Corncrake spotted?

Simon from Bucks · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 09:48 AM

Last night - 2nd June, a warm summers night I believe I heard a corncrake. The unique rasping call, several times, then after about 10 minutes later, from a different location, the same rasping call. It came from a tall hay meadow with an abundance of wildflowers, but in North Bucks. Can this be true, is there anything else that makes this sound at 2.00am? Comments please!

RoyW · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 10:08 AM

Hi Simon,

It would be unusual - but certainly not impossible. Remember that Corncrakes are long distance migrants, and probably pass over (or through) Bucks each spring and autumn. There are occasional records of birds singing for short periods well outside of the current breeding range, and this one seems to be in suitable habitat.

As for anything that could sound like one, once you know the sound there is nothing that I can think of that is like it - if you haven't heard Corncrake before then there is (possibly) a chance that the sound could be confused with something like a Little Owl, a Quail, a distant dog barking or some sort of amphibian (in reality I don't think that this would be an easy mistake to make though!).

Roy.

Simon from Bucks · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 10:21 AM

Roy,
Thanks. I have listened to the RSPB sound recording to verify and I am sure it is a Corncrake. I did wonder if it might be some sort of cricket type insect, but given the distance between the two occasions I heard it, it was too far for an insect to travel I think - in that it was 300m in a different direction. As you say, the sound is pretty unmistakable and I am now certain it was a corncrake.
So I now have a big smile on my face!
Simon

Adam Cheeseman · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon from Bucks

Last night - 2nd June, a warm summers night I believe I heard a corncrake. The unique rasping call, several times, then after about 10 minutes later, from a different location, the same rasping call. It came from a tall hay meadow with an abundance of wildflowers, but in North Bucks. Can this be true, is there anything else that makes this sound at 2.00am? Comments please!

There was one that pitched up in a field near Berkshire for about a week last year. I heard it but never saw it. These are probably birds taking a break on migration to rest and feed up before they head off for the Scottish Islands. So it could very well be, especially calling at that time of the morning.

Cheers,

Adam