Help with nocturnal bird sound...

Clive_S · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 07:17 PM

Hi All,

I'm hoping someone can help ID this weird noise we've been hearing it over our garden intermittently for the last few weeks, usually about 11-12pm (that's when the dogs go out!). There are sometimes two, in apparent competition and the sounds move around in the sky overhead. We're in rural Norfolk.

I've posted a recording here, excuse the poor quality but they were moving off by the time I got my recording gear working...

http://www.goldswift.co.uk/sound/Mystery.mp3

BTW I think I just managed to see a dumpy, short-winged brown bird when the security light went on last time.

Any help would be much appreciated but for the moment they are nicknamed the 'Gremlins'.

Thanks,

Clive

Alan · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 07:21 PM

Hello clive,

Sounds like a Nightjar to me!

Mark43 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Hello clive,

Sounds like a Nightjar to me!

And me..........although i have never heard one............it's the same call on my Collins eguide

nightshade · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 07:28 PM

It is either a nightjar or someone throwing frogs! I will go with the nightjar!

Birders · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 08:44 PM

Definitely Nightjar... but you say it's been heard for the last few weeks? That would be rather early for Nightjars, which are migrants from Africa..

Gill Catton · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 08:56 PM

Sounds more like a Barn Owl to me, - maybe the bird actually seen was a red herring (close relation to the little brown job) nightjars aren't really small or dumpy though I suppose descriptions are subjective, I don't hear Nightjars that regularly but the one's I've heard had a much more drawn out churr. Though so maybe they make these shortened chirrups from time to time.

pheonix · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 09:11 PM

I would have said barn owl too. i have only heard nightjars a couple of times and i dont really remember them sounding like this.

Gill Catton · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 09:19 PM

Listen to this for comparison, the tone is slightly different but the duration of the burst and the type of sound is similar.
http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/sounds/barn_owl.mp3

pheonix · #9 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 09:23 PM

i cant get this link, apparantly i'm 'FORBIDEN'!!

cherrybee · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pheonix

i cant get this link, apparantly i'm 'FORBIDEN'!!

I was forbidden too

pheonix · #11 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 09:28 PM

ive just had a listen to the two birds on the rspb website, the nightjar definatly sounds different - more pingy like a cicada in a way, the barn owl is obviously recorded close up an not what you'd hear out in the field.
im still saying barn owl though

Gill Catton · #12 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrybee

I was forbidden too

Oh I thought I might stuff up the link, not very good at that sort of thing

.
If you type the following into the address line though you can easily find barnowl on the site it's in the list on the left of the page.
http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/

Mark43 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 10:05 PM

This is going to turn into another "warbler" type thread i can see it now.

Ooh i likes a mystery

Gill Catton · #14 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 10:10 PM

yeah except this is a barn owl... he he he
probably............................

Polecat · #15 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 10:57 PM

another warbler thread eh? lol .....I'll get me coat...
I'm a bit basic with my computer and can't listen to that sound

...... however....I would go with a barn owl or short earred owl. The shorties here can call almost the same as the barn and send my dogs wild crazy when out on a midnight walk. Their call that alarms my dogs is a relativley very loud and short 2-tone burst repeated about every 15secs as they fly.
Mind...snipe can be quite alarming too!

Clive_S · #16 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 07:19 AM

Thanks for all the ideas, the consensus seems to be a Barnie. I'll go and search for some other calls and see if I can match it up!

The view I had was fleeting admittedly but seemed to be flying much higher than BO's usually do - but I suppose I see them hunting mostly.

Clive

life through a lens · #17 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive_S

I'll go and search for some other calls and see if I can match it up!

You could try these:

Barn Own
Nightjar

Couldn't find one for a short eared owl though.

Olly

Jonny · #18 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 12:55 PM

Well I am glad that others have disagreed with it being a nightjar, because I did not think it was one, but because everyone at first was saying nightjar, I just assumed I was wrong. We get nightjars round here every year in the forest and I would of thought that I could recognise that clicking churring sound anywhere, but when I listened to that recording, nightjar did not come to mind.............Jon

nightshade · #19 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 05:17 PM

How about keep the dogs in,use a wide angle lense and fire off the flash in the direction of the noise,see what you get

Clive_S · #20 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

How about keep the dogs in,use a wide angle lense and fire off the flash in the direction of the noise,see what you get

It's an idea. I've been poised with one of those powerful lamps for the last few days but due to ***'s law, the noises have ceased at the moment!

fbcpmike · #21 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by life through a lens

You could try these:
Barn Own
Nightjar
Couldn't find one for a short eared owl though.
Olly

Sorry but I disagree about it being an Owl (but I am open to persuasion).
When I heard the original recording in the thread starter, I thought Nightjar and I have heard these in the wild. All of the Owl recordings I have heard so far are 'screechy', quite unlike the original's regular warble.

Gill Catton · #22 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbcpmike

Sorry but I disagree about it being an Owl (but I am open to persuasion).
When I heard the original recording in the thread starter, I thought Nightjar and I have heard these in the wild. All of the Owl recordings I have heard so far are 'screechy', quite unlike the original's regular warble.

Did you check out the one I posted a rubbish link to? That one is pretty close. I can't find a nightjar sound that sounds like the clip either and I've only ever heard a long dawn out regular churr rather than a seris of short bursts like this, but I have heard Barn owl sounding pretty similar - though I agree the vocal range of a BO is more extensive than I had realised as i hunted around for clips, mine was the only one I found that sounded right I wa amazed at the variety of sounds! - not that I've checked out the other links on this thread yet (works computer won't let me!!)

pheonix · #23 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 05:02 PM

i have to say im not to sure its a barn owl now either, bur im not convinced its a nightjar either??
is there anything else it could be?

Jonny · #24 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 07:19 PM

You don't live anywhere near Boddie do you Clive ?. He has a habit of getting up in the night and screeching..................Jon

cherrybee · #25 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny

You don't live anywhere near Boddie do you Clive ?. He has a habit of getting up in the night and screeching..................Jon

You lot tonight are giving me the giggles and I am getting strange looks from hubby

Cant wait to see Boddies reply to this