96,000 Hz 
  • Recording Channels: One 
  • Memory Storage: 1 x SDHC/SDXC card 
  • Battery Type: 4x AA or 6x NiMH  
  • Weight: 290g with batteries 

 

#223481 Tascam DR-05X Portable Handheld Recorder 

With an easily accessible design, this recorder is straightforward and simple to use. A two second prerecord function and an auto record function ensure that a bird or bat call will never be missed, and the built-in omnidirectional microphones ensure high-quality and high resolution on this handheld recorder.  

 

 

  • Recording media: MicroSD card / microSDHC card / microSDXC card  
  • Number of channels: 2 (stereo) 
  • MP3 sampling frequency: 44.1kHz / 48kHz 
  • WAV sampling frequency: 44.1kHz / 48kHz / 96kHz 
  • Power: 2 x AA batteries 
  • Battery operation time: Alkaline: Approx 17.5 hours, Ni-Mh: Approx 15 hours 
  • Weight:165g (with batteries) 

 

#233684 Telinga PRO-X Parabolic Microphone System 

This economical package includes a Telinga MK3 microphone, handle and 22” folding dish, ensuring high-quality, focused audio. It is the ideal choice for recording wildlife, even over long distances, and its foldable design makes it easy to transport in field. 

 

  • Microphone frequency response: 60 – 20,000Hz
  • Equivalent noise level: 12dB 

 

Recommended Reading:

Sound Identification of Terrestrial Mammals of Britain and Ireland

A groundbreaking volume that analyses sound recordings of all 42 species of Britain’s terrestrial mammals.

 

 

 

The Handbook of Acoustic Bat Detection

An improved update of the German book, this is the go-to practical handbook on how to gather and analyse bat calls.

 

 

Top 5: Bat Detectors

Bats use echolocation, a series of high-pitched calls, to socialise, navigate their habitat and hunt for their prey. Most of these vocalisations are above the range of human hearing, so we require a bat detector to hear them. These devices allow us to monitor bat species by listening to their calls, observe their behaviours and feeding, and to identify species in a given area. Here we look at a selection of our bat detectors, highlighting the key points to consider when expanding your kit. 


#255963 Echo Meter Touch 2  

A popular, cost-effective option. This lightweight, full-spectrum recorder can be attached to your mobile device to listen to, view and record sounds while identifying the species encountered on the free app. For device compatibility, see the Wildlife Acoustics page 

  • Recording format: Full spectrum 
  • Listening mode: Heterodyne 
  • Max frequency: 128kHz 
  • Sample rate: 256 samples per second at 16 bits 

 

 

 

#171849 Magenta 5 

This entry-level detector has a very simple design catering to complete beginners. It allows users to listen in real time, with extended low frequency coverage which can also pick up insects and birds.  

  • Recording format: Heterodyne 
  • Max frequency: 130kHz 
  • Long battery life 
  • Manual tuning 

 

 

#194636 Elekon Batscanner 

An auto-scanning, heterodyne bat detector, the Elekon Batscanner allows for simple listening in real time. This detector features excellent audio performance with a digitally driven heterodyne converter.  

  • Recording format: Heterodyne 
  • Frequency range: 15–120kHz 
  • Up to 25 hours operating time 

 

 

#177263 Batbox Baton 

A cost-effective, frequency division detector, the Batbox Baton is simple and easy to use thanks to its auto-scanning, one-button operation. This detector also comes with BatScan software to analyse your recordings.  

  • Recording format: Heterodyne  
  • Frequency range: 20–120kHz 
  • Up to 30-hour battery life 

 

 

 

#245798 Anabat Scout 

Designed for transect surveys, this full-spectrum detector features a built-in GPS and a simple press-and-go design suitable for any level of experience. The Scout ensures excellent quality audio and recording, which can be analysed using the free Anabat Insight software.  

  • Recording format: Full spectrum 
  • Frequency range: 10–160 kHz 
  • Sampling rate: 320 ksps, 16 bit  
  • Up to 10 hours of battery life 

 

 

For more information on how to choose the right product, see our Buyers Guides 


Recommended reading:  

The Handbook of Acoustic Bat Detection 

September 2021 | Paperback

An in-depth handbook on how to gather and analyse bat calls. 

 

 

Acoustic Ecology of European Bats

June 2020 | Hardback

This unique, richly illustrated book offers an extensive reference on the acoustic identification of European bats. 

 

 

Top 5: Trail Cameras

Trail cameras can be extremely useful tools for ecologists and naturalists, enabling simple non-invasive monitoring of wildlife. Here we feature five of our most popular models, highlighting the key features of each for easy comparison. 

For more detailed information please read our Trail Cameras Buyers Guide. 


#256294 Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5  

Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5 trail camera

A good quality trail camera with fast trigger speed, this model is an excellent all-rounder.

Image quality: 24 mp
Video quality: 1920 x 1080p
Video length: Max 2 minutes
Glow: No glow
Trigger speed: 0.1-0.7 seconds
Recovery: 0.5 seconds
Flash range: 30 metres
Detection range: 24 metres
RADIANT 5 illumination technology

 

#258744 Spypoint Flex 

#258744 Spypoint Flex trail camera

An innovative low-glow trail camera with cellular transmission to transfer images to a mobile device.

Image quality: 33 mp
Video quality: 1920 x 1080p
Video length: Max 15 seconds
Glow: Low glow
Trigger speed: 0.3 seconds
Flash range: 30 metres
Detection range: 30 metres

 

 

#259714 Num’axes PIE1059 Trail Camera

Cost-effective and entry-level, the Num’axes PIE1059 is a robust, no-glow trail camera with great resolution.

Image quality: 32 mp
Video quality: 1920 x 1080p
Video length: Max 30 seconds
Glow: No glow
Trigger speed: 0.6 seconds
Flash range: 20 metres
Detection range: 20 metres
2″ colour screen

 

 

#256293 Browning Recon Force Elite HP5

A low-glow alternative to the Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5. This camera is a good all-rounder and is suitable for fast-moving animals.

Image quality: 24 mp
Video quality: 1920 x 1080p
Video length: Max 2 minutes
Glow: Low glow
Trigger speed: 0.1-0.7 seconds
Recovery: 0.5 seconds
Flash range: 39 metres
Detection range: 30 metres
RADIANT 5 illumination technology

 

#246930 Spypoint Solar-Dark Trail Camera

A super fast, no-glow model, this trail camera features a solar panel providing users with an extended battery life.

Image quality: 12 mp
Video quality: 1280 x 720p
Video length: Max 2 minutes
Glow: No glow
Trigger speed: 0.07 seconds
Flash range: 27 metres
Detection range: up to 33.5m
2″ colour screen

 

 

 


Recommended Reading:

#222466 Camera Trapping for Wildlife Research  

Paperback | June 2016

A guide to the use of camera trapping for most common ecological applications to wildlife research.

 

 

#227479 CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring 

Paperback | June 2016

A handbook on the use of CCTV in nature watching, conservation and ecological research.