Mysterious Nocturnal Bird Call (1 Viewer)

[Treacle's Mum]

Hi
I live in Sheffield on top of a hill (no surprise there, then) near woods and fields. The other night I was on my way to bed around 10:30 and I heard a very loud bird call which went on for quite a while. I have investigated this and what I heard sounds very much like a sparrowhawk; in fact what I heard could have been two birds calling to each other. I know that we have sparrowhawks in the area - there is one that visits our garden from time to time - but it seems odd that I should hear them at that hour - it had been dark for at least two hours.
Does anyone know if it could have been a sparrowhawk, or was it something else altogether?

 

[northernloon]

Hi Treacle, you can listen to some Sprawks here.

 

[Richard G]

What about Tawney Owls??

 

[northernloon]

Given the time of day owls would have been my first thought but usually a twit-twoo from the male followed by a kewick from the female. Maybe two females calling?

 

[Treacle's Mum]

I have been on the RSPB website and listened to many calls - owls and all sorts, and from that it still sounds like sparrowhawks. We also have tawnys living in the woods behind us and we hear them call regularly. Definately not them.
Wierd one, this, it seems :-/

 

[sulabassana]

Could it be little owls.