Sunrise over the surf with two surfboards laid on the sand

Sounds of Bald Head

Every recording here was made on the island: one microphone, no music, no editing tricks. Headphones recommended.

Sunrise and sunset, island time

The centerpiece

Skip between chapters or let the whole morning play.

Post-sunrise at the bird sanctuary

0:00 / 28:40

Nearly twenty-nine unbroken minutes of the maritime forest waking up. Put it on, close your eyes, and be there.Recorded near the bird sanctuary, early morning after sunrise.

Short listens

The sanctuary wakes up

0:00 / 3:39

Dawn at the sanctuary outlook: layered birdsong and a bullfrog calling across the water.Recorded at the bird sanctuary outlook at dawn.

Before the sun

0:00 / 2:19

The island in the blue half hour before sunrise, when the birds are just clearing their throats.Recorded pre-dawn.

The ferry crossing

0:00 / 2:01

Engine hum, wake, and gulls: the sound of leaving the mainland behind.Recorded aboard the passenger ferry from Deep Point Marina.

Sanctuary, short

0:00 / 0:51

A brief listen at the sanctuary outlook.Recorded at the bird sanctuary outlook.

A cart passes at dusk

0:00 / 0:44

No engines. Just tires on the road, a quiet electric hum, and the evening insects carrying on.Recorded at dusk as a golf cart passed.

Sanctuary, brief

0:00 / 0:38

A half-minute of sanctuary sound.Recorded at the bird sanctuary outlook.

Captions describe what the recordist heard; species and exact locations are field notes pending the owner's confirmation. Recordings never autoplay, and nothing on this page makes a sound until you press play.