Hi there!
I hope you can help me with identifying this bird - it's driving me mad not knowing!
I live in Stevenage (Hertfordshire) and keep hearing this bird that sounds like really loud marbles clicking together. My house backs onto a small woodland area (just in case this helps identify the bird!)
I keep looking out to see if I can see a bird I don't recognise to look up the sound on here, but never do. Can anyone help?
Hi Danibaby and welcome
It sounds like a stonechat, but without a description, it's a bit hard to id! Keep looking and let us know if you see it.
Hi Rach!
Thanks for replying! It's so frustrating. I have ID'd all the birds I see in the garden and have matched their song to each one. This bird is obviously shy! Lol. I'll have to try and Google the description and see what that comes up with......
Welcome to the forum, Danibaby.
My first thought would be stonechat too, but I think they favour more open country (scrubland, heaths etc.) rather than woodland.
Stupid as this sounds, I wonder whether it could be a starling making the noise? They are excellent mimics, and have a whole range of sounds, including clicking ones. Starlings would certainly be capable of making the noise you describe.
Failing that, it could be a crow with one of those executive toys...
BB
Maybe it's a great spotted woodpecker.
"Chick!"
???
:-)
Andy
Badgerbread, the end of your reply had me really laughing! I've not got images of a crow in the trees with a football rattle now!! Hahaha.
I've listened to a Stonechat, and although it's very similar to what I hear at the back of my garden, it's still not quite right.
I've learned something new with regards to Starlings....I didn't realise they mimic other birds! Thanks for that info.
I'll just have to continue keeping my eye out for any new birds I haven't seen yet and see if I can close the file on this one! :-)
One last thing.... this marble clicking bird I hear never appears in the morning or through the day, it's always late afternoon I hear it. I doubt that's anything significant, but you never know!
Thanks again ;-)
Danibaby
Andy - you made me laugh with your reply too!! Haha. I've seen a great spotted woodpecker in my next door neighbours' garden about a month ago. It's GORGEOUS!!!
Hi. i think the bird you heard is a male black cap.
Hi Silent Night!
Oooo, I'll check that one out! Thanks!
I may be being a little obvious but It may be an agitated Robin?
They tick quite loudly, and the sound is very different from their song, as they usually sit inside a bush whilst doing this are not always seen.
Just a thought,
H
Or an agitated Wren