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stratman
25-Apr-07, 07:34
Please forgive my attempt at description. There is a bird I have not heard before I moved here. It flies high and fast in large circles and figure of eights and makes a sound like a robotic sheep bleating down a long pipe. The sound also makes me think of the cartoon Roadrunner blowing a raspberry. Hope this makes sense. I have heard it in Reiss and Groats.

Ricco
25-Apr-07, 08:04
If it is mostly black and white whilst in flight and has squarish wing tips then I would say it is a lapwing. Can do some amazing aerobatics!

See: http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/lapwing.asp

stratman
25-Apr-07, 08:50
If it is mostly black and white whilst in flight and has squarish wing tips then I would say it is a lapwing. Can do some amazing aerobatics!

See: http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/lapwing.asp

Thanks Ricco
No I'm pretty sure that is not it. The song is completely different as I described and a single note lasting 1.5 - 2seconds. it flies high and no aerobatics I have seen. It has been too far to get markings or colour. I think I have only heard it early evening and twilight but could not swear to that.

WeeBurd
25-Apr-07, 12:26
By the noise you describe, Ricco, could it be a snipe, as discussed in an earlier thread (http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?t=23630)? No idea what it's flight pattern is, I just know it makes a funny noise!

stratman
25-Apr-07, 15:25
Snipe it is. Thanks Weeburd. The daft thing is I had read that thread.

The sound is here pm an url that Reghead posted.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/snipe/index.asp

Definitely a robotic sheep in a drain pipe:lol:.

Ricco
26-Apr-07, 19:42
Now, that is definitely not a lapwing! :lol:

spurtle
28-Apr-07, 11:08
Snipe it is. Thanks Weeburd. The daft thing is I had read that thread.

The sound is here pm an url that Reghead posted.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/snipe/index.asp

Definitely a robotic sheep in a drain pipe:lol:.

The snipe is known by the slang name of the "goat" in many European languages because of the noise, which is produced by vibrating some of the tail feathers. I have watched them do it, and it seems to need a trajectory of about 30 degrees downwards. You see them making a bit of height, and then taking that sort of downward flight, and the noise is produced.
They are nesting now, and I saw a most beutiful nest when collecting in some sheep - four eggs, with the pointed ends arranged into the middle of a perfect cup made of grass.