Bird Song

[Robinia]

...I use the term song loosely - it's actually more of a bird drone!

Hi birdy people, 
Which bird 'sings' 3 notes over & over & over again?! Not funny at 5am when it's the only bird call. It's 'do-de-doooo' & the last note in particular is very flat - he sounds pretty fed up whoever he is.  

It's probably going to be something really common & I'm going to feel a real twit but I don't recall hearing it before.

[gen2]

My best guess from your description would be a collared dove.  They have a three-note coo that is repeated about 5 times before a short break and then starting over again.  A wood pigeon has a similar repeated call but of five notes - the 1st three the same as the collared dove with an extra coo-coo on the end.

[davidicus]

 It might be a collared dove

[Robinia]

Thanks but I should have said it's not a dove we have lots of those!!  It's a whistle not a 'coo' type call.

[Cetti]

Pigeons and  relatives are very selfish in the morning spreading their joy to those still asleep, so a Collared Dove sounds good, Robby.

Just to make sure have a listen:

http://tinyurl.com/73psr

[Cetti]

Yes, I thought you would know a pigeon's voice. On the same link try Yellowhammer as this has a depressed sound. Unless someone recognises these notes it could be a loooong wait as it is probably the call of a bird - and not the song.

Could you get out of bed, take a pic, then post it :-))

[Robinia]

I still don't think so Cetti, it's in the distance it's true & sounds can be distorted but I've never heard anything like it during the day yet.

 I would get up & try & find it but the sight of me at 5am in my chicken run nightie & flipflops is likely to scare the milkman.

[Cetti]

Perhaps narrowing it down a bit might help everyone, Robby. I

 believe you live in Derby, but are you urban, rural or bit of both?  Trees and bushes -  or again both where the mystery sound is heard?

[Robinia]

Bit of everything & as the crow flies we're not far from the Pride Park nature reserve.  Still very much in it's early stages but the Dartford Warbler paid a visit a while back!

I think 'the whistler' was probably in one of the neighbourhood trees but it seemed to be the only one awake around here!  Perhaps someone locally is 'carrying on' & it's their secret all clear call sign!  Maybe it is the milkman!

[Cetti]

I've just come home and have been looking at the Pride Park website and  now I see where your Reed Buntings come from. You lucky girl - what a fabulous place, and so close to you as well.

I'm sure you've noted the species found there, just so many so perhaps if you feel like it you could work your way through them using the RSPB site for the calls and songs - and I'll go through my tapes and CD's and some time next year one of us might come up with something!

Another very real possibility is that its a migrant on passage (or one of your neighbours up to no good!) which could make it a bit difficult. Let's give it a go anyway?

[Robinia]

Yes thanks Cetti - it might just remain an unsolved mystery.  I was going to get up this morning & come downstairs & have a better listen (assuming it was around) but I slept through what little dawn calling we have!  Sundays are very quite in this area but maybe I'll be woken early enough one morning in the week.  My neighbour, who hasn't heard it yet, said the same as you & that it might be just passing through.

Most of my immediate neighbours are 70+ so if there's anything going on good luck to them! ;-)

[Robinia]

Forgot to say that the first time I heard it there were 12 seconds between each call of 3 notes.  But the next time there weren't so many gaps - obviously getting it's hair off!