Negative observations

[Bill W]

Hi All,
Here we are again...!
A beautiful night, 2016 06 4/5, with a few clear breaks to the north. However nothing seen through them!
Nature was out in full force. Owls hooting and screeching, foxes barking and some sort of songbird which was singing it's heart out the whole time I was out watching (~1.5 hours, 01.00 - 02.30 BST)
The pale moonlight lighting the ground added to the eerie feel. I don't know if there are any ornithologists on here that might have an idea what the bird was. Myself and Tom heard this type a couple of years back. That was the first and only time I'd ever heard anything like it.
It seems what ever it was it is back and it was really going for it! It seemed to be all sorts of tweets and chirps, made up a bit for the lack of NLC. As did the owl(s). I caught a glimpse of a ghostly white coloured barn owl sweeping right in front of the car as I pulled away when heading home. Quite brilliant.
Cheers,
Bill.

[James Fraser]

Hi Bill,
Sounds like it might be a Sedge Warbler they are fond of singing at night. Habitat (from The Birds of Scotland - The Scottish Ornithologists' Club) primarily breeds in lowland marshes and waterways, although avoids wetter reedbeds, but also utilises scrub, damp rough grassland, young conifers and even agricultural crops. Whenever I hear them there are usually brambles nearby.
You can find a recording of their song here: www.xeno-canto.org/365579
If that link does not work or you want other examples just google search 'xeno-canto sedge warbler'

By the way, The Birds of Scotland was a truly massive two-volume book - now out of print but the SOC have got a digital pdf version available on a cd (and you don't have to join them to buy it though it will cost a bit extra). It's worth it alone for the gorgeous pictures and info. www.the-soc.org.uk/birds-of-scotland/
Jimmy

[Bill W]

Hi,
Yep, that sounds like it! It was really going for it, I was surprised how loud the song was. Perhaps you can help identify another bird if you are an ornithologist.
This thing flies upwards then falls, making a really seriously spooky, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo as it descends. I did look that up but I cannot remember what it's called.
Normally hear that a bit later in the season but at the same site as the warbler.
When its a really calm night, as it was last weekend, the noises you can hear are remarkable. The acoustics are fascinating over that flat boggy area.
cheers,
Bill.

[James Fraser]

That sounds like it may be a Common Snipe - described in my 40+ year-old Popular Handbook of British Birds: "The well-known drumming or bleating flight may occur at almost any time of year but is regular from late March to Mid-June....and less frequent until the end of July. In performing it, the bird dives down at an angle of about 45° with tail spread, the descent being accompanied by a resonant, tremulous sound lasting about two seconds and caused by the vibration of the outer pair of tail feathers. The bird frequently climbs again to repeat the display over and over again."

www.xeno-canto.org/83881

soundcloud.com/hugh-harrop/snipe-drumming

That's the best guess I can make at the moment

Cheers,
Jimmy

[Bill W]

Hi Jimmy,
You are indeed an expert at this! Thats exactly it. I can remember the first night I heard it when I started to observe from that particular location. Really spooky sound as I had no idea it was a bird at the time. Just incredible to hear when you can't see the things.
Positively look forward to hearing them now, part of the whole ambience up on the "moor".
cheers,
Bill.

[James Fraser]

Hi Bill,
Glad to have helped. Certainly a spooky sound to hear in the night! NLC season is the best time of the year and those sounds make it even better. Astronomy and Ornithology - two wonderful hobbies with a common link being the use of binoculars.
Cheers,
Jimmy