I've just checked, and it was the Conor Jameson article about nightingales. He does mention birds singing by street light (which I am obviously aware of), but makes a pretty strong claim that all birds that do not sing at night by preference shut up completely after dark for the reasons he gives. I think that probably a lot more birdsong takes place after dark in remote areas, but who is there to hear it?

Andy Bissitt wrote:

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Am just throwing this in for interest sake because I often read that birds go quiet after dark (there is such a claim in the last RSPB mag issue, I think). I once stayed in a B&B on the edge of Cors Caron Nature Reserve at Tregaron. Our room overlooked the reserve which began literally at the end of the guest house drive. On a perfect, still and totally dark night we were still able to hear sedge warbler, cuckoo, willow warbler and (perhaps not so surprising) spotted crake in full song well after midnight. Even though I've encountered many memorable sights and sounds in a near lifetimes birding, this will stay with me as long as any.

Does anyone else have stories/facts about birds singing after dark as I'm sure the experts are not spot on in their assertions.

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Which article was it? I'm sure this was mentioned as a general rule of thumb or perhaps a bit of peotic license? As it is clear to me that birds do sing in the dark esp. near to street lamps! Just ask my local song thrush!

Am just throwing this in for interest sake because I often read that birds go quiet after dark (there is such a claim in the last RSPB mag issue, I think). I once stayed in a B&B on the edge of Cors Caron Nature Reserve at Tregaron. Our room overlooked the reserve which began literally at the end of the guest house drive. On a perfect, still and totally dark night we were still able to hear sedge warbler, cuckoo, willow warbler and (perhaps not so surprising) spotted crake in full song well after midnight. Even though I've encountered many memorable sights and sounds in a near lifetimes birding, this will stay with me as long as any.

Does anyone else have stories/facts about birds singing after dark as I'm sure the experts are not spot on in their assertions.

Nev Wright wrote:

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Anyone know if Quail call at night while flying? I'm sure I heard a liquid like call last night, but it wasn't a 'wet-my-lips', but more like the abriged version??

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I'm afraid that's no Nev. They don't

Anyone know if Quail call at night while flying? I'm sure I heard a liquid like call last night, but it wasn't a 'wet-my-lips', but more like the abriged version??

Sorry should have added flying over Sale. Maybe I need a trip to Carrington with the insect repellent?

-- Edited by Nev Wright on Saturday 3rd of July 2010 09:16:16 PM

Similar noise heard this morning about 5am - constant piping calling as it approached and then faded as it went. I got up to forlornly have a look but with no binocs and sleep in my eyes I never saw a thing.

Have had a listn to bird song cd and it deffo sounds like a ringed plover in pitch, volume and frequency.

And spookily just noted the date of my first post ... almost exactly a year ago!!!

This could be the start of a new list for me!?!

Although I think I may have had my mind warped by all the noises I've been listening to, to my mind it sounded like a plover or some description ...aarrgh - the one that got away.

Common Sand have been in the area though

Deffo not Oyc.

The sound was consistantly repetitive w/o change in pitch or volume

heard a Green Sand over Chorlton centre last night at 23.35

Rob Thorpe wrote:

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Craig Higson wrote:

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they tend to be either redhank

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Red Hank? Who's he?

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Whip poor Will's brother

Craig Higson wrote:

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they tend to be either redhank

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Red Hank? Who's he?

I've heard quite a few waders over our house at night (not a million miles away in Ashton) and they tend to be either redhank, dunlin or oystercatcher. That probably doesnt help at all and, in theory it could be Northern Parula Warbler based on my crap interpretation of any written down bird call.

Oystercatcher?

Were the notes in groups of 3? If so try Greenshank...

I was awoke last night (4am) by a bird noise that gradually got closer and closer and then further and further as though it flew straight past my house (Moss Bank, St Helens). To my uneducated ears it sounded like a wader - I willnow attempt to describe the sound: singular note repeating of even pitch, tone and volume every 0.75 seconds - i would also describe it as a mid-range note I have listened to some sounds on the RSPB website and it sounds a bit like the middle sections of the dotterel and wood sandpiper.... Any ideas