Was up very (!) early this morning and as its been very wet here,I did the feeders whilst it was still dark/just coming up to dawn so they had dry food for breaky - I spoil em don't I??? The dawn chorus was going and first bird came down 20/25 mins later.
As I passed our hedge there was noises coming from it!!!!! it sorta sounded like a cross between a cat purring and a pond of many frogs calling?
does anyone know what this was?
I think it may have been the blackbird on its nest but am not sure, I've not heard it before.
Thanks peeps
Lyndsey
I didn't get to be stupid by being blonde, I was stupid enough to pay to be blonde!!!
Hi Lyndsey,
Sorry I can't help but I too heard a similar noise in my garden the other morning. To me it sounded like either a frog or a woodpecker (not much difference there eh?) We have a boggy bit behind our garden bordering a wood so either could be a possibility(?) It had about 6-7 'taps' a time and lasted for about 5 mins.
I did see a woodpecker in our garden about 5 years ago - not a sniff since!! And the boggy bit does have frogspawn in it every year.
Really annoying when you can't identify a noise isn't it - makes me feel very ignorant - which is probably true!!
Good luck with your question. I am sure someone will be able to help.
Chez
You have no control over what life & people throw at you - but you have full control over how you deal with it!
It's a puzzle Chez.
We don't have a pond and neither do next door and I am sure it was coming from about 2 ft above the ground. Totally agree it makes me feel really thick and stupid and yet ......
I WANNA KNOW
what it was making the noise!!!!
LOL
I think a wren is supposed to sound a bit like a cat purring, and I guess that would fit if it was coming from the hedge - but maybe not from 2 ft high. I've never had a wren in my garden, though, so I'm very far from being an expert.
All the "birds by name" pages on the RSPB site have recordings of their calls, so I guess you could go through them all and see if you get lucky...
BB
Hiya
My little wren shouts me when she wants feeding, she sounds just like a little football rattle, but it goes on a bit, probably 10-15 'pips' per shout. The noise I heard was different as it was very regular between gaps.
yes Chez
I've just been out again - I don't sleep well and its 2.00 am. its almost like a snore on the in AND the out breath!!! Which of cors means there is a gap and its very regular!! (mdh springs to mind). I'ts quite a soft sorta sound too puts me in mind of chicken clucking, that sorta soothing type of noise???
isn't it hard to describe a sound?!!! LOL
It's definately off the ground, maybe 4ft high at most, certainly below my ear level But I've never seen a wren in my garden (don't mean they aren't there of cors) and I do know that the blackbirds nested in the hedge last year and I have very strong suspisions they are nesting there again this year which is why I thought blackbird.
BTW even at 2 in the mornng theres still a bird singing!
Badgerbread,
Thanks for letting me know about that site I didnt know it was there.
I've tried the site buts its only of a blackbird singing. Cos I am a newbie I've a couple of books which talk about alarm calls and the RSPB site does not have those for blackbirds. Tomorrow I think I wil call up the info line and ask they may be able to help!!! If I get an ansa I'll post it.
BUT it's a puzzle, thats for sure!!!
Hi Lyndseypops
I have heard wood pigeons roosting that make the sort of noise you describe. Sort of like a purring breathing in and out and very soft. It's usually when they are in a roosting tree sleeping.
Best wishes Chris
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I'd say you were spot on with the blackbird, they have a wide range of calls. Some of the most commonly heard include a high pitched 'peep' and a rolling cascade of 'ticks'. From what you describe it sounds like one of their alarm calls which is a slow and repetitive 'chup' sort of sound. I hope that helps!
I agree, it is incredibly hard to describe sounds but credit where credit is due, top effort!
Warden Intern at Otmoor.