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Post by paulos on Oct 14, 2019 15:52:07 GMT -8
As I have been out owling before dawn or after dark in Creston in open grassy areas, usually near water, I have been regularly hearing an unknown bird sound. It is often heard overhead, usually meandering around. It is possibly a hunting owl. It is high and nasal, a bit like a high Caspian tern sound. I made a recording with my phone that is a bit fuzzy. You may need headphones to hear it properly. The sound begins right away, but blends into a "laughing" mallard in the background (it is not the mallard--that was in a different direction). Any ideas? I had considered owls, but the sound doesn't match any recordings I have been able to find. I also considered Bittern, but given one of the locations where I heard it, this is unlikely. Barn owls are numerous here, and I have heard them make an unexpected variety of calls. I am wondering if that is a possibility. I've also considered Barn and Short-eared owl, but no recording matches. The recording is at the bottom of this ebird list. Any ideas?
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Post by Ben on Oct 14, 2019 19:58:49 GMT -8
You mean the sounds at right before 4 and 6 seconds? I'm no good at audio identification so can't really help out. Seems your phone (?) makes a nice ticking noise though
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Post by paulos on Oct 16, 2019 13:57:03 GMT -8
Hey Jon. Yeah, the phone mic picks up itself quite nicely. I actually mean the sound around 1 second, just before the Mallard comes in. It may also repeat itself later (I don't have headphones with me at the moment to confirm).
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Post by KevinC on Nov 7, 2019 20:21:57 GMT -8
Any chance it could be the call of a distant Virginia Rail or Wilson's Snipe? I don't know if those birds usually fly around in the dark though.
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Post by paulos on Nov 11, 2019 13:12:18 GMT -8
Hi Kevin, yes, they are both possibilities. Snipe are known to fly around at night. It is probably a good contender, though I haven't found a sound that is an exact match yet.
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Post by KevinC on Nov 12, 2019 20:02:42 GMT -8
Hope you figure it out! I know how challenging mystery bird sounds are, being a fairly inexperienced birder. I wonder if there is a website where similar-sounding birds are listed...
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