Strange call, France near Chartres

[rolf]

Thought this was some type of warbler to start off with, but I've never been able to spot it and I would now lean towards it being some type of frog.

Does anyone know please?

Click here for Strange call

[Andy Warne]

Corn Bunting?

[rolf]

By George I think you are right Andy, thanks very much. There must loads of them around, as the fields are full of the song, just that I have yet to see one. Will head out early tomorrow morning to see if I can spot one.

It can be very difficult to identify a bird by song only, as one has no idea what to search for.

[rlchew]

I listened to your sound file and I have to say my immediate reaction was Corn Bunting too.

Richard

[Gill Catton]

Thirded!!

[Tursiops2]

I've tried following your link, rolf, all I end up with is an unresponsive web page and a paralyzed computer . Any idea why?
T2

[rolf]

No idea why that would happen T2, I've tried the site on IE5, IE6 and Firefox, works on all of them without causing any problems, it is simply an embedded quicktime player for the MP3.

You could try going to my site using my signature link and see if that gets you better results, I can however guarantee that there is nothing more sinister on there than Jpegs and the odd MP3 bird song file.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

I've tried following your link, rolf, all I end up with is an unresponsive web page and a paralyzed computer . Any idea why?
T2

Happened to me too, on IE. Didn't hang with Mozilla, but didn't play either! Can't find the file on your website.

henrya

[rolf]

Very strange, I've just tried it on another PC with both Firefox and IE5 and again worked fine on both, I've also just tried it with my ipaq and whilst the quicktime plugin doesn't work, clicking on the thumbnail downloads the audio file. the direct link to the file is this: http://www.wellenkamp.com/photopost/...47/unknown.mp3

[Ollie]

Most definitely a Corn Bunting. I hear and see them most days on the farmland around me. Their favourite perch at the moment is on the Oil seed Rape stems about twenty yards into the fields from the path and hedgerows.
Roger

[rolf]

Thanks Roger and everyone, will have to get the step ladder out in the morning then, as the rape is too high for me to see above this year. Great shame, as I was hoping to get some Grey wagtail action shots this spring with the big lens, only had the 150mm last year and everything was too far away, but of course a 500mm with teleconverter takes a lot of holding, not easy when perched on a step ladder.

Really shows the value of forums like this, I've now got and ID for the mistery birds and also been given an idea of how to catch a glimpse of them.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by rolf

Very strange, I've just tried it on another PC with both Firefox and IE5 and again worked fine on both, I've also just tried it with my ipaq and whilst the quicktime plugin doesn't work, clicking on the thumbnail downloads the audio file. the direct link to the file is this: http://www.wellenkamp.com/photopost/...47/unknown.mp3

That works fine. Thanks rolf.

Yes, Corn Bunting. Sadly declined in my part of Cambridgeshire. Must visit the place that I used to hear them several years ago to see if they are still around, but I fear not.

henrya

[Paul mabbott]

All intriguing stuff - but it would be useful to have it (also) on the Wild About the World forum ... maybe

[rolf]

Will possibly do that once I get a photo Paul, but my initial query was whether it was in fact a bird at all and it is not of similar quality to some of the submissions there. Unfortunately my time is limited, as I am only here until Sunday morning.

[rolf]

Well, went to great lengths to try and see one of these so far elusive birds, but to no avail in the morning.



Drove down the road for lunch and on passing the flatter lower fields a couple of kilometres away, they were everywhere, the one below was almost sat on the ground, unfortunately there was a bit of a haze.

[Gill Catton]

Wow!! fab I love these little birds, I don't see them often enough.

love the viewing platform!!!!

[rlchew]

Ah, the CB revealed itself at last for you .

That is some photography set up .... I thought I took enough out with me .

Richard

[GuyF]

You're lucky having so many so close to you. Today I saw my first ever Corn Bunting on Hod Hill in Dorset, nice birds and very nice calls.
Guy

[rolf]

Oh well, unfortunately I'll be back to England tomorrow night and will be leaving the Corn Buntings, Redstarts and Linnets behind, birds which I don't normally see in my area, but I do enjoy the open countryside here in france, so many birds.

The silly thing is that I was out this afternoon digging up wild onions on the tracks between the fields and on my way back, not more than 100m from the house, there was a Corn Bunting sat in the tree, making no effort to hide himself, yet I went for nearly a week without seeing one at all. Funny old world.