Hey Ospreyers,

I heard a strange call this afternoon from my neighbour's 
field.  I was unable to locate the bird, but got a couple 
recordings, available here as WAV files:

    http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/xfer/Unknown/

On file1.wav, the call is right at the end.  Same with 
file2.wav, except the clip is shorter (and better quality). 
Some notes: this is a *LOUD* call -- audible from the street 
in front of my house, while the call is originating from 
the other end of a large field (100 m?) *behind* my house.

Speculation follows (listen first to be unbiased):


...


Frankly, the sharpness and intensity of the call reminds me 
of Northern Bobwhite, except: 1) that would be pretty 
amazing here in Laurel (PG County); 2) it doesn't have the 
expected two-note quality.  Maybe Acadian Flycatcher?  But 
it's *so* loud, and on file2.wav, there's that very strange 
almost dove-wing like fluttering at the end (it wasn't a 
dove).  Other possibilities: Baltimore Oriole (except it was 
*only* making this sound, about once per minute, and never 
sang); unknown species; not a bird.  I'm stumped.  Help 
appreciated!  (Send off-list; I'll relay the consensus 
opinion.)

D

-- 
Derek C. Richardson, Ph.D. (CANTAB) ________
Astronomy, U Maryland, College Park MD 20742
Tel: Office 301-405-8786 Fax 301-314-9067 __
Home page: http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/ __