bakers, jack's telling on himself, he can't use a digital recorder for that reason.............it would be on all the time.........
yankee, yes, mine does activate/ pick up the sound of the bees at the hive, woodenware, frames, being moved around, and the birds.........
i don't find it annoying, if you leave it on (which i have done) you don't have to fast forward so much to get to your note taking, hope this helps.
i always check the batteries and carry extras, but i don't have the hives you do.