Help to identify bird from call if possible

[Deb London]

This clip includes a snipe, which I presume is the 'squeaky window cleaning' sound. There is a bird call at the start and end of this clip, much more 'tremolo' in nature.

JungleWalk - Links to thousands of animal multimedia sites

Can someone please help me ID this bird, and if it isn't British, suggest a British bird that sounds similar? I heard a call like this at Brent Reservoir and I would like to identify it.

Thank you!

[faz]

the more tremalow is the snipe call

[Deb London]

Really faz, thanks! There were 22 snipe counted there a few days earlier (hence I was trying to learn the call). So it figures that I heard them yesterday.

I know they are common, but I do like snipe, and now I think I know where they hide.

Cheers.

[RoyW]

The sound at the start and end of the recording you linked is a Snipe 'drumming'. This sound is not a call, it is made by the wind passing through the tail (the outer tail feathers are held out slightly) as the Snipe dives.
Since this sound, and the 'tick-tock' call in the middle part of the recording are both part of breeding/territorial display, it is highly unlikely that you will hear these at Brent reservoir (Snipe used to breed in the London area, but this would be a highly unusual occurence these days), and it certainly wouldn't be at this time of year.

Typically the only sounds that you do here from Snipe when they are not breeding are the short, scraping "aaack" call that they most often give when flushed ( XC64624 Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) | sound on xeno-canto/europe - with Mallard at start and booming Bittern in background!).


As for what you heard yesterday, could it have been the wind causing something to vibrate and make a sound similar to drumming snipe? I'm not sure what else to suggest!

[faz]

Originally Posted by RoyW

The sound at the start and end of the recording you linked is a Snipe 'drumming'. This sound is not a call, it is made by the wind passing through the tail (the outer tail feathers are held out slightly) as the Snipe dives.
Since this sound, and the 'tick-tock' call in the middle part of the recording are both part of breeding/territorial display, it is highly unlikely that you will hear these at Brent reservoir (Snipe used to breed in the London area, but this would be a highly unusual occurence these days), and it certainly wouldn't be at this time of year.

Typically the only sounds that you do here from Snipe when they are not breeding are the short, scraping "aaack" call that they most often give when flushed ( XC64624 Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) | sound on xeno-canto/europe - with Mallard at start and booming Bittern in background!).


As for what you heard yesterday, could it have been the wind causing something to vibrate and make a sound similar to drumming snipe? I'm not sure what else to suggest!

on my cd of british bird sounds its the same call /sound on debs post but thanks for all that info ill have a nother listen

[Acipiter]

I have it on a 45 record from 1955 believe it or not.

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by RoyW

The sound at the start and end of the recording you linked is a Snipe 'drumming'. This sound is not a call, it is made by the wind passing through the tail (the outer tail feathers are held out slightly) as the Snipe dives.
Since this sound, and the 'tick-tock' call in the middle part of the recording are both part of breeding/territorial display, it is highly unlikely that you will hear these at Brent reservoir (Snipe used to breed in the London area, but this would be a highly unusual occurence these days), and it certainly wouldn't be at this time of year.

Typically the only sounds that you do here from Snipe when they are not breeding are the short, scraping "aaack" call that they most often give when flushed ( XC64624 Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) | sound on xeno-canto/europe - with Mallard at start and booming Bittern in background!).


As for what you heard yesterday, could it have been the wind causing something to vibrate and make a sound similar to drumming snipe? I'm not sure what else to suggest!

Hi Roy,

Thanks. I shall try and learn that one too.

I am more confused than ever. I really don't think it was the wind. I originally thought it akin to the call of a Great Northern Diver (I'm not saying I think it was one, but just it was a similar type of sound). The OH's first thought was 'it's like a donkey' (not being totally serious though). Sound is a difficult one. The way we hear and remember and associate it varies person to person, I guess.

Thanks anyway,

Deb

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Hi Roy,

Thanks. I shall try and learn that one too.

I am more confused than ever. I really don't think it was the wind. I originally thought it akin to the call of a Great Northern Diver (I'm not saying I think it was one, but just it was a similar type of sound). The OH's first thought was 'it's like a donkey' (not being totally serious though). Sound is a difficult one. The way we hear and remember and associate it varies person to person, I guess.

Thanks anyway,

Deb

Try little grebe:

http://www.xeno-canto.org/sounds/upl...oppingspel.mp3

Cheers
Jonathan

[faz]

i still think snipe have listend to it again

[Blizzard]

Originally Posted by faz

i still think snipe have listend to it again

It is Snipe in Deb's linked recording but I think she's trying to find something that sounds like it that she heard herself recently. Is that right Deb?

I can remember clearly the first time I heard snipe drumming. I had no idea what on earth the noise could be or what was making it. An amazing sound and quite eerie when you're on your own in the middle of nowhere, trying to find out where it is coming from.