English: :This area was colonized by beavers about 10 years ago. The beavers built a dam that drowned a large quantity of black alder trees (Alnus glutinosa). Many trunks are still standing and have been occupied by woodpeckers.

I visited the area to observe the courtship display of the goldeneye. Goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula) are wood ducks, that nest in old woodpecker holes. As goldeneyes are larger than most woodpeckers, they depend on black woodpeckers (Dryocopus martius), which are the largest woodpeckers around here.

I found 4 goldeneyes involved in courtship display. I was able to approach them at around 30 metres without disturbing them. The (male) display is very spectacular and accompanied by a deep rumbling, rather untypical for ducks. This rumbling sound can be heard at 0:50.7 and 0:57.1.

While I was recording, a black woodpecker flew in and can be heard calling throughout the recording.

bird-seen:yes

playback-used:no

Common name: Soundscape

Type: call

Genus: Sonus

Species: naturalis

Location: Oberhavel (near Birkenwerder), Brandenburg

Country: Germany

Elevation: 40 m