The weather cleared to provide us with a lovely evening yesterday, so I went for a walk up the valley. Perhaps townsfolk never notice, but there is a distinct evening chorus and last night's was lovely. Our eldest daughter always prefers to walk in the evenings, and now I see why. Anyway, I came across the most peculiar bird. I called it the Phantom Sheepdog Trials bird as I couldn't see it or identify it. Its call was 4 very strong whistles (wheat-wheat-wheat-wheat), then two long Football Referee type whistles (wheeeeeeee-wheeeeeeeee), and then a little short scold. A lady PST bird answered, not as piercingly, but softer and throatier. They were hidden in the middle of a stand of larches, and I haven't the foggiest what they might look like. I thought at first that it was mimicking the whistles, but it was a repeated refrain and the hen bird answered in a similar fashion. I've looked and looked through my bird books but nothing like it. Anyone? What I want to know is, where's Bill Oddie when you need him?
Thoroughbred mare and fal on a neighbour's farm.
View cross the sun-drenched valley.
More ferns unfurling.
A few bluebells in the woodland beside the lane.
Our river looked so beautiful in the evening sunshine. Really tranquil.
Wild Ramsons just starting to flower.
Sorry - this is meant to be longer but my internet connection is VERY iffy. Photos aren't loading now.
P.S. I "think" that the bird might be a Nuthatch, though the recording I've heard of a Nuthatch isn't like what I heard, so - dunno . . .
Thoroughbred mare and fal on a neighbour's farm.
View cross the sun-drenched valley.
More ferns unfurling.
A few bluebells in the woodland beside the lane.
Our river looked so beautiful in the evening sunshine. Really tranquil.
Wild Ramsons just starting to flower.
Have you discovered yet what the PST bird is? Lovely photo of your river, it looks, as you say, very tranquil.
ReplyDeleteBB i think that might be a chaffinch,I saw one the other day singing its heart out & it sounds how I imagine your description sounded
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I am sat here listening to the evening chorus right now,I have been desperatly trying to load a video on my blog of a songthrush singing its heart out for days now but it wont work arrgg!
Its such a lovely thing birdsong,its actually the loudest thing here most of the time lol!
GTM x x
It might be a Cetti's warbler
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I'm curious as to what your PST bird is, have you found out yet? Lovely pictures as always, the river is so pretty.
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