voices on the internet

[Henrik Hestbech]

Ahoy.

I've been searching for the voice of the american bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, but I can't find it - does this site have the voices hidden somewhere, or could anyone help me find the voice somewhere, pls? :h?:

Henrik, Odense, Denmark

[Henrik Hestbech]

Doh, I don't know what I was searching for - anyway, I found a few sites, sorry to have bothered you.
http://www.naturesound.com/nsas/audio/bittrn.ram
http://livingthings.narod.ru/Snd/snd.htm

However, I would like to hear what experienced "friends of the american bittern" think of the recordings I found - are they representative or way off?

- Henrik

[RichUK]

Henrik,

I don't think I've ever heard Botaurus lentiginosus before so I can't help you with that. However, just for your info in the future, there is a section on this site that has a list of bird songs. It's under the 'resources' link at the top.

Rich.

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Rich,

Almost all the birds currently on the BF sounds list are European - so not a lot of use for American species

Michael

[Henrik Hestbech]

I found the resources link (it's well hidden though, I think ). Yup, theres no recording for the american bittern.

I'm asking, because I'm contemplating going on a trip tomorrow (around 280 km ... both ways - 560 km in all..) listening for this bird - it's here in Denmark on its 4th year.

As I'm pretty inexperienced as a birder - around 180 species, been birding 2 years - I don't want to go, if it's too hard to distinguish it from our own bittern.

- Henrik

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Henrik,

Sorta guessed you might be heading up to Bygholme Vejle . . .

The first of the two links you posted, I couldn't open, the second sounds just like a tape I have with American Bittern, so it is probably typical - note the three-part call, "qulp-qu-bulp", quite distinct from European Bittern.

Good luck if you go - has anyone ever actually seen the bird? From what I've read, it can only be heard (and only with the wind in the right direction!), at a range of about 2km, as it is in a sanctuary area closed to the public.

Michael

[RichUK]

Hi Rich,

Almost all the birds currently on the BF sounds list are European - so not a lot of use for American species

Michael

Yep, realise that Michael - just replying to the question 'is there a list on this site'.

Rich.

[Henrik Hestbech]

Hi Henrik,

Sorta guessed you might be heading up to Bygholme Vejle . . .

The first of the two links you posted, I couldn't open, the second sounds just like a tape I have with American Bittern, so it is probably typical - note the three-part call, "qulp-qu-bulp", quite distinct from European Bittern.

Good luck if you go - has anyone ever actually seen the bird? From what I've read, it can only be heard (and only with the wind in the right direction!), at a range of about 2km, as it is in a sanctuary area closed to the public.

Michael

Tomorrow the authorities have given permission - this day only - for birders to go into the sanctuary to listen. I'm new as a birder, so I don't know the exact history of the bird - I also don't know whether anyone has actually _seen_ the beast this year (I don't think so, though).

(first I wasn't planning to go, but the sound is so neat that I'm reconsidering.....)

[Michael Frankis]

So what are you doing up on the computer at 02.30 in the morning with a long journey ahead of you! :eek!:

I'm bad enough at 01.30 here ;)

Michael

[Rasmus Boegh]

Yes, the recordings you have found are fine; at least compared to the relatively few American Bitterns I have heard in the wild & also the tapes I have. Haven't tried for the Danish individual, and - perhaps due to laziness ;) - don't really care as I have had good views in the US of several individuals...

Anyway, I will wish you good luck...

[Rasmus Boegh]

Anyway, as far as I know, only a few (don't know the exact number, but believe it to be less than 10) have actually seen it in the period it has been in Denmark. However, it has been heard be relatively many, incl. several times this year.