The value of knowing your bird calls

[tigertom]

Befor going out today looking for birds I had been listening to the calls of the birds that I wanted to see and certainly paid of in the case of a lesser spotted woodpecker.
I knew they could be found on the site I was visiting but very hard to see, to try and give me an edge and a better chance of success, I had been listening to their call late last night and again befor leaving home this morning.
And it paid off with only my second ever LSW and some great views of a male
Having 1st herd it calling some way from were I was I managed to track it down to after 35-40 Min's {it was not calling very often} at the top of large tree just as shrike joined me it then dropped down to a lower branch and gave us some great views 15 yards or so away.
Will certainly be doing the same again next time when out looking for a specific bird.
Only wish it had stayed long enough still to get a good pic of it
MIKE

[Adam Cheeseman]

March is usually the best month to catch up with LSW by call if you know where they breed.

Cheers,

Adam

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by tigertom

Befor going out today looking for birds I had been listening to the calls of the birds that I wanted to see and certainly paid of in the case of a lesser spotted woodpecker.
I knew they could be found on the site I was visiting but very hard to see, to try and give me an edge and a better chance of success, I had been listening to their call late last night and again befor leaving home this morning.
And it paid off with only my second ever LSW and some great views of a male
Having 1st herd it calling some way from were I was I managed to track it down to after 35-40 Min's {it was not calling very often} at the top of large tree just as shrike joined me it then dropped down to a lower branch and gave us some great views 15 yards or so away.
Will certainly be doing the same again next time when out looking for a specific bird.
Only wish it had stayed long enough still to get a good pic of it
MIKE

I think these are absolutely cracking little birds. Well done Mike, well heard and very well spotted!

[Africa]

Recognising a new bird by call makes me feel very smug and often yields many rewards. Since I learned the Great Spotted Woodpecker "chip" call I have realised it is quite a common bird in my neighbourhood and I have managed good views. My favourite are mobbing calls though: common birds telling me that a raptor is about. Never seen a LSW though!

[Jersali]

[quote=tigertom;865034]Befor going out today looking for birds I had been listening to the calls of the birds that I wanted to see

Great bit of advice, must give it a try tomorrow - and well done, would love to see one...

[Shrike]

im trying to learn the common calls first but otherwise it is v.good advice

[monkeyrepublic]

The book/cd by Geoff Sample is good. I'm still a beginner in this.

Listening to calls on the internet in preparation for a recent trip to Germany led to a brief glimpse of a black woodpecker!