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According to the signs posted at Bow Creek Ecology Park there are over 140 species of plants, animals, and insects that inhabit this bit of land in-between the urban landscape of the Docklands.
Not only did I go on this walk to explore the ecology park, but I wanted to absorb and document the sights and sounds. Likewise, I wanted to map out a path for future walks in case I wanted to use this park for meditation walks.
The first thought I had when entering the park is that is it nestled in-between the DLR. It amazes me that nature can exist in spaces where there is high sound pollution and seemingly little room for wildlife with the bridges and buildings. However, I did not see wildlife other than flies and bees. Instead, I saw plants like wildflowers and lilypads in the pod.
The sound of insects is never a pleasant sound to me.
R. Murray Schafer, also known as the ‘father of soundscapes’ published his work in Tuning of the World and has influenced modern views of soundscapes since 1969. His concepts of hi-fi and lo-fi soundscapes offer a framework to understand why the sound of insects like bees and flies is often perceived as unpleasant.
In a hi-fi soundscape, characterized by clarity and distinct acoustic signals, natural sounds like bird songs or gentle water flows are easily discernible and can be soothing.
However, the sound of buzzing insects tends to inhabit a lo-fi soundscape, where the acoustic environment is cluttered and sounds overlap. The monotonous and persistent buzzing of bees and flies creates a dense and intrusive noise that blends into the background, making it difficult for the listener to focus on other sounds. This lack of clarity and the invasive nature of the buzzing disrupts the acoustic balance, leading to discomfort and irritation. Schafer’s theory helps explain that the unpleasantness arises not just from the sound itself but from its contribution to a lo-fi soundscape that overwhelms and distracts the listener.
Not to mention, I have a natural fear of insects. So, hearing their sounds makes me want to avoid those areas. I would image in the winter this problem would not be an issue.
Duration of walk: 20 minutes
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