Identifying a bird: heard in rural areas, near water

[emmal87]

Good morning

Firstly, I am sorry for posting a request as my first post, I know the regulars among you must get a fair amount of similar posts - however, this is driving me somewhat insane and I must know what this critter is! I have had no luck with the RSPB identifier, usually my dependable source of bird knowledge. I love birds, but don't exactly know much about them.

Anyway..

I live on a farm in North Wales. Recently, I have been spending a lot of time on a lake situated on the property, which is surrounded by woodland. Each time I go there, I hear this bird. I have never seen it, despite trying for hours to spot what is making the noise.

Anyway, today I went for a walk - elsewhere, away from my farm - incidentally, around another lake. Lo and behold, I hear the same bird call.

I will now proceed to attempt to describe the bird call, prepare yourselves..

The bird in question utters it's call only once every few minutes, in short bursts. Sometimes, it will call once, and then fall silent. It is unlike any bird call I have heard before. If any letters from human language can mimic it, at best, I would say "B-rrr" comes closest.. I have been to the lake with my partner who remarked the bird sounded a little like a dolphin. I agree, although typing "UK bird that sounds like dolphin" into Google did not prove especially fruitful..

If any of you wonderful ornithologists could provide an insight, I would be most grateful.

Yours (in anticipation),

Emma!

[htcdude]

Maybe Greenfinch?

Try the 13th one down on here:

European Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) | on-line sounds from xeno-canto/world

0:55secs long, by G Boano in Italy.

Nige



PS Welcome to the forum

[King Edward]

Could it be something like a Moorhen? Where is the bird calling from - around the lake margin, in bushes / low trees, up in the treetops?

[~T~]

I would agree with King Edward. It sounds like a moorhen. They do have a sharp dolphin like call.

Have a listen to the recording on the RSPB site.

The RSPB: Moorhen

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by ~T~

I would agree with King Edward. It sounds like a moorhen. They do have a sharp dolphin like call.

Have a listen to the recording on the RSPB site.

The RSPB: Moorhen

Completely forgot about that call!

Moor-than likely it's that

Nige

[~T~]

Originally Posted by htcdude

Completely forgot about that call!

Moor-than likely it's that

Nige

Yeh I know it well. Many a time I have been fishing in silence only to have a concealed moorhen call only a few feet from me making me jump out my skin

[emmal87]

Evening guys.

Well, that definitely does sound like my feathery friend - on the RSPB audio clip - especially that one shrill dolphin type sound at around 5 seconds in.

Thanks for your help, everyone - now I just have to try spotting it!



xxx

Edit: Although it does sound very much like the bird is in amongst the treetops - is that likely to be a moorhen or something similar but not quite the same?!

[~T~]

Originally Posted by emmal87

Evening guys.

Well, that definitely does sound like my feathery friend - on the RSPB audio clip - especially that one shrill dolphin type sound at around 5 seconds in.

Thanks for your help, everyone - now I just have to try spotting it!



xxx

Edit: Although it does sound very much like the bird is in amongst the treetops - is that likely to be a moorhen or something similar but not quite the same?!

Yup they often hop about in the trees and sometimes even nest in them.

[RoyW]

I wouldn't say that Moorhens are likely to be in treetops, but they will feed on elderberries, blackberries and similar, and will sometimes nest several feet up in trees near water.

If it sounds like Moorhen calls, I'd think it more likely that they are hiding at the edge of the water somewhere and the calls just sound like they are coming from the trees.