I remember the 2021 Pyrenees record, but in the context of this post it didn't seem worth mentioning. I appreciate that there is no real black and white dividing line as to when inward/outward migration of any species starts or stops, which is why I was vague on that. Genuine question; Do these wintering Scops call all year, or is it a breeding season habit?
I don't have direct experience as in my area we haven't detected them yet. They call for sure, it is not well known yet the frequency of calls compared to spring & summer. Here you have some samples: Winter Scops Spain , check the ones from Pamplona or Santander, as the mediterranean ones could be early arrivals. Within Pamplona town and surroundings they have started to follow this wintering population last year, with the same methodology as their regular spring census (mostly sound contacts, as usual with this species). First census was carried at the beginning of january 2024 and they reported 21 individuals in 94 km total transects (estimated IKA roughly 6 times less than in spring). It is quite a decent number
It is not easy, mainly because of Merlin structure. You cannot do it directly from the app. First, you have to find the file in your phone, then upload it to Birdforum. Sound are recorded in Merlin as *.wav files, named as follows: yyyy-mm-dd hh_mm.wav They are usually placed in a folder called "Merlin" within "Music" folder in your mobile phone (that is for Android, in Iphone could be a little different ). There are some ways to find it, the best if you have a few files is directly searching for the day/month/ . If you have some in the same day then you coud check in MerlinID (pressing "My sound recordings") the one of your interest. Once located and saved conveniently, uploading it to Birdforum is easy. Just hit the "Attach files" that appears in the left lower hand when you are typing any message and follow the menu. *.wav files are allowed if they are not very heavy.
The sound approach has a good article on this: Eurasian Scops Owl - The Sound Approach. Things to look out for with Midwife toads is a lack of modulation in the call (it's completely flat)
Yes! I've also got a foto of an Eagle Owl, as I had to rescue it a couple of years ago.Like this?
XC953289 Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)
xeno-canto.org
but did you finally get a recording for us to hear?
Hi, toad call frequency changes a lot with body size. There is certainly overlap in frequency (pitch) between Iberian Midwife Toad and Scops Owl. The only consistent way to discern them is the modulation. Eagle Owl should sound nothing like either, it's a prolonged booming sound. A recording would clear things up immediately
Well done you - I've converted that to a louder mp3 (attached) for other members even though Tom has already answered
