Nocturnal birds?

littlebug

A bird flew out in front of my car last night. I don't think it was a bat (but never having seen a bat I wouldn't know:o). It was smallish, maybe greenfinch sized or slightly bigger and seemed pale-ish in colour. This was out in the country with no street lights anywhere near at about 10pm.
Any ideas what it might have been?

stevensi

Nocturnal and palish.... my first thoughts are a barn owl but the fact you think it was slightly larger than a greenfinch seems to rule that out....

Could have been a mistle thrush up beyond it's bed time!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Certainly not a bat at this time of year. I suspect it was some common bird that was disturbed.

littlebug

Thanks, probably a regular daytime bird up past bedtime then. I wonder how well they see in the dark?

boneless

I see fieldfares out at night sometimes, especially when they have just made landfall and need to feed. Maybe it was a late arrival?

Hammiepeters

Yes, or a redwing.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

By the OP's description it was too small for Redwing or Fieldfare.

donalglackin

i seen a blackbird and a robin the other night at about 2 in the morning on my way home from work.

littlebug

lol... could be anything really then:) Given that I only saw i for a second or two my judgement on it's size probably isn't all that reliable either:o

Funkyzeit

Maximilian Careful Windfall wrote: »

Certainly not a bat at this time of year.

Are bats not around in the winter at all? Was up in Roscommon recently and seen a couple of bats up near the River Suck?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Are bats not around in the winter at all? Was up in Roscommon recently and seen a couple of bats up near the River Suck?

While not uncommon it's certainly not usual. Particularly with the cold snap we have had recently I'd be surprised to see Bats about. Sometimes they can awaken if roosting in a house which becomes too warm for them.
Hibernation takes place from October/November onwards during which time a hibernating bat uses very little energy and its body temperature drops to 8-9°C. Individuals may wake up occasionally during mild spells to eat and to drink water. By spring bats gradually wake up to begin the yearly cycle again.

stevoman

id guess it was woodcock on the move. they spend their nights feeding and during the day they spend their time roosting in a place on the ground hoping not to be disturbed.