We live on the NSW South Coast, just south of Berry, in a forested area close to escarpment. There is a screeching bird, appears to be migratory, that arrives early to mid-Nov each year, departing circa February. Starts screeching at dusk and screeches all through the night. Calls only occasionally during the day. Can't ever find it to identify visually. Any ideas?
Barn Owls screech, have a listen to the call on this factsheet.
Cheers, Owen.
Thanks Owen - definitely not an owl of any persuasion - have listened to them all, thanks - and I suspect it's migratory given that it only occurs from c. November to February. Otherwise, might it be a chick that starts to call as the adult(s) leave the nest for the night? It's very strident though! Maybe others in the Shoalhaven might be hearing the same thing at this time of year?
Anne @ Yellow Dog Cottage
How about either a young Channel-billed Cuckoo or Koel? I can't find calls of the young ones but I suspect it's one of these species. The young ones of these species make lots of noise and they are both present on the south coast of NSW around those times of year you specified.
Cheers, Owen.
Thanks Owen. Yes, may be possible - we don't seem to get Koels but we definitely have at least one pair of channel-billed around this year. I have also tried to find calls of the juveniles but can't - wonder if anyone else might know of any recordings? Anne
Anne @ Yellow Dog Cottage
sounds like channel-billed cuckoo to me too, is it a somewhat crazy measured call ending with a faster almost chuckle?
this is what it looks like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSu-4Rb0TNE
and this is how it sounds (the ending is not included on this track though)
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/factsheets/audio/scythrops-novaehollandiae.mp3
wakes us up several times a night, so absurd and irritating that it's somehow amusing!
Things get more curious - at dusk on Saturday a small brown / bronzish bird, c. 20cm, with green tips on wings, flew over, and then the calling started. When it moved, the calling moved. we only saw it fleetingly, but it looks to be what is making such a racket. Any ideas??
Anne @ Yellow Dog Cottage
Anne
We live nearby at Watersleigh (North Nowra ) right up along the river in the bush. Only occasionally I have heard a simillar noise but not sure what it is either sorry
Matt
Thanks Matt - will post if I have anything else that might help identification, and would appreciate it if you get any more clues now you know to look when you hear the call!
Anne @ Yellow Dog Cottage