Dawn chorus survey guide
How to configure Demeter for a dawn chorus survey: schedule settings, gain levels, microphone orientation, and what to expect from the recordings.
Resources
Practical support for deploying and using Wild Systems Lab equipment, plus guides to acoustic monitoring for new users.
Demeter support
Step-by-step instructions for unboxing, configuring, and deploying your Demeter recorder for the first time. Printed copy included in box.
Download PDFComplete reference documentation covering all configuration options, recording schedules, status codes, troubleshooting, and firmware update procedure.
Download PDFLatest stable firmware release for Demeter. Includes release notes and update instructions. Check version via LED status sequence or USB connection.
Download firmwareFull reference for the Demeter configuration file format — every parameter, valid values, and examples for common deployment scenarios.
View referenceQuick reference card for Demeter LED flash patterns. Print and laminate for field use.
Download reference cardCommon issues and solutions — SD card errors, clock drift, condensation, battery problems, and unexpected recording behaviour.
View guideDeployment
Practical advice for getting the most from your Demeter deployment in different environments and for different survey types.
How to configure Demeter for a dawn chorus survey: schedule settings, gain levels, microphone orientation, and what to expect from the recordings.
Configuration for bat recording: high-frequency sample rates, dusk-to-dawn scheduling, gain settings for different habitats, and minimum deployment durations for NRaPP-standard surveys.
How to configure and install the Wild Systems Lab solar charging kit for permanent or extended deployments. Covers panel positioning, cabling, and charge controller settings.
Standard operating procedure for the Wild Churchyard Project — site assessment, permissions, installation, SD card swaps, and recorder retrieval.
Background reading
Introductory guides for those new to acoustic wildlife recording.
What birdsong tells us about habitat quality. An introduction to acoustic monitoring for beginners — no prior knowledge needed.
Read guideHow bats use ultrasound for navigation and hunting, and how acoustic recorders detect and distinguish bat species.
Read guideA visual introduction to spectrograms — what the axes mean, how to spot bird and bat calls, and how automated detectors work.
Read guideFAQ
On continuous recording, typically 8–10 days depending on temperature and sample rate. With a standard dawn chorus duty cycle (2–3 hours per day), runtimes of 4–6 weeks are achievable. The solar kit extends this indefinitely in suitable conditions.
Yes. Demeter's wideband microphone captures frequencies up to 100+ kHz, covering the echolocation calls of all UK bat species. Configure Demeter to record through the night at 192 kHz or 256 kHz sample rate for bat surveys.
We use BirdNET and BirdNet-Analyser for bird detection, and Kaleidoscope Pro for bat analysis, with manual review using Audacity and Raven. Our analysis service includes all software — you just send the SD card.
The current Demeter uses an integrated microphone. We are developing a version with an external microphone connector for specialist applications. Contact us if this is a requirement for your deployment.
Yes. Demeter firmware is published under an MIT licence. The source code and documentation are available on our GitHub repository. We welcome contributions and issue reports from the community.