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