Please help me identify this bird call ....

ripface · #1 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 09:49 PM

Hi All,

Please could someone help me identify this bird call. We've lived in the same area of Aberdeenshire for 13 years and have never heard this one before. It's driving us up the wall. Please listen to the attached sound clip (QuickTime amr) and see if you can identify it!

The bird seems to call at various times throughout the day, morning and evening. It is a piercing single toned call which sounds like someone blowing through a piece of grass. It appears to be coming from a wooded area, high up in the trees. I've not yet managed to eyeball the bird, but you can certainly hear it!

Hope someone can help!

http://www.ckd.org.uk/john/Birdcall.amr

Cheers,
Ripface.

squishy · #2 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:11 AM

erm, something has gone very wrong with that webpage. i just get a stream of meaingless symbols

Hedge Witch · #3 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:27 AM

Yes, I get the same.

epops · #4 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 11:22 AM

i can hear it but dont know what it is sorry

wildherbalian85 · #5 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 03:29 PM

Bird of Prey?? Maybe a distant Red Kite

ripface · #6 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:24 PM

Hi all,

Thanks for the suggestions so far. My wife and I stood out in the woods for 15 mins tonight as the calls were particularly clear ... and spotted an owl circling. Some time later the calls started, and were answered by the owl we had seen.

I suspect that the shrill piercing calls are the fledgelings, and the answering calls from the parent. We got a better recording this time so would be interested if anyone can identify the owl.

http://www.ckd.org.uk/john/birdcall3.mp3

Converted to mp3 this time so hope this works for more peoples!

Cheers,
Ripface

Jonners · #7 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:39 PM

Sounds like a Tawny Owl to me, but not absolutely certain.

Hedgehoggy · #8 (**permalink**) 22-06-2009, 10:40 PM

Hi, when I listened to your first posted recording I thought it sounded very similar to the Tawnies in my garden at night (they have quite an extensive calling repertoire aside the usual ke-wick ke-woo), but I discounted a Tawny when you said it calls at various times throughout the day, morning and evening, as I've never heard the Tawnies calling during the day - the occasional times they've roosted in my garden during daylight they've remained very silent and still, but I imagine they could be vocal if they have young with them?

wildherbalian85 · #9 (**permalink**) 23-06-2009, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

Hi, when I listened to your first posted recording I thought it sounded very similar to the Tawnies in my garden at night (they have quite an extensive calling repertoire aside the usual ke-wick ke-woo), but I discounted a Tawny when you said it calls at various times throughout the day, morning and evening, as I've never heard the Tawnies calling during the day - the occasional times they've roosted in my garden during daylight they've remained very silent and still, but I imagine they could be vocal if they have young with them?

I know of some woods not too far me... there resides a Tawny and it has set up permanent home in these woods... i only ever go during the day to these woods and whenever i go i here the owl be it spring, summer autumn or early winter.