Nocturnal Bird Call ID in Virginia (2 Viewers)

[smapty]

I was doing some backcountry camping in Virginia this weekend at Shenandoah National Park, through which the Appalachian mountains run. We were in a very sparsely traveled area of the park (or so it seemed, judging from the fact that we saw only 2 other hikers on our path in 2 days) and, on one night, set up camp in a stand of oak trees with little underbrush about 3/4 of the way up a mountain. That night I was awoken by the very distinct call of some nocturnal bird which I had never heard before. The closest thing it resembled was a buzzsaw or vacuum - it went "vvvvvvv!" and lasted, unbroken for about 2-3 seconds. I wouldnt be able to accurately state the frequency at which the call was made. I had thought it was some sort of owl or something akin to a whip-poor-will or nighthawk, but I've listened to the songs of all of those birds listed in the park that fall under this category and have come up with nothing. Does anyone have any ideas as to what bird this was? I am open to the possibility that this was not a bird, I do know a bit about bird song and this sounded distinctly avian, in addition to the fact that it seemed to come from above, in the trees (I am sure it was not an insect). Thanks!

 

[The Falcon]

Have you listened to any of these:

Common Nighthawk
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Nighthawk_dtl.html

Whip poor will
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Whip-poor-will_dtl.html

Barred Owl
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Barred_Owl.html

Great Horned Owl
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Horned_Owl.html

Barn Owl
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Barn_Owl.html

Hope this helps o