Hi, a newbie birder here!
This recording was taken the beginning of January around 12am(midnight) in southern Hertfordshire. The same bird was calling at the same time of night the previous year too. Dec-Jan is the only time period we have heard this call. I've tried looking up nocturnal migrating bird calls but I haven't been able to ID this bird.
It's not a great recording but the call can be heard roughly at 5s, 15s and 32s.
Hope you guys can help! Thanks in advance.
PS: I am not able to delete that m4a file form my post, apologies.
Play this audio clip
7026.Mystery bird.m4a
Sounds like a fox to me.
December to early February is breeding season for Red Foxes in UK ... all sorts of loud screaming and barking noises can be heard
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Same outside the back door to the Fox pub
My only thoughts are a Herring gull.