Mystery Bird ID

[Dangerous Dan]

Is anyone up for a bit of a challenge?

I regularly camp out at a local wood and routinely hear a most peculiar sound. I'm assuming it's a bird and wondered if anyone can lend a hand identifying it?

I have never had a clear visual but do have a recording here

The call is best described as a 'mow mow mow' sound - mow as in how not mow as in low. The site is in South Yorkshire and is mostly Beech, Oak and Sycamore - no nearby water or dwellings. It almost sounds like a child's voice but unless said child has spent three days up a beech tree I'm happy to rule that out an option.

I've not heard it in recent months but has been there for the last two summers. The last time I recall hearing it was in October during daylight hours but I've not been back as frequently since the weather turned.

Finding an ID has almost turned into an obsession so for my sanity and those around me, any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

[ChrisJB]

Hats off to the person who nails the British wildlife species that makes that noise. It just sounds like someone up a tree messing about.

Regards, Chris

[Wild-Woman]

Well. Sounds quite 'human' to me.

[Dangerous Dan]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Hats off to the person who nails the British wildlife species that makes that noise. It just sounds like someone up a tree messing about.

Regards, Chris

Agreed, but given the location, times of day and visibility up into 'human accessible' parts of the tree I'm happy it's not - my hammock's anchored to the base of it so they'd have to get past me first.

As I say, three days is an awfully long time to sit up in a tree - especially after some pretty torrential rain

Besides, being there on nearly every visit for two years I would have thought the 'joke' would have worn quite thin by now.

[fairplay]

Dan,

As you simply say you have a recording 'here' then I gather this is 'it', to which I can only say 'pathetic'.

If on the other hand this is your interpretation of what it sounded like, then I have no idea.

Neil.

[Dangerous Dan]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Dan,

As you simply say you have a recording 'here' then I gather this is 'it', to which I can only say 'pathetic'.

If on the other hand this is your interpretation of what it sounded like, then I have no idea.

Neil.

Hmm, I think 'pathetic' is a bit strong but I should have stated this is indeed my - albeit disturbingly accurate - interpretation of the sound - I've posted elsewhere and some have struggled with the phonetics and the sound file was posted to aid matters.

The actual sound is very human - child-like and borderline creepy. The first couple of times I heard it I assumed it was in fact children but I've gone to great lengths to assure myself it isn't.

[rossy]

ok dan just listened and was it the 1st of april by any chance ? sounds very human to me . rossy. might be a beech mummer .

[the cobb]

Any chance it could be a grey squirrel? They used to nest at the bottom of my garden and they sound quite strange, although not sure it could be described as "Mow": it's normally quite harsh, more barking and quite repetitive.

[the cobb]

Me again. Posted last thread just going on the phonetic interpretation, without listening to the recording. Having now just listened to it, clearly not a squirrel and hard to reconcile it with any bird I have ever heard in Britain. Good luck

[Dangerous Dan]

Thanks Cobb, I think what you are describing is a squirrel distress call. It a very distinctive squeak/bark-like sound. While there are plenty of them around I doubt our caller is one of them.