Strange Noises At Night

[iamanox]

For the past week there has been a strange screeching noise outside my house in Yorkshire. It begins around 11.30pm and then finishes at dawn call-around 3.45am. It gets closer and further away quite quickly, so we assume it flies, but we're not sure. We at first thought it was a bat but dont they make high pitched noises that are beyond human hearing? We are stumped at what the creature is, and last night I only got 3 hours sleep due to its persistent screeching! Any ideas? Thank you.

[patrickstar]

Cud be a Nightjar. Check out the RSPB sight. Had one recently and took a few nights to discover wot it was.

[redman41]

Could be an Eagle Owl as they nest in Yorkshire as I watched a Programme on TV last year about them.
A pair of them were nesting on a Cliff ledge rearing youngsters and they were devouring all the Rabbits in this Farmers Field

[redman41]

It's not your neighbours having it off is it ? LOL

[iamanox]

haha my neighbours are pretty old...i dont imagine they have the stamina to keep it up for that long hahahahahaha

Definetly not a Nightjar, it wasn't screechy enough...but I think it is an owl. I listened to some noises and it sounds just like what I have been hearing...especially the call of the common barn owl.

Do you think the owl (if it is an owl) will just move elsewhere soon? We've had a lot of work done on our garden recently and I'm scared we might have disturbed a nest in on of the trees that grow by our garage.

[redman41]

Glad you have ruled the neighbours out !! LOL
I think it is almost definitely an Owl but it could be Long- Eared, Short-Eared, Tawny Owl or other. You might be able to spot the culprit especially on a clear night, although it might not be practical to stay up all night watching especially if you have work next day.

[iamanox]

haha i wont have to stay up, it'll wake me up if it starts its screeching again! I'll be keeping an eye out tonight though....I am desperate to know what is keeping me awake!! lol thank you for all your help!!

[Mr Veritas]

It's more likely to be a Vixen on heat screaming for a male.
It's quite eerie,sounds like a woman being strangled!

[Mr Veritas]

PS:~
Here are some sounds to help you~
Nightjar
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name /n/nightjar/index.asp
Eagle Owl
Scroll Down to Eurasian Eagle Owl
http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Bubo-bubo-1.mp3
Vixen
http://www.vulpes.org/foxden/sounds/fox-night- call.wav

[ELVIS68]

I agree with MR V and the vixen

[paraffin]

Mr V:

That's exactly what I thought when I saw this earlier but I wasn't confident enough to say so.

[dave123123]

the noises are probably from tawny owls calling to each other.their nick name is the screech owl hence the screeching noise they make when calling.definately not nightjar.

[iamanox]

I found the culprit!!
Last night, I was getting dropped off home by my friends, it was around midnight, and I could here it in my garden. So I did some detective work, took a torch and went up into my very scary, pitch black garden to find the source of the noise.
It was an owl. It looked kind of small though.
AND apparently people from all over the village have been hearing the strange noises too. Which makes me think this one bird gets around a lot or that there is a gang of them intent on keeping our village awake at night.
I now close my windows at night and have brought a fan to keep the air circulating in these very humid nights. So, I cant hear it any more, but can still stay cool.
Owl-1 Georgia-1 Result.
Thank you for all your help!!

[redman41]

Glad you have finally identified the culprit iamanox !
It's a Tawny Owl(s) by all accounts and they can make a hell of a din at times. There is probably a nest with Chicks in or around your garden.