Haßberge Nature Park, Germany

Recorded by HP Beck Field Recordings, Haßberge Nature Park, Northern Franconia, Bavaria, Germany in the Stachel Forest Reserve, on 6 August 2024. The track feature sounds from leaves in the wind, internal rumbles, and sounds from trunk and root system. This recording was made with the Lom Geofón and omni mics with the ZoomF6. Quality, open headphones are recommended for listening at a mid or low level.

*Deadwood in the forest with a pair of omni microphones. Image: HP Beck*

Trees recorded in this forest soundscape include Fagus sylvatica (Rotbuche or European beech), Quercus robur (Stiel-Eiche or English Oak), and Acer pseudoplatanus (Berg Ahorn or Sycamore).

The special feature of this mountain top forest conservation area is its high proportion of standing and lying deadwood of old Oaks, Beeches, Sycamore maples, Spruces, Scots Oaks and Pines.

Listen to more of Haßberge Nature Park on YouTube

Stachel Forest Reserve, Haßberge Nature Park, Germany. Images: HP Beck

HP Beck Field Recordings on Instagram

“Let nature be nature”

These words echoed in my mind during my hike through the highlands of the Nature Park. My path often leads me to the “Stachel” Forest Reserve, and each visit fascinates and surprises me with its unique character. The core zone of this dense forest, with its gnarled oaks, ancient beeches, birches, maples, and pines, is accessible only on foot.

What makes this forest area exceptional is that it was left to its own devices many years ago, allowing it to naturally renaturalize. I know of few areas in the Nature Park where dead wood is as abundant as here. The large, old, and dead trees covering the forest floor are slowly decomposed by fungi and harsh weather, reintegrating into the natural cycle. This process gives rise to new life.

Standing deadwood provides habitats for many native species, including woodpeckers, wildcats, stag beetles, tawny owls, fire salamanders, and numerous birds and insects. Deadwood is teeming with life!

Everything is in motion, creating a symphony of sounds. The wind rustles through the green canopy, branches creak and snap, and the twisting of deadwood trees produces melodies and rhythms that only nature can orchestrate. What an auditory experience.

These areas are increasingly threatened by commercial exploitation and human-induced noise pollution. We must vigilantly protect them, as we’ve lost too many in the past. Despite these challenges, the magical sounds of nature can be heard.

—HP Beck