Man, fowl or beast - what made this horrible noise please?

Deb London · #1 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:11 PM

Can anyone identify this really awful noise?

Ahhhhoooooow.m4v - YouTube

Taken today in North London.

Thanks.

Hedgehoggy · #2 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:21 PM

Not man, nor fowl, but beast - Squirrel

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:24 PM

Wow, thanks HH.

I never knew they were capable of such a thing.

Farplace · #4 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:25 PM

Squirrel??? My squirrel has never made that noise (as far as I know).... But it doesnt sound like man or bird, so you are probably right.

Is it a warning call? Or what?
Jan

Hedgehoggy · #5 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:30 PM

They make that sound a lot in my garden, but I’ve no idea whether they’re calling or alarming. Whenever I've tracked the culprit down, there's only ever one squirrel to be seen, either sat on my fence or in one of the trees.

The first time I heard this noise I thought there was an injured animal in my garden!

artdemole · #6 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:33 PM

Christina had a thread Crying squirrel 03-10-2007 in case you may wish to look it up....aDm...

Deb London · #7 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:35 PM

Thanks all for comments and input.

I have been searching more clips on YouTube and have come across these comments by various users in response to a similar call/cry:

Quote:

He's not in distress. It's the way gray squirrels bark. He was just letting others know that he was awake, and watching his territory.
The alarm call is fast chatter, the distress is plain out screaming.

Quote:

aint no cry for himself it is letting know his pals there is danger nearby and it can be a warning to you you are to close to its nest. trust you me one "charged" at me because i got to close to its nest in my backyard. I survived.

A few minutes before I took the clip there had been an almighty ruckus involving a Tawny Owl, several Jays and about fifty Jackdaws. I've never heard Jays scream like this. This call wasn't in response to my presence I don't think. More likely the day-flying Tawny - that would put the frighteners on any squirrel I reckon.

Farplace · #8 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artdemole

Christina had a thread Crying squirrel 03-10-2007 in case you may wish to look it up....aDm...

Its here: Crying squirrel
But no audio.
Im amazed.... Im presuming we are talking grey squirrel, and mine has never made this noise, but he is secure in his home - no preditors or any danger, and no other squirrels close by. He is also neutered, so no sexual influence for my squirrel, either.

artdemole · #9 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 04:47 PM

Did a google as you do.----squirrel noise. that has some reference to add.

Dorts · #10 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 05:25 PM

At this time of year Squirrels are remakably vocal with a wide range of mainly 'chattering' calls, usually heard high in the branches as, presumably the males, chase one another endlessly around the treetops.
I have always assumed this to be marking territory.

However, the sound from this recording is not one I am familiar with, or associate with Squirrels.
Dorts.