Twice today, I have heard a very unusual trilling song - almost more like an insect. Both times it came from the same area of hedge( in rural Devon), and when I googled ‘trilling bird song’, chipping sparrow is what it sounds like. Unfortunately no recording as I was without my phone, nor could I see it very well, but it seemed to be sort of sparrow sized.
(Apologies if this has already been posted, but something odd happened first time I tried)
I was unfamiliar with Chipping Sparrow song as it is an American bird so I had a listen on the Cornell All About Birds website.
It sounds to me very like the reeling song of a Grasshopper Warbler.
Anything like this?
https://xeno-canto.org/26936
They should be arriving from their winter quarters about now.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Many years ago one turned up on my local patch in Berkshire. I never even caught a glimpse of it so I just pointed the camera where the sound seemed to be coming from. This is the result using the video function.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Tricky little things to spot are GW as they tend to 'throw' their voices.
A good tip is if you hear one then try and turn your back on the call and then you'll have a better chance of locating it.
Sounds odd but by listening with your back to where you think the call is coming from and then looking around whilst walking backwards (be careful though) you'll have more success.
Yes - you'll look like an eccentric but it works, well mostly