Woken at 11pm by loud cawing. Oxfordshire, UK. What is it? (1 Viewer)

[HarrietFL]

The noise of this bird woke me at 11pm last night in the Oxfordshire countryside. A loud, repetitive noise that sounds almost like a cross between a caw and loud breathing. It repeated without variation for about 20 minutes. Any ideas what it is? I am new to birding and it doesn't resemble any nocturnal animal I know!
View attachment IMG_6092.MOV

 

[Andy Hurley]

Doesn't sound like a bird to me. May be a fox that has been running, or a badger? Or even a human.

 

[HarrietFL]

Doesn't sound like a bird to me. May be a fox that has been running, or a badger? Or even a human.

Haha that is so embarrassing! But I think you're right, I've found my culprit: a fox. I'm used to their screaming, but not this repetitive call. I found this video on YouTube and it's identical to the first sound. Thank you so much--mystery solved! Sad that I didn't discover a rare new species of owl....

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum! I am sure that you will find lots to interest you here and I hope that you enjoy your visits.

It could be a muntjac. We get a lot of them here and they sound like your noise. The foxes round here tend to bark like a dog or scream. The link you’ve put up doesn’t sound like your recording.

 

[HarrietFL]

Welcome to Birdforum! I am sure that you will find lots to interest you here and I hope that you enjoy your visits.

It could be a muntjac. We get a lot of them here and they sound like your noise. The foxes round here tend to bark like a dog or scream. The link you’ve put up doesn’t sound like your recording.

Oh, that's definitely possible! I'm surrounded by muntjac. And thanks for the welcome, I'm sure I'll find some actual birds to post about at some point.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Harriet and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Butty]

I'd go for deer rather than fox.

 

[Andy Hurley]

I'd go for deer rather than fox.

A definite possibility. I heard a elk (wapiti) scream a warning to her family at a roadcrossing at night in Newfoundland. It was quite a sound and all the hair on my neck stood up! The OP sounds came across more like heavy breathing or snuffling to me, so I thought about what mammals might be about.

 

[pianoman]

I'd still be for the fox...

 

[Kits]

It’s definitely a muntjac!

 

[PYRTLE]

Another vote for a deer.