Weird screaming noise coming from woods?

[brandenjg]

Hi everyone

I'm not sure if this is the place to ask but everyone on here seems closer to nature so i might get an answer.

Basically i live near woodland and for the past few nights i've been hearing what sounds like a woman or child doing very short sharp screams but its coming from inside the woods. I've ventured in with a torch but can't see anyone or anything that would make the noise. I wasn't sure if anyone had any ideas about what could make the noise. All i can guess is a bird or fox but sounds too high pitched and short compared to ones i've heard before.

Any ideas would be appreciated as screams when you're trying to get to sleep aren't the best thing.

P.s My family and neighbour have also heard it so it's not me being weird for once.

[brandenjg]

I recorded the noise and i've stuck the video on youtube. Heres the link

[Guest]

Yes, an eerie sound when you haven't heard it before and don't know what it is.

It's a fox, or more precisely a "Vixen's Scream", the second type of call on this you tube clip:

[mbird]

That could also be a Barn owl. They don't hoot or twit-twoo like other owls, but make a piercing scream noise.

[puddlejumper]

Humping Hedgepig ?

[Brian J.]

You are all wrong. It is a little owl.

[mbird]

You are all wrong. It is a little owl.

How can you tell how big it is? It's dark!!

[Julz]

Badgers also scream and kick up a hell of a noise when they are getting amourous lol, we often stay within the forests of the Sandringham estate with the Caravan Club, and its amazing the noises you hear during the hours of darkness there

Julz

[Guest]

The second sound track on the youtube clip I linked to, running from 35 seconds to 60 seconds in, is exactly the same sound as Brandedjg's recording.

I've heard enough of the damn things from my back garden to know it's definitely a fox !

[brandenjg]

I was hoping it wasn't a fox, but it is mating season so it makes sense. Hopepully it will find a male soon because its annoying me senseless

If it was a badger i would be scared, they're tougher to scare out of a garden

[MBA Marine]

Its most definatly a fox, we live next to woodland and a boggy comman. we here the fox call regularly. If you dont know what it is then its quite a horrific sound!