Veery at Dusk. June 21, 2025 at 8:30pm. Cayuta Lake outlet near Alpine, NY. © Lang Elliott. AI-gen Image

Note: The recording featured above is a "3D binaural soundscape". Please wear headphones for a profound listening experience that will make you think you're actually out there, immersed in the natural world!

In my never-ending quest to celebrate the songs of our native thrushes in spacious binaural sound, I search for soundscapes that offer a pleasing balance between the songs of the thrush and the background ambience. There is no end to the variation that one encounters in nature, but, at least to my ears, it is rare to find a mix where the background and song combine to create a truly magical listening experience.

Of all our thrushes, the Veery is quite unique, its enchanting song an ethereal downward spiral of flutey notes with an echoing ventriloquial quality. Poet Henry Vani Dyke (1952-1933) loved the Veery’s song so much that he wished it would be his final farewell:

“And when my light of life is low,
And heart and flesh are weary,
I fain would hear, before I go,
The wood-notes of the Veery.

At dusk, on June 21 2025, I stumbled upon a Veery soundscape that I feel qualifies as magical in its effect. I was ambling down a trail that follows the Cayuta Lake outlet near my home in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York. As I approached a small brook that descended from a steep slope and gently cascaded down to the inlet, I was struck by the pleasing balance of sound, with the tinkle of a small waterfall to the left, the gurgling whoosh of the descending brook to the right, and subtle bird songs in the distance. I set up my gear and began recording.

Almost immediately, a lone Veery began singing from the trees directly overhead, its delicate song blending beautifully with the water music. The Veery sang unabated for minutes on end and then gave vibrant call notes: veer ... veer … veer …veer. Soon he switched to another call variation, but then returned to song, finally falling silent and flying away to its roosting site for the night.

What Do You think?

Dear listeners, I am curious what you think about this recording. Given that you're listening with headphones and can appreciate the spacious binaural effect, I wonder if you find it pleasing, even magical? Does it transport you into wild nature and capture the essence of a Veery singing and calling at dusk before retiring for the night?

Please share your thoughts in the Comment Section below!

Naturally Yours,
Lang

ENJOY MORE BLOG POSTS (link to blog archive)