Sounds of Maine

Peepers, Moose, Loons and Ocean Surf

Some of my favorite memories of Maine involve sounds. Water lapping on the shore, ocean surf crashing against the rocks, the symphony of sweet sounds made by peepers in the spring, the haunting laughter of a loon. I've collected a few of my favorites for you.

Loons

My favorite sound in the whole world is the haunting cry of the loon. The eerie tremelo and the warbling yodel remind me of summer nights spent at my parents' cottage on a Maine lake, lying in bed and listening for the loons' mournful calls to echo across the water. The sound still brings a smile to my face. Check out the haunting cry of a loon below.

Also, each spring you can enjoy 24-hour web cam coverage of a pair of nesting loons in midcoast Maine as they try to hatch and raise their new chicks.

Loon Wail and Other Common Loon Sounds

Peepers

Beginning around April 1 each year, the evening air is filled with THE sound of spring in Maine--Peepers.

Whether you're in Maine or "away," you can listen to the sweet sound, which has been described as "often mixed with other more grunty and throaty frog and toad notes, but unmistakable in its purposeful single note or lyrical rising trill."

Maine Peepers Sounds

Ocean Surf

When I lived away from Maine, the sound I missed most was the soothing sound of the tide surging and receding, surging and receding. Then I discovered the Southern Maine website at communitynetwork.com. I left the browser window open in the background and opened a new window while I worked online, and I could almost imagine the cool ocean breezes and rythmic surf as I sat in my air conditioned office in the sweltering humidity of Maryland. Although the communitynetwork.com Web site is no longer online, the YouTube video of the ocean surf at Wells Beach, Maine, offers the same effect:

Maine Ocean Surf

Moose

The moose is an ungainly creature much sought after by tourists and Maine natives alike. Moose safaris (read about mine), led by experienced Maine guides, have become very popular in Maine, and sightings are very likely. However, it's not as likely that you'll ever hear the indescribable sound of a moose's call, so I've scoured the Internet to find a moose sound file for you:

Moose

Buoy Bells Buoy bells mark the channels for boats to navigate safely. The sound of metal clanging against metal is a common sound in Maine:

Buoy Bells (click on the Play button at the top of the page to listen to the sound)