Animal Noises

[sonjia]

Last evening myself and partner were walking in a secluded location, by a hedge between a field growing sweetcorn and another just harvested of corn. We heard what sounded like extremely close and loud "heavy panting" noises. These moved along the hedgerow occasionally, and went on for an hour or more. No vegetation could be seen moving. I scanned the hedgerow with binoculars but found nothing, and we were unable to cross into the cornfield for a different view. I cannot find reference to any birds capable of these sounds. The only mammals seen were hares, rabbits and a squirrel. There were definitely no dogs around! Can anyone enlighten me as to what might have been making these noises?
I wouild love to know what I am looking for!

[Helen]

Hi Sonja

I have no idea what it may be, although a fox could be a possibility I suppose. It will be interesting to see what other members suggest!

Regards

[nightshade]

in relation to their size hedgehogs make an awful din (especially if they are mating under a fibreglass caravan gas bottle cover)

[StuartDH]

Hi Sonja,

I remember about ten years when I was sitting outside having a BBQ with friends, there was a lot of snuffling and grunting coming from a nearby hedgerow. None of us recognised the sound, but it turned out to be a hedgehog...literally making the sound of a hog.

Without any obvious signs of the undergrowth moving and the fact that it stayed around so long, I'd guess that it was probably a hedgehog that you could hear as well.

[sonjia]

Thankyou for your suggestions. I had not thought about the origins of "hedgehog" before, but if this is indeed the source of the sounds we heard I can quite understand how the word "hog" would be applicable! I am quite relieved that it might be so, as I like to walk this fairly remote area, and only my stubborn curiosity had kept me from leaving abruptly, with visions of some much larger and stranger creature about to cross my path!! I love to watch and listen for wildlife and take photos whenever I can, but yet I am still a person who cannot help but jump at the sight of an unexpected spider, or shiver at the sight of a rats tail passing my window!!

[StuartDH]

hahaha, it reminds me of a time when I was in training in the army and we spend our first night out in the woods. All the lads who were brought up in the city and were hardened by street living were absolutely petrified by the sounds of wildlife running around their tents.

I must admit, there have been times when I've been out in the middle of nowhere in the pitch black and even the slightest sound from a nearby bush has made me jump a mile. Once your mind starts to wander it's as though as soon as darkness falls, fluffy bunny rabbits turn into grizzly bears.