First Prize!

On top of volunteering to run an owl route once a year and a frog and toad route three times a year, we signed up for a marsh bird survey. So now I am listening to the strange sounds of the birds of the marsh.  And there are some ridiculously strange sounds.  There is one bird, the American bittern, that wins first prize for the most ridiculous sound.  The other name for American bittern is swamp pumper because it hangs out in the swamp and sounds like a pump.  Listen for yourself and see what you think.

Seriously?  Is that bird making a mating call or is it about to be sick?  Bulimic bittern?  This bird call is so incredible. I really hope I get the opportunity to hear one.