FlyTunes

What is the purpose of the project?
The aim of FlyTunes is to monitor biodiversity and study the impact of road noise on wildlife by analysing recordings made near roads in the UK. The goal is to uncover the hidden soundscape beneath human-made noise.

Do I need any special skills or knowledge to participate in this project?
No special skills or prior knowledge are required to participate. FlyTunes is designed for anyone interested in contributing to scientific research. The tutorial will guide you on how to identify and categorise the sounds in the audio clips.

Why do humans need to categorise the sounds? Why can't computers do this task?
Identifying and categorising sounds in complex audio recordings requires a level of nuanced human perception and contextual understanding that is challenging for computers. Recognising subtle variations in sounds, distinguishing between similar noises, and interpreting the context of the audio often requires the human ability to draw from diverse experiences and knowledge, making it a task better suited for human volunteers.

Why are the clips six seconds long?
We estimate that six seconds is the shortest length of clip you need to be able to recognise the source of the sounds you hear. The clips have been created so that each six second clip overlaps with the next for three seconds, i.e. the second half of one clip will also be the first half of another clip, to improve validity of the data.

How do I know if I’m doing this right?
If you follow the tutorial and guidelines, you can be confident that you are making a valuable contribution to the project. FlyTunes is designed to accommodate the collective input of multiple participants to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. Remember that you can discuss your observations with fellow participants on the platform to gain insights.

How much time do I need to dedicate to this project?
You can participate for as little or as much time as you want, listening to audio clips at your own pace. Every contribution will make a difference.

What types of sounds will I be identifying?
You will be identifying sounds in six second audio clips taken from 5-minute audio recordings near roads in the UK. We are asking you to categorise these sounds into road vehicles (e.g. cars and vans), other modes of transport (planes and trains), birds, humans (e.g. walking or talking), or anything else/I don’t know.

What if I’m unsure about a sound or category?
It’s okay not to be certain about every sound you hear. You can listen to each clip multiple times, and you can select multiple categories or admit when a sound stumps you. After all, each clip will be heard by more than one set of ears.

Is there a deadline for participating in the project?
There is no strict deadline. You can join FlyTunes at any time, but we may update the project page with specific timelines as the project progresses.

Will I receive feedback on my contributions?
Individual feedback will not be provided, however, it is the collective effort of all participants that makes your contribution valuable. We will share updates on the findings on the project page and on the FlyTunes webpage.

I enjoyed this. Are there other ways in which I can contribute to this research?
We have more activities available as part of the Nature Overheard programme, some that you can conveniently do from home and others that allow you to immerse yourself in nature. Visit the Nature Overheard page to explore the current activities.