Blickling - Chinese Bridge

HomeSounds is working in collaboration with the National Trust through its Riverlands Upper Bure project to bring the diverse acoustic habitats of the River Bure in Norfolk, UK, to new audiences. 

This will be achieved through the installation of a series of live-streaming microphones sited within the River Bure catchment on the Felbrigg and Blickling Estates. 

‘Through sensory activities we want people to build connections to nature that allow them to discover our diverse landscapes, to access and enjoy more of their local river, feeling a sense of belonging where everyone is welcome.’

National Trust

Acoustic habitats of the river, both above and below the waterline, will be live-streamed through the Locusonus Soundmap. Alongside the microphone installations will run a program of engagement encouraging audiences to become active in their environmental listening.

MICROPHONES:

There are two live streaming microphones installed at this location. The first, a stereo air microphone on the bank of the river; the second, a pair of hydrophones in the river itself.

LOCATION:

The microphones are sited on an upper section of the River Bure running through the Blickling Estate.

THE RIVER BURE:

‘There are just over 200 chalk-stream rivers around the world and the River Bure is one of them. Because there are so few of them, it makes the Bure all the more special. 

They are arguably some of our most beautiful rivers too when they’re healthy, with crystal-clear water from underground chalk springs making them the perfect sources of clean water and ideal habitats in which wildlife can thrive, which is why we need to protect them.

Rising in Melton Constable and passing through both the National Trust's Blickling and Felbrigg estates, the River Bure flows into the internationally important Norfolk Broads, which is Britain’s largest designated wetland and a haven for wildlife. 

Historically this river has supported life in the catchment by providing fertile land for farming, water meadows for grazing, power for milling and fisheries for commercial and recreational exploitation. Over time this has reduced the health of the river and the landscape it supports.’