Strange sounds from a reedbed

cragtops · #1 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 11:24 AM

Having just introduced myself on the Hello page, I needed to get this question poses as soon as I could.

Just wondered if anyone can clear this up for me? Spent this Saturday afternoon at Shapwick Heath (Somerset) and bursting from the depths of the reed cover was, what I can only describe as a cacophony of different carpentry sounds. A harsh creaking, rasping sort of nasal noise at that. I've heard Rail enough times to define their stuck pig squealing, this sounded totally different, unless of course I have never heard the Rail utter these sounds before. Does the Tufted duck have anything that's similar by any chance? There were plenty of those around at the time. The calls emanated from either the fringes of the reeds (but just out of visual recognition of their owners) or from deeper within. I wondered if I was listening to nesting birds squabbling.

My bird call/song/alarm recognition audio collection (and personal experience recall), doesn't seem to be throwing too much light on this for me.

Poor for a birdwatcher that I cant clarify the sound.

Any ideas folks?

Thanks

Deer Stalker · #2 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 11:33 AM

Water Rails do have a kind of low 'creaking' call as well as the squealing call.

denn · #3 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 11:50 AM

hello and welcome, have you ruled out reed warblers. ?

Adam Cheeseman · #4 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 01:45 PM

..or marsh frog?

cheers,

adam

cragtops · #5 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the replies. I need to get a recording of the sounds I reckon. The heath is synonymous with Rails and so I guess it could be something I have never heard before. Haven't ruled out Reed Warblers and I have to say there were plenty to see. May well have been the issuers.

cragtops · #6 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 01:50 PM

Of course! I never thought of the amphibians how dumb is that? Thanks.

ChrisJB · #7 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 02:44 PM

Shapwick has oodles of cetti's warblers. Could it have been one of these?

Regards, Chris

cannylad · #8 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 03:03 PM

Sedge Warbler sounds a likely candidate.

colincurry · #9 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 06:04 PM

I too was going to offer sedge warbler as they have a remarkable series of calls.

Colin

cragtops · #10 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 07:49 PM

Whatever it was in those reeds, there was definitely more than one of it

it's nigh on impossible to actually replicate the sound in speech and perhaps I haven't managed to find a decent comparison for it. I'm going through my CD's again to try and clarify it. Thanks again and please keep the ideas coming in.

Pj