A noisy night bird!

[BlackGarden]

It was about 4am just last night, and I heard a very loud repeated "ee-yoo ee-yoo ee-yoo" call. The "oo" sound was distinctly higher than the "ee". I have absolutely no idea what this was. Any ideas?

[New Forester]

Are you in the UK?

[fly258]

Barn Owl??

[Cetti]

If you are in the UK then there could be two possibilities, both of them owls unless it's an early Vixen having a scream. The Barn Owl can more than likely be discounted (do you agree NF?) as it's not called the 'Screech Owl' for nothing - and it's a bird of the open country. The Tawny Owl is the most likely contender as it's fairly common in towns now and the male has a wonderful atmospheric hooting song, much used in horror movies. He starts off with a 'hoo', followed by a pause, then a 'hu, hoo-oo' all shaky and quivery at the end. The Little Owl makes a sound that is nearest to the two notes you descibe. The male gives a high-pitched questioning hoot with an upward inflection. It is a country dweller, but is also in towns.

[New Forester]

Spot on, Cetti. (I actually saw a glimpse of a Cetti's last night -- they are singing well again now).

[BlackGarden]

Yes, I'm in the UK, in a rural area. Sorry I should have said. I don't think it was a Tawny Owl. I would have recognised it. I think the Little Owl is probably the most likely candidate by the sound of it. I wonder if I can find a recording of the call somewhere on the internet. Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

[Cetti]

This is a very good owl site with all the different species - and the sounds: http://www.owlpages.com/species/owl_calls.html

[BlackGarden]

What a brilliant site! It was definitely a Little Owl. Thanks for the link Cetti, and thanks again to everyone for all the suggestions.