Short answer
Yes. HydroVision AI can identify species from audio recordings — birdsong, frog calls, and other wildlife sounds. Hold your device steady, keep quiet, record a few seconds, and the AI tells you what you're hearing.
How to use it
From the Biodiversity Monitor, open HydroVision AI:
- Tap the HydroVision AI card to open the identification overlay
- Switch to the Audio tab (alongside the Image tab)
- Tap Record — the app listens through your device microphone
- Hold the phone steady, minimise wind noise, stay quiet yourself
- Record for 5–20 seconds. Longer isn't necessarily better — a clear 5-second clip beats a noisy 30-second one.
- Stop recording. The audio uploads and the AI analyses it.
- A suggestion appears. Accept it to pre-fill the form, or dismiss and try again.
What it's good at
- Clear territorial birdsong — robin, blackbird, song thrush, wren, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, etc.
- Distinctive frog choruses — common frog, natterjack, pool frog
- Some owls — tawny, little owl
- Some obvious wader and waterfowl calls — curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher
What it's less reliable at
- Flight calls versus song calls of the same species (different sounds, may confuse)
- Species pairs that sound similar (reed warbler / marsh warbler; willow warbler / chiffchaff)
- Very quiet, distant, or partial vocalisations
- Noisy environments (wind, roadside, multiple species overlapping)
- Non-vocal sounds (splashes, snaps) — it's tuned for calls and song
As with image ID: treat the result as a suggestion, not a verdict. Check the reference, check against what you're hearing, and record at a broader level if you're uncertain.
Tips for a good recording
- Get close if safely possible. Phone microphones are directional but they drop off fast.
- Wind is your enemy. If there's a breeze, cup the phone with your hand to shield the mic, or wait for a lull.
- Record the repeat. Most territorial song repeats — record a full phrase or two, not just a single note.
- Don't talk. The AI will happily suggest "Homo sapiens" if you do.
- Stay still. Fabric rustle on your jacket will drown out a warbler.
When audio ID beats image ID
- The bird is singing but hidden (leaves, reeds, high in canopy)
- Dawn chorus — multiple species, impossible to photo them all, but you can log several with sequential recordings
- Frog surveys at night — images are impossible, calls are diagnostic
- Acoustic monitoring generally — bats, crickets, orthoptera
Where to go next