The Essay: Sounds of Isolation

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The Essay: Sounds of Isolation: Island Isolation

Sounds of Isolation

Island Isolation

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, Sounds of Isolation, Island Isolation

A quest for nocturnal sounds at the pinnacle of an isolated sea rock as sirens sing below.

Lured first by sirens at its base, sound recordist Chris Watson vividly recalls his quest to capture the wild nocturnal cries at the pinnacle of an isolated sea rock.

For many of us, isolation is disconcerting and challenging, but for wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson, it is something he actively seeks, so he can fully immerse himself in a place and capture its unique sounds in his recordings. 

In the second of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls an exhausting and chilling climb to the pinnacle of Skellig Michael, an isolated rock which rises over 700ft out of the Atlantic Ocean off the south west coast of Ireland to capture the wailing cries of the inhabitants which return here at night under the cover of darkness.  

Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol.

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Chris Watson recalls his quests to record sound in some of nature's most isolated places.

In a series of five illustrated essays, wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson recalls his quests around the world to record in some of nature's most isolated places.

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