The National Sound Archive Wildlife Section (previously known as BLOWS) is a vital resource for bioacoustics researchers, taxonomists, naturalists, teachers and the media, with recordings of over 8,000 species of birds and other animals worldwide. Every year c.3,000 recordings are donated by scores of recordists, although there is still a need to make the collections yet more comprehensive: 15% of the world's bird species are not represented in any archives or private sound collections. Listening, information, copying and sonograph services are available for researchers, as well as the journal Bioacoustics. The Archive is currently upgrading its facilities through a programme of researching permanent digital carriers and computerising all catalogue data. The long-term aim is to provide remote on-line access to the collections throughout Europe.
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