Mystery critter noises at night (eat, yard, park)

[SeaLark7]

We have a "community pond" behind our house, and for the last two nights there's been the oddest noise in the back yard - it reminds me of the honking of a goose. At first I thought it was something mechanical outside the house, but when I opened the lanai door, the noise immediately ceased - and started up again a few minutes later. It's fairly regular, but not enough to really be mechanical, so I suspect it is either frogs or some sort of large bird. I did notice a dark-colored heron (or crane) in the area during the day. It doesn't keep us awake at night but it is audible inside. Any ideas what it could be ? I never heard that noise in Ohio....

[LingLing]

Perhaps, alligators are looking for mates.

[alsidw]

Originally Posted by sealark7

we have a "community pond" behind our house, and for the last two nights there's been the oddest noise in the back yard - it reminds me of the honking of a goose. At first i thought it was something mechanical outside the house, but when i opened the lanai door, the noise immediately ceased - and started up again a few minutes later. It's fairly regular, but not enough to really be mechanical, so i suspect it is either frogs or some sort of large bird. I did notice a dark-colored heron (or crane) in the area during the day. It doesn't keep us awake at night but it is audible inside. Any ideas what it could be ? I never heard that noise in ohio....

frogs !!

[wireyourworld]

The cranes and herons make some freaky noises like that. Alligators sound like bullfrogs. Could actually be a goose. Muscovies are everywhere.

[SeaLark7]

Thanks for the input. I didn't know alligators made any noise at all ! Unlikely to be gators, though, as there seem to be several critters in a chorus. From the sound I would say it's a bird, except I thought the only bird who is vocal at night is a mockingbird. If I find out what it is, I'll let you know !

[SeaLark7]

I did a Google search for "heron sounds" and came up with this YouTube page:
Black-crowned Night-Heron, Sounds, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
It sure sounds like what I am hearing. I didn't know there was such a thing as a night heron !

[LingLing]

Originally Posted by SeaLark7

I did a Google search for "heron sounds" and came up with this YouTube page:
Black-crowned Night-Heron, Sounds, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
It sure sounds like what I am hearing. I didn't know there was such a thing as a night heron !

Cool!

[SeetheUSA]

Night herons are down at the water's edge everynight when I go turtle watching. They are waiting for the hatchlings to come down and they eat them up. Needless to say, I don't like them!

[ILoveLidoBeach]

Here is a link for the gator mating call.


Alligator Mating Call - YouTube

Not sure if it is allowed to post that but it is cool to see.

[SeaLark7]

Wow, that sounds like something from Jurassic Park ! Happy to say that is NOT the sound I hear at night ! I am now beginning to change my theory, and think that it could be frogs, after all - there are just too many of them, and the more it rains, the more numerous the sounds. I could believe a handful of herons, but this is beginning to sound like a national convention of whatever it is !